The Art of Safe Riding

Riding in a group can be fun. A well co-ordinates group on the road is a sight to see. and riding as a part of a group gives each rider a sense of camaraderie and security of numbers.

To make a group ride the pleasant affair that it is, there should be a system of riding that is agreed upon by all its members. The riding formation, signals for communicating when on the move, handling of novice members by the experienced members and tackling emergencies should all be a well rehearsed routine for a cohesive group. Prior to every ride, the group should get together to discuss the route details along with any new issues of relevance to the ride apart from rehearsing the existing system. In an order of subject, the following things are worth working on before any and every group ride.

Remember, you cannot enjoy tomorrow's ride unless you live through today's. And it is the responsibility of each person in the group to ensure that everyone does just that. 

The responsibility

Responsibilities of the Group Organizer/Leader

• Review where we are going and what route we will be taking. Also talk about the distances that are expected to be covered between breaks. 
•  If practical, the members of the group should be provided with a map and/or route description.
• Describe how to handle lane changing. Discuss way-points along the day's ride that could work as converging points if the group splits apart. Exchange mobile phone numbers, if any, to get in touch in such a contingency.
• Specify, demonstrate and explain each hand-signal that would be used.
• Determine the riding experience of everyone who is new to the group, brief him specifically about things other experienced members take for granted (combining tasks on stops, drinking water frequently to avoid dehydration etc.).
• Assign (to new people only) 'SLOT' positions that they are to ride in until the leader (who rides behind to assess their riding) is satisfied with their abilities to handle their bikes
• Invite all the riders to do a 'walk around' their bikes to ensure all is in order and then to take a quick look at the bikes on either side of them for the same reason.

At a minimum, this information should be provided to the sweep rider (the last rider of the group who is responsible for assisting anyone who stops along the route due to mechanical or other difficulty) and a few additional experienced riders who can take the lead of any group segment that becomes separated due to traffic flow. The leader and sweep rider must establish a means of communication such as cell phones or c.b. radios in the event that the sweep rider must stop to provide assistance to someone.

Responsibilities of Group Members

• You, the group member, must assess the limits defined by your own riding skill level and the capabilities of your motorcycle. If you exceed either during the ride, you compromise your own safety and that of the other riders in the group.
• Each rider must assume total responsibility for the safe operation of his or her own motorcycle. 
• You must not assume that you can safely pass or enter an intersection just because the rider in front of you did so.
•  Each rider must prepare mentally and physically for the ride. Motorcycle riding always requires an alert mind. You should never operate a motorcycle when your alertness and judgment are impaired by the effects of alcohol, drugs, high stress levels, or lack of sleep. Even prescription medications and excessive caffeine consumption can negatively affect concentration.
• If the trip is long, each rider must assess his or her own physical stamina to endure long stretches of exposure to heat or cold, wind, rain, or other conditions.
• Each group member should wear appropriate riding gear to provide comfort and protection. Be aware that your motorcycle handles differently when it is burdened with the extra weight of the baggage that a long trip requires.
•  Know the universal hand (and foot) signals used by motorcyclists to communicate with other members of the group.

The T-CLOCK checklist serves as a handy reminder of the items to inspect prior to a group ride.

T = Tires and wheels
C = Cables and controls
L = Lights
O = Oil and fluids
C = Chain and chassis
K = Kickstand
It’s always a good idea to equip your bike with a toolkit and first aid kit. Now that rider and bike are ready, it’s time to rendezvous with the group and get the ride started. .

The 2 second rule

Safety is of paramount importance and the most significant commandment being 'Thou shalt not hit the bike in front of you'. Riding at a safe distance means following the '2 second rule'. Each bike follows  the one in front separated by a distance it would cover in 2 seconds at that speed and under the road conditions the group is riding in. 

The '2-second Rule', in other words, provides 1 full second of distance between bikes in order to provide sufficient time for following bikers to recognize and react to unexpected threats. So, if all the riders in the group have roughly similar skill levels, no matter what the rider in front does, the one following should be able to avoid hitting him. Since gravity either aids or detracts from the ability of your brakes to stop your bike based on whether you are on an incline or a decline, following distances must be significantly increased to maintain the safety margin if you are riding downhill - and the steeper the slope, the wider those distances should be.

Hand Signal while riding

Riding in Formation
When riding in a group, there are three basic formations: staggered, single-file and side-by-side. On certain rides, you may be required to use two or more of these formations, depending on the situation.
Double file formation -This is one of the most common group formations in which the bikes are lined up alternately on both sides of the lane with 1 and 2 second rule applies.. , usually on interstate Highway.

Staggered Formation – This formations should used under certain condition only in which the bikes are lined up on both sides of the lane, with the lead bike on the left side of the lane, the next bike on the right side of the lane, and the next bike back on the left side, and so on, with a two-second space between you and the bike directly in front of you. For you math wizards, yes, that means there’s a one second interval between you and the bike on the opposite side of the lane in front of you. This type of formation keeps the group close together and maintains a safe amount of space around each bike. Increase your space cushion in bad weather to avoid road spray and give you more time to stop. The reason the lead bike rides on the left side of the lane is so they can safely see around any vehicles in front of the group they may need to pass, and to also see any vehicles that may be approaching from behind the group in the opposite lane.

Single-File Formation – This formation is most commonly used when riding on winding roads so you have the entire lane to safely negotiate each corner without worrying about someone riding too close to you on the opposite side of the lane.

single file on twisties

 Remember to maintain at least a two-second space between you and the bike in front of you so if one rider goes down they don’t take down the riders behind them. This is also the proper formation when approaching a vehicle or obstacle on the side of the road. When riding in a staggered formation and this situation occurs, the leader should give the proper hand signal and everyone moves into single-file formation until they have passed the obstacle and the leader gives the proper hand signal to return to staggered formation.

Side-by-Side Formation– When riding side-by-side, you reduce the amount of safe space between you and the bike next to you. This type of formation should be avoided, except in rare circumstances. The only time I’ve ever ridden in this formation is when your group is riding in heavy stop-and-go traffic or during a police escorted ride or parade. You often see motorcycle police officers riding in this formation, but personally, I think it’s a bad idea even for them. 

Keeping the Group Together
If you are leading a group of riders, it is your responsibility to look ahead in order to make proper lane changes. When you are ready to change lanes, signal early so those behind you have plenty of time to prepare for the maneuver. You should change lanes as early as possible so everyone has time to complete the change.

Racing...safe it for track day only

It is often suggested that inexperienced riders be placed toward the front of the group so the more seasoned riders can keep an eye on them and help out if needed. In many groups, the tail gunner, tail-ender, or whatever you want to call the last rider in the group sets the pace of the group. When riding in a group, keep your eye on the person behind you so if a rider falls back, you can slow down a little to prevent them from dropping too far behind. If everyone uses this technique, the group will maintain a steady speed without creating, what I call, a rubber band effect.

Passing in Formation
On a freeway or interstate, passing is relatively easy. The lead rider should time the lane change so that as many motorcycles as possible can pass as a unit. Even if the group becomes segmented in traffic, it is relatively easy to re-form when space is available. On two-lane highways, passing requires increased caution. No rider should pass in an area where passing is prohibited according to signs and highway markings. 

In order to pass, each member of the group should signal, establish position in the right-hand portion of the lane, make sure traffic is clear, complete the pass, resume position in the stagger, and maintain sufficient speed to make room for the following motorcycles.
When riding in a staggered formation, as the group approaches a slower moving vehicle, you should pass one at a time. When it is safe to pass, the leader should pull out and pass, and maintain their position in the right-hand side of the lane. After the leader has successfully passed the vehicle, the second rider should move into the right position and pass the vehicle when it is safe. After passing the vehicle, the second rider resumes their position in the left-hand side of the lane behind the leader.

Stopping in Formation
When it is time for the group to stop at a rest area or restaurant, all riders should stay in formation and wait for their turn to park. One rider out of place can disrupt the flow of traffic and create confusion for the other riders. If possible, you should always try to stop at gas stations and restaurants on the LEFT side of the road rather than making right turns across traffic. While this is not always possible, it is a good practice. To keep the group moving, everyone should stay together and not wander off too far unless you know when the group is planning to hit the road again. Maybe it’s just me, but I hate riding in a group with people who dilly-dally around when refueling or stopping to eat. Personally, I think it is disrespectful of the other riders, and other than riding too slow, this is the next item on my list of group riding pet peeves.
Your preparation, skills, and knowing your responsibilities is the key to making this social form of motorcycling fun for everyone. If done right, group riding can be one of the most enjoyable social activities in which you can participate as a rider. 

Leaving the Group
A rider who plans to drop out should notify the lead and sweep riders of his or her intentions. Risk involved in separating from the group is minimized by riding near the rear of the pack. Opinions vary as to whether or not the group should “re-stack” to eliminate the gap created by a departing motorcycle. If the gap is to be filled, each rider, in turn, should signal and carefully switch to the other line. The gap should never be eliminated by moving forward past the rider in the other line to the left or right. My opinion is that the space should remain vacant until the group comes to a stop. This eliminates the collision risk inherent in switching lines.

Becoming Separated from the Group
A rider or riders who are separated from the group should not exceed posted speed limits in an attempt to catch up. If plans have been adequately communicated, riders have information as to the next stop. It is a good idea for each rider to have a “buddy” in the group who can notify the leader if he or she is missing at a stop along the route.

Roadside Emergencies

leave it to ProRider

In any group, there is a possibility that one or more riders may be involved in a crash or be forced to stop due to mechanical or other difficulties. The text indicates that all of the following riders should stop, but that is not the practice that is observed. The entire group should proceed to a place where it is safe for all to stop off the roadway, with the exception of the sweep rider and anyone in the group who is qualified to assist in a medical emergency if one exists. The driver of the chase vehicle, if there is one, should also stop if it is safe to do so.

Hazards
If there is a hazard in or near the road, the group leader should signal for the group to slow down. If it is appropriate to form a single line to get past the hazard, the leader gives the appropriate signal, and each rider signals and moves into single-file formation until the leader signals the return to stagger. Obstructions or slick spots are pointed out to following riders using the left or right foot as appropriate. This allows riders to keep both hands on the handlebars.

Parking
The leader should select a parking area that permits riders to pull through, if possible. Parking head-in or downhill should be avoided.

Communication
During the ride, the leader should attempt to keep everyone informed as to any changes in plan that was presented during the meeting at the beginning of the ride. It is often advantageous for riders of motorcycles equipped with citizens band radios to monitor a common frequency. Members of the group should exchange emergency contact phone numbers, just in case.

Conclusion
Group riding is a great way to share the joy of motorcycling with friends or to meet new riding companions. Every member of the group shares the responsibility for keeping everyone as safe as possible. As a participant in a group ride, you are responsible for adequately preparing yourself and your motorcycle, riding in a cautious and predictable manner, following established procedures, and remaining alert at all times.

I hope you will find these ideas helpful for future rides. Have fun!