[Preparation]     [Basic Formation]     [Highway]     [City]     [Stop Signs/Lights]     [Hand Signals]
[Drop-Off Riders/Problems]     [Accidents]

An important point to remember is chapter rides are not races. We are not under a deadline to get to our destination. Keep your speed to the posted limits or no faster than general traffic flow.

PRE-RIDE PREPARATION

• Be sure you have a full tank of gas and have checked your oil, tires, lights, and chain/belt.   See T-CLOCK
• All road captains and the ride leader will have a pre-ride meeting to discuss the route, rest stops, riding positions and regrouping stops when traveling within city limits.
• The safety officer or road captains may prohibit a rider from riding with the group, or move a rider to the rear of the group, if the rider's motorcycle is thought to be unsafe.
• All road captains should carry a small first-aid kit and water. We recommend that everyone should carry a first-aid kit if you have room.
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• If you have any health issues - make sure that the road captains are aware of these.

BASIC INFORMATION

Ride in a close and safe staggered formation with the lead Road Captain in front and closest to the center-line of the lane. A minimum interval is 2 seconds,  between riders. The Lead Road Captain will signal for a single file formation on winding or narrow roads.   The Lead Road Captain will give all hand signals for switching between single file and staggered formation.   All riders are requested to pass the signal down the line so all riders are aware of the formation change.

New or less experienced group riders should be position where they are most comfortable with more experienced riders intermixed with the less experienced riders.   Any rider who feels they are new to group riding or less experienced should let the road captains know so that they can be helped/given advice and made to feel more comfortable.

If a rider wishes to leave the ride before it is over, the road captains must be notified.

HIGHWAY     Show: Formation Riding

Use a staggered formation with 2 second intervals between you and the rider directly in front of you and one second between you and the rider to your side.  This interval should be increased for increment weather or bad road conditions.

If there are a large number of riders, break the formation into smaller groups of riders. Each group should have a lead rider appointed from the available road captains before the ride begins.

When other vehicles wish to enter or exit the highway in mid-formation, riders should slow and provide an opening to allow the other vehicle safe entry/exit. After the vehicle is through, close the formation.

CITY

Identify locations that the formation may use to regroup if separations occur while riding through the city.  Riders who are separated should continue on the route following all laws and riding within their abilities  until the next scheduled stop or they have re-joined the group.

A staggered formation should be used in City riding unless the lead road captain indicates a single file.   Riders should never ride side by side except when approaching a stop.

STOP SIGNS & LIGHTS     Show: Group Stopping
Do not block an intersection to allow a full group to pass through without stopping. Do not make a turn on red while leading the group. Wait for the light to change to green so that the entire group may stay together.

When coming to a stop it is recommended to be side by side to lessen the space needed to keep the group together.   

When the group proceeds from the stop, the left rider moves first with the right rider following, all riders continue in this manner thus renewing the stagger formation.   Riders must not ride side by side.

HAND SIGNALS     Show: Hand Signals

For safety, we will use clear and deliberate left-hand/arm motions as signals to communicate while riding. We will use the standard hand signals, as defined in the DMV Motorcycle Drivers Handbook, for left and right turns and stop/slow. Generally, use the following signals:

Form a single file - LEFT arm extended straight up, closed fist with first finger extended up.

Form a double file - LEFT arm extended straight up, closed fist with your first and fourth fingers extended.

Hazard (Left Side) - EXTEND your left arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard. (Left foot can also be used.)

Hazard (Right Side) - EXTEND your right leg at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.

Need gas - Point to gas tank with LEFT arm, keep arm extended enought to be visible.

Need food - Point to your open mouth with the index finger of your LEFT hand.

DROP-OFF RIDERS/PROBLEMS DURING THE RIDE

If a rider develops a problem, the rider should signal the problem and move to the side of the road. Following riders should open a space in the formation to allow the disabled rider to exit the group.

The sweep road captain should assist the disabled rider. The rider in front of the sweep should also stop with the sweep.  After looking at the problem, the rear road captain will send this rider ahead to let the group know what is going on and the group should stop at the next safe parking area. At least one rider should stay with the disabled rider.

After correcting the problem, the rider should rejoin the formation at the rear. 

ACCIDENTS

Suspend the ride and render aid or assistance. Usually there is not enough area for all riders to safely stop in one spot. The lead road captain should move all unnecessary riders ahead to a safe parking area and wait for the sweep road captain.

If the lead riders are unaware of the accident, the sweep will assign a rider to ride ahead and inform the lead road captain to pull off and regroup. The safety officer or sweep road captain should record and report events at the next officer's meeting.

All road captains should carry a small first-aid kit and water. We recommend that everyone should carry a first-aid kit if you have room.

More on Biker First Aid Kits