Rules for Group Riding

Many people enjoy riding in a group. There is the camaraderie of sharing the riding experience as well as the opportunity to make new friends with a common interest. Riding in a group also presents its own set of challenges. The following tips come from a number of sources. Following these tips can make the experience more enjoyable as well as safer. 

Pre-Ride Tips

Prepare a map of the route and distribute it to all riders. This way everyone knows the route and can catch back up with the group should they become separated. Identify rendezvous points and times along the route so riders know where to re-group should they want to separate from the main group and take side tours.

Group leaders should have ridden and be familiar with the route prior to the group ride. 

Plan to avoid gravel roads, drives, and parking lots. No one likes gravel, especially novice riders and people riding two up.

Avoid left-hand turns at gas, food, and rest stops. Left-hand turns require that riders cross traffic to get into their lane. Right-hand turns are easier because they bring riders into the flow of traffic. Right-hand turns help insure that the group stays together.

Plan gas stops no more than about 100 miles apart. Some bikes have small gas tanks or low mileage and 100 miles could be a stretch. Also, many riders and passengers may lack the physical stamina for long distance riding.

Allow plenty of time for gas and rest stops. It will take several minutes per bike for each rider to fill his or her tank and pay for gas. In addition, riders and passengers will need time to visit the rest room. 

If you have more than 6-8 people in your group, call ahead to restaurants so they can prepare to seat a large group.

Inform all potential riders to check the serviceability of their motorcycles. A group ride is no time to break down. 

Determine in advance what the rules of the ride will be and inform everyone in the group that they will be expected to comply with the rules. Habitual rule violators should not be welcome at future rides. 

Respect the skill levels of the different riders in your group when planning the route. Don't take novice riders out on the interstate or on twisting routes with many challenging curves.

Avoid large groups. Groups over 10 bikes can be cumbersome. It may be better to break up into smaller, more manageable groups.

Forming Up

Identify a site where the group will meet up prior to the ride. 

Set a departure time and then inform riders that the group will begin forming up 15 to 20 minutes prior to departure. 

Inform all potential riders to show up to the ride with a full tank of gas, a full belly, and and empty bladder. The full belly is not necessary if it is a dinner ride.

Introduce the ride leader and the tail rider. 

Allow enough time to distribute maps, discuss the rules, review hand signals, answer questions, etc., before departing. Familiarize everyone with the route and with scheduled stops.

Collect money for tolls, entry fees, parking fees, etc., so that the leader can pay once for everyone instead of each individual rider having to pay separately. This can save a lot of time and inconvenience at toll and ticket booths.

Assemble riders in a staggered formation. Riders should plan to maintain a two-second interval behind the bike that is directly in front of them and a one-second interval behind the bike to their left or right. More inexperienced riders should ride near the front of the group. More experienced riders should be positioned near the rear. (Note: Veteran riders who are new to group riding should be considered inexperienced riders.)

Use the buddy system. Each rider should have a designated partner. These riders will stay together at all times and will render assistance to one another should the need arise.

Members should always ride with their headlights on. Use low beams to avoid blinding other riders.

The Ride Leader

The ride leader rides at the head of the group and is usually positioned in the left one-third of the lane in which the group is riding. 

The ride leader should maintain a comfortable pace within the speed limit and capabilities of the group. 

The ride leader needs to insure ample time and space for turns, exits, lane changes, road hazards, etc., so the group can respond safely.

If the group becomes separated (e.g., at a stop light), the ride leader should locate a place where the group can pull over and wait for the group to reform.

All directions to the group should come from the Ride Leader. 

The Tail Rider

The tail rider assists the ride leader in maintaining group formation by insuring that slower bikes keep up.

The tail rider assists other riders who have to drop out of the group because of a problem.

The tail rider assists the group in making lane changes on multi-lane roads. The tail rider will be the first bike to move into a new lane and "close the door" to that lane to other vehicles. This allows the other group riders to move into the lane ahead of the tail rider without being obstructed by other traffic.

The Ride

Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even over-the-counter or prescription medications can dull the senses and slow reaction times.

A group of motorcycles is not a single vehicle. Groups do not have the right of way like a funeral procession. Also, it is illegal to block traffic to allow a group to proceed (e.g., pass through an intersection).  

Staggered Formation

The lead motorcycle should be in the left 1/3 of the lane, he second motorcycle should be in the right 1/3 of the lane, and so on. Tail riders can ride anywhere in the lane since they are riding last in the group.

Always stay in line with the bike ahead of you. Avoid switching between sides of the lane, especially in curves. 

Lane Changes

1. Simple Lane Change. The ride leader signals a lane change, initiates the change, and all other riders change lanes moving sequentially in behind the leader. No one should initiate their lane change until the bike in front has begun the change.
2. Blocked Lane Change. The tail rider moves over to secure the new lane by "blocking the door." The ride leader signals a lane change, initiates the change, and all other riders change lanes moving sequentially in behind the leader. No one should initiate their lane change until the bike in front has begun the change.

Emergencies

If a bike breaks down, let the rider move to the right. Other riders in the group should not stop. The tail rider or the rider's "buddy" will stop with the problem bike. The ride leader should lead the group to a safe stopping place. 

If the condition can be resolved quickly, then the rider can rejoin the group. If the bike is disabled, the group should proceed and the rider's buddy will render assistance until a tow truck can be arranged.

Passing

Riders should always pass slower vehicles one bike at a time and in the order in which they are riding in the group.

1. Pre-passing. Be far enough behind the vehicle you are passing to clearly see down the road for oncoming traffic. 
2. Signal. Activate your turn signal to signal you intent to pass.
3. Check. Check your mirrors and then do a head check to make sure no one is passing you.
4. Accelerate and change lanes. Remember, you cannot legally exceed the speed limit during a pass.
5. Honk horn. Some states require that you honk your horn when passing a vehicle on a two lane highway. This lets the operator of the other vehicle know that someone is passing them and may be in their blind spot.
6. Return to your lane. Signal and make a mirror and head check to make sure there is enough space between you and the vehicle you are passing. 
7. Open up room. Once you have completed your pass, open up room between you and the other vehicle to let the next bike in.

Group members who have completed their pass should drive fast enough to let in new bikes, but slow enough that members back in the group can easily catch up.

Hand Signals

There should be a few simple and easily learned hand signals to facilitate communication between the ride leader and group members. 

All hand signals should be given with the left hand so the rider does not have to remove his or her hand from the throttle. 

All signals should come from the rider. Passengers should never give signals as this may be confusing.

1. Start your engines. The ride leader signals the group to start their engines by pointing his or her index finger into the air and making a circular motion. 
2. Engines started. Group members can signal that they have started their engines and are ready to proceed by raising their hands into the air.
3. Slow down. Arm straight down, palm facing back. Move your arm like you are pumping something down or back.
4. Road Hazard. Point with your left hand to hazards on the left. Point with your right foot to hazards on the right.
5. Need Gas. Point at your gas tank.
6. Need Food. Point at your mouth.
7. Single File. Left hand straight up with index finger extended. All other riders will repeat this and assume single file formation, with two seconds between riders. The ride leader will signal when road conditions permit a return to staggered formation. 
8. Staggered Formation. Left hand straight up with thumb and little finger extended, all other fingers closed.

Use turn signals for changing lanes, exiting, turning, etc.

Group Riding Tips

Links to the Ann Arbor American HOG group. You will need a web browser that can view frames.

Hand Signals