Group Riding Tips from The Motorcycle Lawyer

As Seen in Thunder Road Magazine

 

 

 

 Every now and then, I’ll take a call from a motorcyclist who has fallen while riding in a group, often because of the actions of other riders.  Now that Motorcycle Awareness Month has come and gone, and we are fully into the swing of the riding season, I thought I would take the opportunity to provide a few tips for riding in groups; I’ll go through a few basics, and then look at some specific riding formations.

 

The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to group riding is this: Safety has to be your number one priority. It’s not worth jeopardizing your safety for the sake of keeping the group together.

Careful planning can make all the difference in a group ride. The first step is to identify what type of ride you want to do. Are you heading for a particular destination? Are you just exploring a particular route, with no particular destination in mind? Or, is this a charity or event ride, with particular stopping points along the way?

 

Once you know the type of ride, it’s a good idea to keep the least experienced rider in mind when planning the route. Plan the length of the route as well as each segment on that person’s ability level; it will be safer for them as well as the other riders in the group. Take lots of timely breaks along the way to combat fatigue and get stay hydrated.

 

While riding, it’s usually not advised to pass within the group. In terms of passing other vehicles, do so only if it is safe and legal. On two-lane roads, pass slower-moving vehicles one at a time; on a multi-lane highway, it may be best for the entire group to pass as a single unit. In this case, the leader would signal a lane change (after determining that the entire group can pass safely), and then each rider would signal before changing lanes one at a time. In general, stay staggered and leave plenty of room between yourself and the other bikers. Be Motorcycle Aware while you ride; use your mirrors, signal, and be as predictable as you can. There are a few different formations for group riding:

 

Staggered formation: The leader rides in the left-third of the lane, while the next rider follows at least a second behind, but in the right-third of the lane. The third rider would follow in the left-third of the lane at least one second behind the second rider, and so on for the rest of the group. If hazardous conditions arise, it may be best to switch to single-file riding.

 

Side-By-Side: If you intend to ride side-by-side within a group, check to see if it’s legal in the state where you’re riding; in many states, riding side-by-side is actually illegal. Riding side-by-side can be dangerous; it leaves you less room to maneuver within the lane.

 

Single file: Riding single file gives riders more room to maneuver, particularly on curves or ramps. It can also be good for low visibility riding. When riding single file, be sure to leave lots of room between bikes; two seconds or more is recommended.

 

How you plan your route will determine how many intersections you’ll have to deal with. Discuss the plan ahead of time (before starting out), and make sure that there are frequent catch-up stops for riders who may fall behind or have to wait for a light. You never want to create a situation where a motorcyclist feels pressure to ride too fast or take risks just to keep up.

 

The most important thing about group riding is to be prepared and plan it well. Get everything ready in advance; pack rain gear if needed, charge your phone, and bring your emergency repair kit. Fill up your tank before you meet up with the group, go over the route and stops, decide what to do or where to meet if someone gets separated, and discuss any hand signals before you ride. For a complete list of hand signals, check our blog: http://goo.gl/ofrQMN.

 

While I can’t cover everything, this article should be a good start for planning epic group rides this riding season. If you have a tip to share, or a comment about this article, find us on Facebook (facebook.com/TheMotorcycleLawyer) or let us know on Twitter (@cyclelawyer1). We look forward to hearing from you and wish all Michigan motorcyclists a safe and long riding season!