RULES FOR RIDING IN ORGANIZED GROUPS

The purpose of riding in an organized group instead of an undisciplined pack is to provide an additional margin of safety. When a group rides in an orderly fashion, people don't get in each other's way, and the organization of the formation itself discourages cars from attempting to cut in. 

If you feel that these rules are too restrictive you are welcome to ride to the destination on your own in any fashion you wish, but riding in formation, at anytime, day or night, requires strict adherence to these rules.

Anyone violating the rules, and compromising everyone else's safety, will be warned, and if their actions continue, will no longer be welcome to ride with the organized group. 

The following rules are compiled from a number of sources. Most clubs that ride in orderly formations follow similar rules. 

FORMATION RIDING

Formation riding will be in a standard staggered formation. In staggered formation, the bikes form two columns, with the leader at the head of the left column, so he will be able to view all bikes in the formation in his/her rearview mirrors, and be able to see around vehicles the group approaches. The second bike will head the right column, and will ride 10-15 yards behind the leader (and in the opposite side of the lane). The other riders will position their bikes 20-30 yards behind the bike directly in front of them, which puts them 10-15 yards behind the diagonal bike. This formation allows each rider sufficient safety space, and discourages other vehicles from cutting into the line. 

The last rider, or Tail Gunner, may ride on whichever side of the lane he prefers but should be positioned 20-30 yards behind the bike directly in front of him. He will have to change sides during the ride, based on the situation at the moment. 

Passing bikes in lane is not allowed (except road guards).

Leaving formation and returning, except for road guards, is not allowed. If you leave the formation ride on your own until the next stop.

On the occasional ride when the Ride Leader feels road guards are necessary, anyone, other than new riders, can be a road guard. The bikes immediately behind the Ride Leader and second column leader should pull out of formation and act as road guards when necessary and should return to formation immediately in front of the tail gunner. The entire formation should be informed of new riders and the new riders should be specifically informed that they are not expected to act as road guards.

Should the club choose to purchase orange/yellow vests and designate specific riders to be road guards on any given ride, these road guards should be positioned immediately behind the Ride/Column Leaders, or behind the new riders if any are on the ride. These riders should act as road guards when necessary and return to the formation in these same positions at their earliest convenience. Should a rider see a designated road guard approaching from the rear that rider should move to the right and allow the road guard to pass easily.

RIDE LEADER

The Ride Leader must be aware of the length of the columns, and must gauge the passing of merges, highway entrances and exits, etc., to allow for maximum safety and keeping the group together. He must make sure that he leaves enough time/space for the formation to get into the appropriate lanes before exits, etc. All directions come from the Ride Leader. The Ride Leader makes all decisions regarding lane changes, stopping for breaks and fuel, closing of gaps, turning off at exits, any concerns of what lies ahead, accepting/rejecting radioed messages from other individuals, and so on. No individual will assert himself independently. 

RIGHT COLUMN LEADER

The Right Column Leader will assist the Ride Leader in maintaining organization and structure for the formation.

TAIL GUNNER

The Tail Gunner serves as the eyes of the Ride Leader. He watches the formation, and, if in radio contact, informs the Ride Leader of any potential problems within the group. He watches other vehicles, and informs the Ride Leader (and anyone else with radios) of hazardous conditions approaching from the rear, such as vehicles trying to cut into the formation and trucks passing with potentially dangerous wind blasts. If in radio contact, at the Ride Leaders request, the Tail Gunner changes lanes before the formation, to secure the lane so the formation can move into it.


NEW RIDERS

New riders should be positioned as close to the front of the formation as possible. This provides a more stable riding speed and allows the ride leader to watch them and not outride them in larger formations.


EMERGENCIES

In the unlikely event of an emergency condition, the Ride Leader will make every attempt to move the formation to the shoulder in an orderly manner. If a bike breaks down, let the rider move to the right. DO NOT STOP. The Tail Gunner will stop with the problem bike. The Ride Leader will lead the group to a safe stopping place.

HAND SIGNALS

Each rider (and passenger) should duplicate all hand signals given by the rider in front of him, so that the signals get passed all the way to the back of the formation. The following signals are used in addition to the standard (right turn, left turn slow /stop) hand signals.

Single up: When conditions warrant single file (narrow road, anticipated wind-blast from trucks, obstruction, pedestrians, etc.) the Ride Leader will raise his left hand straight up, holding up just his index finger. All other riders will repeat this, and the two columns will merge into one.

Staggered Formation: After singling up, when single file is no longer necessary, the Ride Leader will raise his left hand with thumb and pinky out, other fingers closed, rotating his wrist back and forth (indicating left, right, left, right). All other riders will repeat this and resume staggered formation.

Tighten Formation: When the Ride Leader feels that the formation should be tighter (bikes closer together) (usually after being informed by the Tail Gunner), he raises his left hand with fingers spread wide and repeatedly closes them into a fist. All other riders repeat this and close up all unnecessary space in the formation.

Road Hazard: This is the one signal that can be initiated by ANYONE. Anyone seeing a hazardous condition on the road surface (road kill, oil, gravel, significant pot hole, etc.) will point at it. All following riders will repeat this, and all riders will avoid the hazard.