Safety tips !!
Greetings to all that read and post on this subject. Spring is coming, so the rides are too!
Group Riding and saftey tips!1. We ride staggered: first bike (lead) is usually in the left third of the lane so the second is in the right third, third in left, etc. Trike’s and side cars should ride in the center of the lane. There should be at least 1 second between you and the bike next to you in the other third of the lane, 2 seconds between you and the bike in the same third of the lane in front of you. NEVER ride up on another bikes back tire (meaning the tires should not touch if you were to both go to the same spot at the same time.)
A good rule of thumb is…you should be able to see the face of the rider in front of you in their mirror.
2. Changing Lanes: The leader will give a hand signal to change lanes. Pass the hand signal back all the way to the tail gunner, sweep, etc. (last bike). When the last bike can safely change lanes, he will move over and secure the lane, the rest of the group can safely change lanes once he has secured the lane. (To do this properly, the leader will need to make sure to give enough time to be able to have the signal passed to the back.)
When you change lanes, go to the far side of the lane so someone else can also change lanes. Example: If you are on the left side of the right lane, when you move to the left lane, go all the way over to the left side of the lane, right side rider will be in right side of new lane.
3. Intersections are the most dangerous spot for accidents. 2 way stops, 4 ways stops and yields do not mean that the entire groups goes through at once. Rather, each bike should move through an intersection as a single vehicle when it is safe to do so. Do not panic, the integrity of the group will not be lost, you can regain formation down the road, as the group will find a safe spot to pull over and regroup.
4. When coming to a turn on a regular road, (for a twisty roads see rule 5) drop into a single file line. If you stay in the formation line up, when you go back to staggered formation everyone will be back in the same spot. If the entire group can not make a turn (groups gets split up), the last bike that makes the turn should wait at the turn so the rest of the group will know where to turn. (aka leaving bread crumbs LOL)
5. Learn the hand signals. The basic ones that we use are:
A. Hand tapping top of helmet: There's a cop.
B. Pointing frantically to the ground with hand or foot: There's something in the road on that side.
C. Left arm extended and bent 90 degrees with closed fist: We are about to make a final turn in and stop
D. Left Arm extended and bent 90 degrees with open hand: Right turn.
E. Left arm straight out: Left turn
F. Left arm extended out and slightly waving up and down with open hand: slow down or possible stop.
G. Someone flashing all five fingers of one hand at you: you forgot to turn off your blinker.
H. One leg extended to side of bike: That person is about to change lanes in that direction. (I personally prefer and use blinkers, but you need to know this one.)
I. Pointing to the gas tank: I need gas.
J. Pointing to your stomach: I need food.
K. Pointing to your...crotch: I need a bathroom break.
6. When you're on a twisty road with a group, ride in a single file line and DO NOT ride above your skill level. The group will always wait at the end of the road for everyone and usually do a head count to make sure no one went down. Take it easy, we will wait for you.
7. Don't go flying by someone at high speed in the same lane they are in unless you know them and they have told you that it is ok. Please go by in a different lane.
8. If you want to stunt, go out front and try to pick one or two lanes to stunt in. Most experienced stunters do this; this is for the inexperienced. It is much better to get in front before you do a wheelie, endo, etc. Riding up through a pack on your rear wheel is not the safest thing in the world.
9. When you first ride with a large group or an unfamiliar group, I suggest you stay in back and on whatever side that has an escape route. You need to be thinking about what you will do if someone in front of you goes down. It does happen!
10. When the group puts the hammer down and it comes time for you to decelerate, if you don't brake and just let off the throttle, make sure that you tap your brake a couple of times so that the bikes behind you will know you’re slowing down.
11. Wear as much protective gear as you can.
12. Make sure your bike is registered and you have a valid license, etc.
13. Be gassed up when we meet. Make sure your tire pressure, oil, chains, belts, etc. are in good order before you go on a ride.
14. Have emergency cards with all of your information and emergency contact info on you if at all possible. At least have an emergency number stored in your cell phone. Using ICE (in case of emergency) is a good way that everyone will know who to call if need be and not call everyone in your phone. I personally use ICE which puts it as the 1st number on my phone list.
15. If you peel off and head out on your own during a group ride, let someone know or we'll be looking for you.
16. When following, do not focus on person in front of you keep them in peripheral vision and focus ahead. (IE. Don't Target Fixate!)
If there is an accident, I'm not a doctor but consider these:
A) Don't move the rider unless he cannot breathe: he has an impeded helmet in water puddle/mud or his helmet came off and something is in his mouth. Then keep the neck straight as possible.
B) Know CPR.
C) Do not pull out anything impaling the rider like branches, iron rods, etc.
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