Ride Rules/Hand Signals

Road Rules:

The purpose of riding in an organized group instead of an undisciplined pack is to provide the additional safety that a well-organized group inherently generates. This comes from within the group and from the outside. When a group rides in an orderly fashion, people don't get in each others way, and the organization of the formation itself discourages cars from attempting to cut in.

1. Top off fuel before all rides!

2. Alcohol consumption will not be tolerated before or during chapter rides and can lead to you being kicked off the ride and may result in you being kicked out of the chapter.

3. Not following ride rules and/or riding in such a manner that is hazardous to other riders will not be tolerated and may lead to you being kicked off the ride and continuous actions may result in you being kicked out of the chapter.

4. When riding with the chapter on chapter rides, you are required to ride with the group and are not allowed to ride off and meet the chapter elsewhere (example, taking off and meeting the chapter at the next stop is not allowed). This is not allowed because it doesn't foster group riding, promotes others to do the same, and defeats the whole purpose we ride together in the first place. If you do this, you will not be allowed to continue on that ride and will lose ride credit for the ride. Continued actions can result in your removal from the chapter. If you want to do this please don't start the ride with us.

5. Motorcycles will be kept in safe working condition. Any motorcycle not in safe condition will not be permitted to participate in chapter rides.

6. Traffic laws will be strictly enforced.

7. It may be necessary to break into smaller groups if the group is too big.

8. Each group will be lead by a Road Captain. The Road Captain will occupy the front left position of the group. All hand signals regarding formation type, lane changes are to be initiated by the Road Captain ONLY.

9. Each group will have a Tail Gunner, which will be the last motorcycle in each group. If a rider needs to pull out of the group, only the Tail Gunner will pull over to assist. It is possible that more than one Tail Gunner will be assigned to a formation.

10. Any rider wishing to drop out of the ride on their own accord (time constraints, etc), will notify the Tail Gunner prior to doing dropping out.

11. You should maintain a gap of 2 seconds to the rider in front of you and 1 second gap between you and the rider diagonal to yourself. Formations should be tight, meaning maintain this gap. When riders leave more than a 2 second gap in front of this, this allows the formation to be loose, in which case other vehicles may cut into the formation.

12. Changing Lanes. There are three types of lane changes allowed in formation.. The type of lane change to be called for is ONLY up to the Road Captain:

12a. Simple Lane Change: This is an ordinary lane change (most common) and can be used in most situations. The Road Captain puts on his directional signal as an indication that (s)he is about to order a lane change. As each rider sees the signal, they also turns their turn signal on. The Tail Gunner will secure the lane. NO RIDER CHANGES LANES AT THIS POINT. The Road Captain will initiate the lane change. All other riders then change lanes, from front to rear. The important concept is that NO ONE moves until the bike in front of him has started changing lanes.

12b. Block Lane Change: This can be used interchangeably with the Simple Lane Change. It requires a little more work, but it is well worth the effort. It's quite impressive to watch and gives the riders a tremendous felling of "togetherness". This sounds complicated, but it is actually very simple to do. The Road Captain will put on his directional signal as an indication that (s)he is about to order a lane change. As each riders sees the directional signal, (s)he also turns his/hers on, so the riders following him get the signal. The Road Captain then raises his left arm straight up. Each rider repeats the signal. Then as the leader lowers his/her arm to point to the lane into which (s)he's moving, (s)he actually initiates the change. All other riders lower their arms at the same time and change lanes too. This allows the entire formation to move from one lane to another as a single block. This lane change should not be performed with riders that are new to the group.

12c. Rear Fill-In: This is sometimes necessary if a long enough gap cannot be maintained in the new lane, for example when trying to move from the right lane to the center and vehicles from the left lane keep cutting into the opening. The Ride Captain will initiate the lane change by signaling for the change. All riders will turn on the appropriate turn signal while remaining in their lane. The Tailgunner will secure the lane when it is safe to do so. The Road Captain will call for the group to fill in the space from the rear. He signals this by raising his hand and "pushing" it towards the new lane. All riders repeat the signal, and the last bikes move into the space in the new lane ahead of the Tail Gunner, then the next bikes move in ahead of those, and so on until the Road Captain finally moves into the space ahead of the entire formation.

Hand Signals:

Road Hazard to the Left: Hazard in the road cannot be seen by riders not in the front of the formation. Point to the hazard in the road with your left hand. This signal should be passed back from rider to rider. This is started by the rider who sees the hazard, not necessarily the Road Captain.

Road Hazard to the Right: Point out with your right foot. This signal should be passed back from rider to rider. This is started by the rider who sees the hazard, not necessarily the Road Captain

Single File: Initiated by Road Captain. Left arm straight up with index finger pointing up. Signal passed back from rider to rider. Road Captain will show left or right of lane by pointing to the left or the right after getting the group in single file. Road captain will initiate the side lane single file formation. Bikes will move in from front to rear. Bikes should back off to allow the rider to the front diagonal position to move into single formation. When formed the formation needs to maintain the 2 second gap.

Staggered Formation: Arm straight up with index and pinky finger elevated.

Pull over: Pat your head with your left hand. Riders should allow this rider out of the formation and reclose the formation. If someone sees something wrong with another motorcycle that person should pull over, point at them, and pat their head. The two riders and Tail Gunner will pull over.

Other Rider Left Turn Signal On: Pinch thumb and middle finger like you are snapping fingers repeatedly.

Right/Left Turns: use turn signals and/or correct hand signals.

Slow Down: Using left hand with palm extended motion with a downward motion. Passed back from rider to rider.

Tighten Up: Closed fist pumping up and down. This is initiated by the Road Captain.

Police: Extend arm over head motion hand in a circle

Two Lanes Merging into One Lane: Road Captain will initiate this signal. The signal is left arm elevated and index and middle finger extended. This signal is passed back from rider to rider to the Tail Gunner. The Tail Gunner will secure the other lane to prevent vehicles trying to cut in. The Tail Gunner will return to formation only after the lanes have completely merged.