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| What Goes Into a Group Ride Who Does What To Make It Happen? |
Some of you may wonder what it takes to make a group ride safe and successful. There are things going on in a
group ride that most riders never know about, so let’s take a look at the inner workings and responsibilities that go
into making a group ride safe, beginning with the ride leader.
group ride that most riders never know about, so let’s take a look at the inner workings and responsibilities that go
into making a group ride safe, beginning with the ride leader.
- Ride Leader: He (she) has the responsibility of knowing where the group is going and how to get there
in a safe and orderly manner. The leader must know how many bikes are in the group and where that last
bike, or tail-gunner, is positioned. If traveling in a staggered double column formation, the ride leader is at
the head of the left hand column and should be the only bike riding the center line. All other riders in the
left column behind the leader should position their bikes in the middle of the ride lane. (See diagram A)
This formation allows the leader a clear field of vision to the tail-gunner at the rear of the column. It is the
ride leader’s responsibility to pick the proper lane of travel necessary to avoid merging traffic or to exit a
highway or to make a turn. Only the ride leader initiates lane or formation changes and they do this with
the use of hand signals. Ride Leaders also set the pace or speed of the ride, taking into consideration the
experience level of the riders in the group, as well as conditions of the highway being traveled.
- Shotgun: Many groups do not recognize this position,
but Star City does. Shotgun rides as the second bike in the
formation, at the head of the right hand column. The
shotgun rider has the responsibility of helping the ride
leader execute lane changes from a left lane to a right
lane. The shotgun rider has a clear field of vision into the
right hand lane. (See diagram B) When the ride leader asks
for a lane change from left to right, and he signals the tail-
gunner to block the lane, this puts the tail-gunner
completely out of the leader’s field of vision and into the
shotgun riders. Once the right lane is secured by the tail-
gunner, the shotgun rider will signal the leader that it is safe
to change lanes. Usually, this is done by tooting the horn.
diagram B
Now, let’s talk about the rest of us: Just what are the rest of us supposed to do?
We should always ride with a safety first attitude. This means, the safety of all, whether
or not they are part of the group. Watch for, and relay, all hand signals from front to rear.
(Hopefully, without changing them.) Spot and signal for hazards. Maintain proper
distance between bikes. (See diagram D) Two seconds from the bike in front of you is preferred, and one second from the
bike over in the next column. If traveling at higher speeds, extend that gap a little, but with that said, we also don’t want
large gaps in the formation. This is important for several reasons. Large gaps create problems such as: Other vehicles
will attempt to break into the formation, and hand-signals being passed from front to rear are often disrupted, misread, or
not passed along. The rider responsible for the gap is, in effect, setting themselves up as ride leader to the bikes behind
him. Too great a distance between bikes affects the ride leader’s ability to keep up with the tail-gunner and keeps the
tail-gunner from seeing what is going on up front. Large gaps create potentially serious safety hazards. The gap should
follow the two-second rule and should be consistent throughout the formation.
bike over in the next column. If traveling at higher speeds, extend that gap a little, but with that said, we also don’t want
large gaps in the formation. This is important for several reasons. Large gaps create problems such as: Other vehicles
will attempt to break into the formation, and hand-signals being passed from front to rear are often disrupted, misread, or
not passed along. The rider responsible for the gap is, in effect, setting themselves up as ride leader to the bikes behind
him. Too great a distance between bikes affects the ride leader’s ability to keep up with the tail-gunner and keeps the
tail-gunner from seeing what is going on up front. Large gaps create potentially serious safety hazards. The gap should
follow the two-second rule and should be consistent throughout the formation.
diagram D
| Now for the most important part: Have a good time and enjoy the ride. Just remember, you can’t have a good time if you’re not safe. If you’re not having a good time, let your chapter officers know. (Be constructive) |
SCRC / Star City Chapter - Hand Signal Meanings
The purpose of this club is to enjoy the fellowship of riding motorcycles in a safe and orderly manner with others.
It is sometimes hard to communicate with other riders in the group. Therefore, by studying the following page of hand signal
examples, we hope that everyone will have a better and safer ride by understanding a few basic signals.
1. Arm and hand extended pointing to the left means left turn.
2. Arm in a 90 degree angle with hand extended means right turn.
3. Palm facing down and arm pushing in a downward motion means slow down.
4. Palm facing up and arm moving in an upward motion means speed up. Close up the gap between you, there is too much space.
5. Arm extended down with palm facing backward means stopping or slowing down.
6. Arm bent and pointing to gas tank means I need to make a pit stop soon. This signal should be passed to the leader.
The rider that needs to make a stop should toot their horn when it is safe to pull up to the next rider. Point to his/her tank and then
fall back into formation. Each rider in turn will pull up to the rider in front of them and so on, until it reaches the leader.
7. Palm facing forward and waving arm forward means pull up to me and pass.
8. Palm facing back and waving arm backward means don’t pass me now. Conditions are not safe at this time and place.
9. Hand across the front of the neck means Rider is stopping and pulling off to the side. They have an immediate need to stop.
The Tail-gunner (ONLY) will stop with them. The leader of the group will continue to the first safe available location to pull the group
off. The leader will then, via cell phone or radio, contact the tail-gunner to be advised of the situation and to make arrangements as
to how to proceed. Note: The last rider in the group will assume responsibility as tail-gunner.
10. Arm extended up with index finger pointed to sky means ride in single file.
11. Arm extended up showing two fingers means staggered file formation riding.
12. Arm and hand extended upward and tapping thumb and forefinger means cancel your turn signal.
13. Patting the top of the helmet indicates that you are dropping out of the formation and going on your own. Make sure that the
tail-gunner sees this so the ride may continue on uninterrupted.
14. Closed fist: Tail-gunner is to block the other lane as soon as traffic will allow.
15. Left arm extended upward, hand opening and closing all 5 fingers means to tighten up the formation.
16. Left arm extended upward, hand making circle motion means we will be turning around or making a U-Turn.
17. Left hand over head with index finger pointing right means potential hazard on right roadway shoulder.
18 - 19. Arm or leg pointing to road means a hazard in the road ahead.
A. When the lead rider activates his/her turn signal, that is only a sign of intent. We will not turn/change lanes until the appropriate
hand signal is given by the leader and then it will be front to rear.
B. When leaving the roadway and entering a parking lot or other stopping area, riders will fall into a single file line.
C. Each rider is to duplicate the leader’s signals so that every rider in the group is aware of the change in the current riding situation.
We hope you will study these signals, understand their meanings, and pass them on to the riders behind you. It will make our rides
more enjoyable and safer for us all. Please, at anytime, feel free to ask questions or to make suggestions regarding these signals.
Also note that these signals are intended for the use of the Star City Chapter and are not necessarily universal outside our club.
Thank you for your attention to these signals. By learning formation riding, I think we all will have a safer and more enjoyable ride.
Ride Safe
The purpose of this club is to enjoy the fellowship of riding motorcycles in a safe and orderly manner with others.
It is sometimes hard to communicate with other riders in the group. Therefore, by studying the following page of hand signal
examples, we hope that everyone will have a better and safer ride by understanding a few basic signals.
1. Arm and hand extended pointing to the left means left turn.
2. Arm in a 90 degree angle with hand extended means right turn.
3. Palm facing down and arm pushing in a downward motion means slow down.
4. Palm facing up and arm moving in an upward motion means speed up. Close up the gap between you, there is too much space.
5. Arm extended down with palm facing backward means stopping or slowing down.
6. Arm bent and pointing to gas tank means I need to make a pit stop soon. This signal should be passed to the leader.
The rider that needs to make a stop should toot their horn when it is safe to pull up to the next rider. Point to his/her tank and then
fall back into formation. Each rider in turn will pull up to the rider in front of them and so on, until it reaches the leader.
7. Palm facing forward and waving arm forward means pull up to me and pass.
8. Palm facing back and waving arm backward means don’t pass me now. Conditions are not safe at this time and place.
9. Hand across the front of the neck means Rider is stopping and pulling off to the side. They have an immediate need to stop.
The Tail-gunner (ONLY) will stop with them. The leader of the group will continue to the first safe available location to pull the group
off. The leader will then, via cell phone or radio, contact the tail-gunner to be advised of the situation and to make arrangements as
to how to proceed. Note: The last rider in the group will assume responsibility as tail-gunner.
10. Arm extended up with index finger pointed to sky means ride in single file.
11. Arm extended up showing two fingers means staggered file formation riding.
12. Arm and hand extended upward and tapping thumb and forefinger means cancel your turn signal.
13. Patting the top of the helmet indicates that you are dropping out of the formation and going on your own. Make sure that the
tail-gunner sees this so the ride may continue on uninterrupted.
14. Closed fist: Tail-gunner is to block the other lane as soon as traffic will allow.
15. Left arm extended upward, hand opening and closing all 5 fingers means to tighten up the formation.
16. Left arm extended upward, hand making circle motion means we will be turning around or making a U-Turn.
17. Left hand over head with index finger pointing right means potential hazard on right roadway shoulder.
18 - 19. Arm or leg pointing to road means a hazard in the road ahead.
A. When the lead rider activates his/her turn signal, that is only a sign of intent. We will not turn/change lanes until the appropriate
hand signal is given by the leader and then it will be front to rear.
B. When leaving the roadway and entering a parking lot or other stopping area, riders will fall into a single file line.
C. Each rider is to duplicate the leader’s signals so that every rider in the group is aware of the change in the current riding situation.
We hope you will study these signals, understand their meanings, and pass them on to the riders behind you. It will make our rides
more enjoyable and safer for us all. Please, at anytime, feel free to ask questions or to make suggestions regarding these signals.
Also note that these signals are intended for the use of the Star City Chapter and are not necessarily universal outside our club.
Thank you for your attention to these signals. By learning formation riding, I think we all will have a safer and more enjoyable ride.
Ride Safe
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Ride Guide
Southern Cruisers Riding Club
Star City Chapter 32
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Roanoke, Virginia
| T CLOCS |
diagram A
Tail-gunner: The tail-gunner will follow at the rear of
the group wherever he needs to be to see what is going
on. The tail-gunner’s job is to help make lane changes
by keeping traffic off of the group by securing the lane
when the ride leader asks for it. (See diagram C)
The tail-gunner will also stop with any rider having
difficulty.
the group wherever he needs to be to see what is going
on. The tail-gunner’s job is to help make lane changes
by keeping traffic off of the group by securing the lane
when the ride leader asks for it. (See diagram C)
The tail-gunner will also stop with any rider having
difficulty.
diagram C
Hand signal the
leader sends back
for tail-gunner to
secure a lane
leader sends back
for tail-gunner to
secure a lane
| Star City Chapter 32 Hand Signals |
| These signals are intended for the use of the Star City Chapter and are not necessarily universal outside our club. |