Riders M.C. of Boston    

Safety Manual

Sections

Group Ride System

Handsignals
Left/Right Lane Change
Advanced Lane Changes
Turns Across Traffic
Tighten Up Group
Single File Danger Ahead
Double File Danger Cleared
Change Lane Position
Objects In Road Danger Ahead
Exiting Parking
Emergency Stopping
Blinker On
Need Gasoline
Something Is Loose
Low Tire
Depart From Group
Emergency Stop
Interesting Roadside Fauna

Group Safety Policy

Additional Duties of Point and Sweep

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Group Ride System

Riders M.C. uses a standardized riding pattern, and customizes it for optimum SAFETY and COMMUNICATION for all riders. The techniques we use have been proven over time to work effectively. New procedures and signals are added and old procedures changed as situations warrant.

By using consistent techniques, riders can expect the same standardized responses to road conditions. Each time a situation arises ALL riders will know how to function as a team and help each other through it. Riders should acquaint themselves to the techniques, and keep apprised of any changes. It would be extremely dangerous to the entire group, if one or more riders were using old procedures, or were unaware of the techniques. Each group travels through traffic as a unit, as much as possible.

The group is led by the "point" (we reserve the term "road captain" for the club's elected office, Road Captain) and backed up by the "sweep". We can pull up two abreast at traffic stops or crawling along in heavy traffic, but whenever we are rolling along at a feet-on-the-pegs speed, we spread out into a staggered formation, which gives us room to make an emergency swerve if necessary, while allowing a safe following distance, and lets nearby motorists know that we are a group.

Sweep      Middle Bikes       Point

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Handsignals

Signals usually originate from the point due to road conditions. The signals were chosen so that riders would have a way to communicate. Riders should imitate the signal (or "pass the signal back") to warn the riders following you.

Left/Right Lane Change: When we are in a safety riding formation it is very important that we change lanes as a group. Point will signal his INTENTION to change lanes by activating his electronic directionals. NO MEMBER WILL CHANGE LANES until they are instructed!

After ALL of the riders have activated their directionals AND the Sweep can see all members are aware of the upcoming lane change, the Sweep will act. The Sweep will move over.

The Sweep will flash his high beams. After the Point has seen this signal, the Point will check his rear view mirrors to confirm that the lane is clear and then give the HAND SIGNAL associated with the Lane Change.
Point will point at the sky with the appropriate hand and with arm locked, he will point to Left/Right in a sweeping move.

It is safe to change lanes as a group. There should not be any "crisscrossing" on this move. After changing lanes remember to turn off your directional. Riders M.C. thanks the Spartiates M.C. of Montreal for this signal.

Advanced Lane Changes: This is a procedure used for changing lanes to EXIT very busy highways. The Point will activate his directionals just like any lane change.

He will then motion to the next rider in the chain. This next rider (the #2 bike in the group) must know how to act. The #2 bike will change lanes BY HIMSELF, breaking from the group, and once he has entered the other lane he will apply his brakes and slow down.

The other riders in the group should tighten up the ranks, but must remain in the order they started in. (In other words, do not shift around or move up.)

The #2 bike will open up a space in the right lane. When the space is long enough to accommodate the group, the #2 bike will signal the Point by flashing his high beams.

The Point will then signal the group to change lanes, with the typical locked-arm sweep gesture.

After the group has moved over, the #2 bike-which is still in the rear, can move to the front and resume his #2 position.

Turns Across Traffic: When we approach an area where it is necessary to cross one or more lanes of traffic, be alert and ready to go. Many times we must come to a stop before crossing the traffic, to wait for a break.

The Sweep may come along the outside of the group (away from the turn) and move in front of the Point.

When the Sweep has determined that it is safe to proceed, the Sweep will move his bike to the middle of the oncoming lane and block traffic. When this is done, the Point will make the turn. All riders should move quickly and carefully, to minimize the time that the Sweep is vulnerable to being struck.

Tighten Up Group: We need to close up the ranks. Point will make a fist in air and make a pulling-down motion with the fist-riders should allow a shorter following distance.

[Example: Roadway is merging lanes and we need to keep cars / trucks from jumping into the middle of the group.]

Single File-Danger Ahead!: Point holds (index) finger up high. Riders should allow longer space between bike ahead and move to center-of-lane position. Maintain single file until instructed otherwise.

Double File-Danger Cleared: Point holds two fingers up high. Riders can now resume staggered formation and cruising speed.

Change Lane Position: Not used often. Point will point at sky in a circular motion. Point has decided that the right portion of lane provides a clearer view of road or to alternate riding positions because of poor roadside conditions, so he will switch positions. Riders should allow a longer space between bike ahead and move to the opposite lane position. No directionals are used. Riders stay in the same order as before. This manoever can also be used on a long highway segment just to break up the monotony. It reinforces our image as a unit to surrounding motorists, too.

Objects In Road-Danger Ahead!: Point will point in a circular motion with the appropriate hand at the road.

Exiting/Parking: When the group is exiting a road (to a parking lot or an off-ramp), there is a very important thing to remember: THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY EXIT A ROAD IN STAGGERED FORMATION.

Even if the Point has forgotten to give the hand signal, all riders should ride in single file on exiting roads. On entering a parking lot, riders should continue to an area well into the lot to make sure the rest of the riders get off the roadway quickly.

Emergency Stopping: If we must stop quickly on a roadway, we will try to find the closest safe area. Riders should stop their bikes in close single file. Unless you are the rider which caused the stop, or are helping, REMAIN ON YOUR BIKE AND LEAVE IT RUNNING. If you stop your bike, or dismount, this will extend the time the group is on the highway, in harm's way.

Some signals can originate from any rider in the group and do not necessarily need to be “passed back”. They are as follows:

Blinker On: If you see another rider whose directionals have not shut off after a turn (some motorcycles do not have self-cancelling signals), you will want to let him know. The rider closest to him should pull alongside him and use an open-and-closed "blinking" fist motion to let him know.

Need Gasoline: We try to avoid this situation by starting with full tanks, and scheduling gas stops within everyone's range. If you are running low and must stop, break out of the formation, pull along the Point or another bike and point at the gas tank on your bike. (If your gas tank is located under the seat, as with Goldwings, point to the traditional tank position.) If necessary, you may need to get the gasoline from the support vehicle.

Something is Loose: If you spot something on another bike that is about to fall off (number plate, luggage, accessory) you will need to signal the rider. Break out of formation and pull alongside the rider. With a clenched fist turning back and forth as if turning a screwdriver.

If the loose item has already fallen off, follow the first signal with a thumb pointing backwards over your shoulder. The rider who was alerted should break formation and pull over as soon as it is safe. The Sweep should alert the Point to stop the group and wait until the others rejoin the group.

Low Tire: If you see another Rider's tire is dangerously low, signal by showing a thumbs-down and pointing to the tire affected.

Depart From Group: Rider points away from group, but does not operate directional. If you must leave, let the sweep know your intention, (emergency / other plans) otherwise sweep will accompany you thinking something is wrong! Departures usually occur on the home stretch of a run as we head off in different directions on the way home.

Emergency Stop: Break from formation and hold out the universal open palm stop gesture, if possible.

Interesting Roadside Fauna A.K.A. Live Scenery Approval: Rider pats top of his helmet/head. This means a Hot-looking man has been seen on road or sidewalk. This does not have to be "passed back".

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Group Safety Policy:

If you want to ride in an erratic manner, use drugs or alcohol before riding, or not follow the instructions of the Point and Sweep-group riding is absolutely not for you. At the sole discretion of the Point, you may be asked to leave the group, if in his opinion your riding is compromising anyone's safety or is disruptive to the group. Repeated violation of the above will result in your expulsion from Riders M.C. Intolerance for violations is justified, because of clear safety issues. Violations can be brought up to a majority vote of the elected club officers.

Additional Duties of Point and Sweep

The point and sweep have additional duties to keep the group safe. Those duties are described on the Planning a Run page