There is nothing like hitting the road with some friends to enjoy a group motorcycle ride. However, riding a motorcycle in a group is much different than riding alone. Before taking off with your pals, it is important to understand basic group riding etiquette to do your part to keep the group safe at all times. The more bikes, the more safety concerns. Nevertheless, if you are your riding with friends, take the necessary precautions and prepare beforehand, so that together, you can enjoy the open road safely. Read on to discover a few basic group riding tips to ensure a safe and fun ride with your friends.

1. Have a pre-ride meeting.

Once your group has arrived at a meeting point before your ride, it is always a good idea to go over the route and plan together, along with reviewing any important hand signals, to ensure that everyone is on the same page. This is especially important if there are any new riders who have joined your group. During your pre-ride meeting, it is also best to elect a team leader who will be guiding the group on the road. The leader should be one of the most, if not the most, experienced motorcyclist in the pack.

2. Know what to do when a rider gets separated.

Occasionally, there may be riders in a group who briefly get separated along the way. Sometimes this can occur when there is heavy traffic or when passing in a more urban setting. First and foremost, do not panic! If you happen to be the one who has fallen behind, remember to stay calm and remain on the pre-planned route to your destination. Furthermore, when the leader of a group ride knows that someone has been separated, they should slow down their speed until the rider is able to catch back up with group.

3. Stagger your riding formation.

One of the most important group riding safety protocols is to ride in staggered formation. The group leader should always be at the left of the lane so that it is easy to see traffic ahead of the group and monitor oncoming traffic and road debris. The second rider should be positioned one second behind the leader in the right side of the lane. All following riders should continue this formation until the entire group is staggered accordingly. It is important to remember that riding side-by-side is never a good idea because it restricts a rider’s option to move carefully within the lane to avoid any obstacles that may appear on the road.

4. Know how to pass cars as a group.

Passing a car on a motorcycle is not always an easy task, and it can become even more complicated while riding in a group. Ultimately, the leader of the group will decide whether or not to pass a car in front of them. If a pass has been decided on, the best way for everyone to pass safely is to always go one-at-a-time. Once the leader has safely passed the vehicle and returns to their staggered riding position, the second rider should then follow, and so on, until each rider has returned to their original position.

4. Ride at your own pace.

Most riding groups will typically have a variety of riding experience among its members. It is important for more advanced riders to be mindful of the varying skill levels of all individuals. No matter how experienced others in your group may be, it is always important to ride at your own pace. All riders should keep their own skill levels in mind, and never try to push their limits. Doing so could result in unwanted consequences, such as getting into an accident. The best riders are those who choose to stay safe, no matter what!