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Group Riding Safety

Hand Signals | Staggered Formation | Passing


Hand Signals

START ENGINES

With your right or left arm
extended, move your index
finger in a circular motion.

LEFT TURN

Raise your left arm
horizontal with your
elbow fully extended.

RIGHT TURN

Raise your left arm
horizontal with your
elbow bent 90 degrees
vertically.

HAZARD LEFT

Extend your left arm at
a 45 degree angle and
point towards the hazard.

HAZARD RIGHT

A Extend your right leg at a
45 degree downward angle to
signal the hazard.

HAZARD RIGHT B

Extend your left arm upward
at a 45 degree angle with your
elbow bent to 90 degrees and
point towards the hazard over
your helmet.

SPEED UP

Raise your left arm up and down
with your index finger extended
upward.  This indicates the
leader wants to speed up.

SLOW DOWN

Extend your left arm at
a 45 degree angle and move
your hand up and down.

STOP

Extend your left arm at
a 45 degree angle with the
palm of your hand facing rearward.

SINGLE FILE

Position your left hand over
your helmet with your fingers
extended upward.  This indicates
the leader wants the group in a
single file formation. Usually this
is done for safety reasons.

STAGGERED FORMATION

Extend your left arm upward
at a 45 degree angle with your
index and pinkie finger extended.
This indicate that it is safe to
return to staggered formation.

TIGHTEN UP

Raise your left arm and
repeatedly move up and down
in a pulling motion.  This
indicates the leader wants the
group to close ranks.

PISSED OFF

Extend your left arm straight out
with your elbow bent 90 degrees.
Carefully extend your middle finger
to clearly demonstrate your
dissatisfaction with the other guy.
NOTE:  It is not recommended
you do this when you are alone

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Durham HOG Philosophy:

The Durham, Ontario, Harley Owners Group® (H.O.G.®) promotes responsible motorcycling activities for group members by conducting Chapter activities and encouraging participation in other H.O.G.® events while maintaining a family-oriented philosophy. The goal of this Chapter is to generate an increased level of enthusiasm for riding Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, and to promote a positive image of motorcycling.


  

Riding Staggered

Durham H.O.G. generally rides in a staggered formation for safety reasons.  The minimum recommended spacing to the bike directly in front of you should not be less than two seconds (the two second rule). The bike in the lane to your left or right should not be less than one second ahead of you.  You will find that two seconds is a long distance when riding at highway speeds. That is it's a long distance when everything is going well. When things go wrong, however, two seconds distance is gone in the time it takes to figure out you are in trouble.

The two second rule is a rule of thumb should try to adhere to this rule when possible, especially at highway speeds. There are times, however when it is best to squeeze together while in city streets & while slowing for a stop. This will help prevent cars from entering the group.

The last bike should ride in the middle of the two bike lanes with all head lights and running lights on.  This will help the lead bike see the last bike.  Refer to the image to the right.


Group Passing

As a group, it can be difficult to pass a slow moving car on any road with two or more lanes of same-direction traffic.  This is especially true with moderate to heavy traffic.  Often there is not enough room for the entire group to get between cars in the faster lane.

The way to accomplish this is for the last bike to pull over one lane to the left and hold his position.   Each rider should move to the left lane as the cars in front of the rear biker pass them.  You can then pass the slow car as a group after the lead rider moves to the left lane.

The lead  rider should move back to the right lane after passing the slow car by a safe distance.  It is very important that the lead rider maintain speed to make room for all the other riders.  Each rider should move back to the right lane one at a time once safely cleared the slow car.  This can be a real slick choreographed move for other motorists to observe.

During a lane change into a lane moving slower than the group (usually to the right), the FRONT bike moves over first.  Now, what do the rest of the bikes do? Legally, if the whole group moves like a "brick" (everyone changing lane together in one movement), that is considered to be parading and can cause problems if any emergency arises. Also, if you remember from your MSF classes, you learned that you and you alone are responsible for your own safety. So, if each bike individually changes lanes in order following the first bike to change lanes (whether from the front or the back), you can reduce your risk factor, change lanes legally, and still look REAL GOOD while doing the maneuver!

It is important that the lead and tailing bikers talk to each other before the ride and come to an agreement on how they intend to pass cars.