RULES OF THE ROAD

(Excerpts taken from the Omaha-Council Bluffs HOG publication)

The following are examples of safety precautions recommended by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:

HAND SIGNALS

Hand signals should be kept simple, easy to learn, and few in number. Either the rider or the passenger can relay the signal. As soon as you see a signal given, you should give the same signal so the rider behind you can see it. These hand signals are not always used by all the groups you ride with. These tips have been assembled as suggestions only.

START YOUR ENGINES

When your bike is running, place your hand (right or left) on the top of the windshield. If you do not have a windshield, raise your hand. This tells the road captain that everyone is ready to go.

STAGGERED RIDING

The lead motorcycle should be in the left 1/3 of the lane, the second motorcycle should be in the right 1/3 of the lane, and so on. Each motorcycle should leave enough room for the motorcycle in front to make a maneuver (right or left), without having to worry about hitting the rear motorcycle. Always stay in line with the bike in front of you and do not switch between the left and right side of the lane.

SLOW DOWN

Use either arm, straight down and palm towards the back. Move your arm back and forth at the elbow.

HAZARD IN THE ROAD

Point with left hand at the object. Sometimes in group riding, the road captain may wave his left arm back and forth above his head to alert the rest of the group. He is the only person who should do this maneuver.

PASSING OTHER VEHICLES

1) Pre-pass position. Be far enough behind the vehicle you are going to pass to be able to see clearly down the road to do an “oncoming traffic check”.

2) Signal. If you have a passenger, have the passenger signal as well.

3) Do a mirror check. Then do a head check of your blind spot to make sure no one is passing you.

4) When passing, accelerate and change lanes. Remember, you legally cannot exceed the speed limit.

5) When returning to your lane, signal. Make a mirror check and a head check to be sure there is space between you and another motorcycle. Return to your lane and turn off your blinker.

INTERSTATE PASSING

No more than three motorcycles should pass at the same time. This allows an “out”, if needed. The entire group should not be in the passing lane. In large groups, the last motorcycle could turn into the passing lane to allow the rest of the group to pass as a unit. However, this is not recommended unless all of the riders are experienced riders. ALWAYS pass in a staggered RIDING POSITION. This allows room for each motorcycle to switch from the right to left track if needed.

TWO LANE PASSING

Should have no more than two motorcycles pass at a time. NEVER have the last motorcycle pull out and slow traffic so the group can pass as a unit. Pass in a staggered formation.

WHEN BEING PASSED

If you are riding in a large group, slow to allow the passing vehicle to get around you safely. If, for example, you are in the middle of the group, you may want to slow to allow a gap in the group so the passing vehicle can pass the group one-half at a time. Passing anytime can be hazardous. Use common sense.

AFTER THE PASS

The rider can do one of two things:

1) Stay in the passing lane until the last motorcycle has made the pass and then change lanes.

2) The lead rider makes the lane change going to the right track until he can clearly see that the other motorcycles have made their lane change.

Bear in mind, if the lead rider stays in the passing lane, be sure there is no oncoming traffic. AGAIN, no more than two for two lane passing, or three for Interstate passing, at a time.

NEED GAS

Point at the gas tank.

SPEED

Do not ride above the posted speed. If there are 35-40 bikes in the pack, the time from which you start at a traffic light until the time the last bike leaves the same light may be 3-4 minutes. If you are speeding, the last bikes will try to catch up. This will cause a “rubber band” effect within the group.

EXPERIENCE

We encourage our new and under-experienced riders to ride at the front of the group of bikes. It will be easier to see hand signals from this position. Please remember to maintain the staggered riding position.

DROP OUT

If you intend to drop out of the pack before it reaches its destination, please give this information to the road captain. It will save an unnecessary stop for the pack.

OTHER TIPS:

1) When in a tight curve, the rider on the outside of the curve should give room to the rider on the inside in case the curve is too tight to negotiate that speed without excessive crowding.

2) Use the buddy system of riding and if your buddy has trouble and must pull out of the group, pull off the road with them and offer any assistance you can. A road captain will also stop to help.

3) Keep a safe distance behind the bike in front of you and know the stopping power of your motorcycle.

4) Be aware of openings as you ride so that you will have some place to maneuver in case of an emergency. Also, be aware of the riders around you (especially the one to your side) and give each other as much room to maneuver as possible in any situation.

5) Always try to keep the pack tight without crowding each other. Maintain an appropriate following distance. Remember that some riders in the group may not know where they are going and could end up “leading” the remainder of the pack with no idea where to go or how to get there.

6) Be a courteous rider. Let that vehicle through and then close the gap.

7) Never ride in someone’s blind spot.