Group Riding Techniques

You're obviously here because you like to meet other riders and/or ride with a group. There are at least two major social groups within the riding community and they are separated by those very words. The first group is the social group. They will typically all gather at a restaurant, club or bar to talk and meet other riders. They typically ride to their destination alone and meet others there.

The second group of riders is more like 360Bikers. We're about the ride. Socializing is part of the whole picture as we meet lots of really great people on our rides, but mostly we like to ride somewhere and feel the wind.

Often we have riders of varied experience when it comes to riding as a group. There are some basic rules and hand signals that help the group ride together safely. I found the link below in a search for a quick, easy-to-learn presentation of the basics for group riding. I recommend you read them before riding with any group. They are important to the safety of the group as you ride.

The file below is in PDF so you will need a reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader. Just click the link. The information sheet is only two pages and has excellent graphics. It takes just a minute or two to read, but I recommend studying the hand signals as if every ride is a test you're taking. Safety is a primary concern in our group rides at 360Bikers.

Click here for a video of group riding. We use most of these procedures.

Group Riding

Rich submitted this link with similar information as the graphics below. CLICK HERE.

Basic Hand Signals

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START ENGINES - With your right or left arm extended, move your index finger.

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LEFT TURN - Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow fully extended.

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

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

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HAZARD RIGHT (A) - Extend your right arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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STAGGERED or SIDE-BY-SIDE 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.

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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.