The L.A. Scooter Meetup Group is open to scooterists with varied levels of skill and experience. As such, we thought it would be good to provide some guidelines and tips for those new to group riding and those who might be accustomed to riding with other groups, many of which have their own rules. 

We have a much more extensive list in the following post. While we're not trying to enforce a bunch of rules, sticking to these basics will make the ride safer and more enjoyable for all participants.

This is by no means a definitive list of guidelines for group riding and is tailored to our organization. Please reply with any suggestions for additions or other feedback. If you're new to group riding and have concerns not addressed here, please let us know! You can also contact me directly via email: just click my name on the left to get to my profile, then click the "send email" link.

These guidelines can't replace experience and your own best judgement. We may not strictly adhere to these at all times, but they should provide a good overview. Though good group riding practices are intended improve the level of safety for all participants, each rider is responsible for their own safety.

• Every Meetup will have a Ride Leader, tasked with setting the pace and the course, and a Tail Rider, responsible for keeping the group together. No one gets left behind.
  
  
• All riders should exercise good judgment and safe riding practices on the road. A group ride is not the place to test your limits or show off your capabilities. Reckless or irresponsible riding is a danger to not just yourself but also others in the group.
  
  
• All riders should have mastery of fundamental riding skills including starting, stopping, turns and cornering, swerving, hard stops.
  
  
• We will do our best to maintain a reasonable pace suitable for all riders and scooters. Please note, though, that some rides may not be suitable for slower scooters or inexperienced riders. We will do our best to indicate this in ride announcements, but it's up to members to assess their own capabilities and ask any relevant questions.
  
  
• When riding on most surface streets, we'll most often ride in a staggered formation, with a 2-second distance between riders in each column.
  
  
• When riding on hills, curves, narrow roads or other more challenging terrain, we'll ride in a single-file formation.
  
  
• Riders must be properly licensed and insured. Be sure to bring your license, insurance card, cell phone, and an emergency contact number.
  
  
• All riders are responsible for their own safety, their riding gear, and for keeping their scooters well-maintained.
  
  
• Wear appropriate protective gear and dress appropriately for the weather.
  
  
• Please arrive on time and with a full tank of gas.
  
  
• New members: please locate and introduce yourself to the Meetup Organizer.
  

Group Riding: The Long Version…

BEFORE THE RIDE

• We have a good thread on our Message Board with general riding tips and information about training and education (here). Mastery of fundamental riding skills (including starting, stopping, turns and cornering, swerving, hard stops) is mandatory. Each rider is responsible for having proper licensing and insurance.
  
• Whether riding alone or in a group, it's important to know your limitations as a rider and to ride within your abilities. 
  You should be familiar with the limitations of your scooter as well, including top speed, cornering, and how far you can get on a tank of gas. Your scooter should be in good operating condition and properly maintained. 
  
• Examine the route and stops. We'll do our best to post route and destination information for each ride and provide links to maps. Consider the types and difficulty of the roads along the route. Also consider its length and the time commitment involved. Remember that at the end of a long ride, you may have to still go quite a ways to get home.
  
• Be sure to read the Meetup announcements carefully; they often contain important details such as route difficulty and posted speeds.
  
• Ask questions! You can post questions on the comment page for each ride, on the Discussion Boards, or email the Organizer of the meetup directly. 
  
• Pre-ride preparation: Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather (check forecast before departing). Depending on the length of the ride and between destinations, you may want to bring a bottle of water or a snack. If we're heading for a coffee house or restaurant, you may want to hit an ATM before the Meetup. Bring your camera; we like pics for the Meetup site.
  
• Essentials: cell phone, license and insurance card, and an emergency contact number. 
  Check your tire pressure and oil levels before departing. Tire pressure is a huge factor in safe riding (acceleration, turning and maneuvering, stopping) and fuel efficiency but many riders ignore it. 

AT THE MEETUP

• Arrive at the Meetup on time and with a full tank of gas. Departures tend to be on "scooter time" because of the unpredictability of traffic in our region, but you don't want to be the last to show up, do you?
  
• New members should be sure to locate and introduce yourself to the Meetup Organizer. Let the Organizer know how long you've been riding and what kind of group riding experience you have. 
  
• There will be a Ride Leader (who may not be the Meetup Organizer), who obviously rides in front and sets the pace, and a Tail Rider, who is the last rider of the group and who keeps everyone together along the route. The Ride Leader should let everyone know what the route will be and if/where there will be any stops for gas and so on along the way. If available, we will provide maps.

ON THE ROAD

• Pack Position: Newer and slower riders should ride towards the back of the group. Don't worry about falling behind; the Tail Rider will bring up the rear and the Ride Leader will pull the group over or slow down as necessary so everyone can catch up. If there's a large group with several faster and slower riders, there may be pre-arranged "catch up points" along the route and a second Leader in the middle to direct the slower group if necessary. No one will be left behind. 
  
• Staggered Formation: On most surface streets, we will ride in a staggered formation, with the Ride Leader at the front of the left side. The second person is on the right, following at a one-second distance. The third on the left again at a one-second distance. And so on. Ideally, then, you should have a minimum two-second distance between you and the rider in front of you on your side. Some people are more comfortable on one side than the other so be sure to start from your preferred position.  If everyone is in proper staggered formation, you should pay more attention to those in front of you than worrying about those in back.
  
• Pace: We will do our best to maintain a reasonable pace that works for all riders and scooters participating. If you feel those around you are riding faster than you like, you can signal them to pass you and move to the rear of the pack. At the next stop, let the Tail Rider know you're slowing your pace and continue. (If necessary, pull over to let others pass and then signal the Tail Rider.) Don't worry about falling behind or holding up the group; we plan for riders and scooter with varying capabilities.
  
• Gaps in Formation: If someone drops out of staggered formation, signals others to pass, or if a gap somehow forms, try not to change land position to fill the gap. Instead, riders in the column where the gap formed should all move up. Gaps will naturally close at stops, so don't worry about it too much on surface streets.
  
• Stops: We'll close up the gaps at stop lights, forming two solid columns with riders side-by-side. When the light turns green, the Ride Leader will pull ahead and we'll resume the staggered formation. At stop signs, two riders (left side and right side) may pass through together; the rider on the left will then pull ahead. At most stops, the Ride Leader will turn to check with the Tail Rider to see if everyone is still grouped together.
  
• Split Group: If the group is split by a red light or traffic, those behind the light should honk their horns to alert those ahead. The Ride Leader will slow the first group to allow others to catch up. If necessary, the first group will pull over to wait for the second group. If there's a pre-arranged catch-up point, the first group may proceed to that location. 
  
• Lane Splitting: Some participants may engage in lane-splitting (riding between stopped lanes of cars) to catch up to the group. Only do this if you're comfortable doing so. If not, don't worry, we'll pull the group back together.
  
• Single-File: On narrow streets, rough pavement, curves and hills, we will move to a single-file formation with a minimum 2-second space between riders to allow everyone room to maneuver.
  
• Hand Signals: The Ride Leader may employ some basic hand signals to let everyone know of an upcoming lane change or turn. Left hand aimed down at a 45 degree angle means a left turn or lane change. Left hand raised means a right turn or lane change. Any rider may also point downwards or point outwards with their right foot to indicate a hazard in the road. (Two fingers pointed down is usually a "wave" to other riders.) Riders should mimic the hand signal if they're comfortable doing so to "pass" it back so it's communicated through the group. There are other group hand signals, but these are the ones we'll most frequently use.
  
• Common Courtesies: If you have to leave the group in the middle of the ride, alert the Ride Leader or Tail Rider. Don't swerve through the formation or pass other riders. If you need to change position for some reason, do it at the next stop. Don't antagonize other motorists by unnecessarily honking, swerving or gesturing.