“Blue Knights -Chapter XIII”

 

Rules for Organized Rides

 

Introduction:

 

In an effort to provide for a safe and enjoyable ride for all participants, the following information relating to group riding has been provided.

 

General Guidelines:

 

  1. All riders taking part in a group ride must conform and comply with all local and state laws in effect where the group will be riding.
  2. Guests are always welcome on our rides (unless it is a member’s only ride).  You are responsible for your guest and it is your responsibility to inform him / her of all club rules before the ride. (i.e. hand signals etc.) All guests must be introduced to the Road Captain before the ride commences.
  3. All riders to included guest riders must have a valid motorcycle license in his/her possession at all times and produce it if asked by the club “President” and/or “Road Captain.”
  4. No ride will be officially sanctioned by the “Blue Knights, Chapter XIII” without approval of the Chapter “President”.

 

Three Types of official sanctioned rides:

                      

                     1   “Club Rides” – Members of the “Blue Knights, Chapter XIII”, Family

                            members, and their invited guest.

2        “Closed Rides” – Members of “Blue Knights Chapter XIII” and Family

  members ONLY.

3        “Open Rides”  - Any ride where “Blue Knights Chapter XIII”, rides

 With any another group or club to ride, may be organized or sanctioned       

  by a non-Club group. (i.e. Trail of Tear ride)

 

  1. Pre-Ride Briefing- The “Road Captain” (or designee) will give instructions to all riders regarding the ride route, final destination, the duration of the ride, break/stop locations, (when possible) any ride related safety information, and identify the “Assistant Road Captain” before each ride.  The “Assistant Road Captain” will conduct a “head count” before each ride to obtain a total number of riders (including passengers) and again at each stop and the final destination to insure that all bikes and riders are accounted for.

 

  1. Each member should make it their business to become as familiar and knowledgeable about the ride route as possible.

 

 

 

 

Road Rules:

 

1.      The Road Captain- after having been selected by a majority of the Active Club Members shall have the unchallenged authority to terminate a member’s participation in a ride or riding event should the member’s conduct be deemed unsafe, or an embarrassment to the club, or our law enforcement profession.  (Additional club sanctions may be implemented by the Club Officers at a later time/date, up to and including termination of membership)

 

2.      The Road Captain -shall have the authority to designate one or more “Assistant Road Captains” as needed to assist during the ride.  The “Road Captain” may also appoint “Road guards” whenever necessary to assist in managing a ride. In the absence of the “Road Captain”, all ride authority is transferred to the “Asst. Road Captain”. Should both “Road Captains” be absent the authority shall transfer to the highest ranking Club Officer (i.e. President) or Ranking Club member or his/her designee.

 

 

3.      Riding positions (during formation) and general instructions

 

A.    Road Captain:  normally will be found in the “Lead” position, (first row left side) but may ride in any position within the riding group as determined by the ride conditions.

B.     President-  The President should normally ride in the first row right column, but should not ride further back than the number three position.

C.     Club Officers- (i.e. vice-pres, secretary) shall ride in the rows following the “Road Captain” and club “President”.

D.    Patch Holders- All active Club Members displaying “colors” followed by active club members not displaying colors.

E.     Prospects- Any rider who is a prospective member but does not have full membership at the time of the ride.

F.      Guest – Any rider invited by an active member to ride with the group.

G.    Assistant Road Captain – The “Assistant Road Captain” will serve as designated by and under the authority of the “Road Captain”.  His/Her main duty is to ride as a “rear guard” during the ride and upon receiving the signal for a lane change, should move into the lane as soon as it is safe to do so and block any other traffic from moving into the lane from behind the formation while the group changes lanes.  This will allow the formation to safely complete the lane change. (See Lane Changes below)

H.    Escort Vehicle- An escort vehicle may be used to carry luggage, equipment, tools, and/or none rider family members during any organized ride.  If an Escort Vehicle is use it will always travel to the rear of the “Assistant Road Captain” and will not break the group without specific direction from the “Road Captain” to do so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.      Riding Formations:  During group rides the club will use one of three basic riding Formations the default formation will be the “Staggered formation”

 

A.    Staggered formation – In the Staggered Formation before moving and when the bikes come back to a stop the bikes should be in two columns abreast.  When the formation begins to move forward the left bike in each row will take the lead in each row.  Each bike should be 1 second behind the bike in the adjacent column and 2 seconds behind the bike ahead.                          

 

      The staggered formation will be the default or standard group riding

      formation unless the “Road Captain” has pre-designated or made a change by

hand signal to use a different formation during a group ride.  (See below)

 

 

B.     Double Formation – In the Double Formation the bike will stand and move in two columns abreast.

 

The Double Formation may be used at slow speed or when it is needed to tighten the group’s length for safety.  The “Road Captain” may change the riding formation to a “Double Formation” at anytime during the group ride at his/her discretion by the use of “hand signal” (See below)

 

C.     Single Formation- In the Single Formation the left bike from each row will take the lead position behind the right bike from the row forward. 

 

      The “Single Formation” may be used on narrow roads or in hazardous

      conditions. The “Road Captain” may change the riding formation to a “Single

      Formation” at anytime during the group rides at his/her discretion by the use

of “hand signal”. (See below) The “Road Captain” may also change the group to a “Single Formation” to allow riders to re-enter the group and retain their

      original riding position within the formation.  (i.e. road guard, road captain

      who has blocked an intersection for the group)

 

Additional Formation Riding Information:  

 

The riders should always pull up into a tight two column formation at stops.

 

When negotiating sharp curves at high speeds, such as at highway interchanges, riders may back off to create a more staggered or single file lines at their own discretion without waiting for a lead signal.  Do not exceed your comfort zone.

 

If a rider pulls out of formation, move up to fill the empty slot in your column.  In case on an emergency or mechanical problem a rider should signal his intentions and then pull out of the formation onto the shoulder of the road.  All other bikes will follow the “Road Captain” to a location where the entire formation can safely pull over.  Only the “Assistant Road Captain” riding at the rear of the formation will pull off with the bike having problems. The “Road Captain” and lead bikes should make every effort to avoid quick accelerations following stops or sharp curves to prevent a rubber-band or yo-yo effect.

 

 

5.      Lane Changes - When changing lanes the “Road Captain” will signal the lane change by turn signal and hand signal if at all possible.  Each rider should pass the signal back to the “Assistant Road Captain” at the rear of the formation while continuing to maintain their position.  Upon receiving the signal the “Assistant Road Captain” will secure the lane by moving into the lane.  After the lane is secured by the “Assistant Road Captain” the “Road Captain” or the “President” (depending if the move is to the left or right) will initiate the lane change first.  The remainder of the group will then conduct the lane change from front to rear of the group. When traveling on a multiple lane highway, each rider should use caution to make sure a cage two lanes over hasn’t moved into the same lane in front of the “Assistant Road Captain.”  Do not try to prevent vehicles from entering the group.

 

      Be aware that in some cases such as heavy traffic or short on-ramps there may not be  

      sufficient room or time to wait for the rear guard to secure the lane.  In such a case, if

      the bike in front of you changes lanes follow as safely as possible.

 

6.      Blocking Intersections - Avoid blocking intersections.  But, If an intersection is blocked by the “Road Captain” or his/her designee, the group should reduce speed and establish a “Single Formation” on the right side of the lane immediately after the intersection.  This is done by each bike on the left pulling in front of the bike to the right.  This will allow room for the blocker (s) to return to the front of the group.  Only after the “blocker (s)” has returned to his/her position should the group return to a Staggered or Double Formation at the direction of the “Road Captain”

 

7.      Road Guards -  At times when the formation is entering the road from a parking lot or going through an intersection it may be conducive to post a road guard until all bikes have passed.  This can be done by the “Assistance Road Captain” when possible to make it easier to return to his/her position in the formations rear.  During parades or special rides, permanent road guard duties may be assigned by the “Road Captain” The “Road Captain” should use discretion in the use of road guards as not to create a negative public relations issue by impeding the normal flow of traffic when un-necessary to do so.

 

8.      Highway Travel- The “Road Captain” will be responsible for setting a safe highway speed for road and weather conditions at the time.  Lane choice on multilane highways is at the discretion of the “Road Captain”.  The outside lane is usually the most dangerous due to entering and exiting traffic it should be avoided whenever possible.  The inside lane or a middle lane will normally be the lane of choice depending on traffic flow, shoulders and medians.  Lane changes may be necessary to pass slower moving vehicles. (see lane changes above)  When passing large trucks at highway speed riders should adjust their following distance to allow each rider additional movement in case of excessive turbulence during the pass.  Having said that, any adjustments to your following distance should be tightened as soon as possible after clearing the passed vehicle in order to maintain a tight group formation.

9.      Parking – When entering a parking lot, follow the lead bike (“Road Captain” or “President”).  They will attempt to find parking that will accommodate the entire group. If you cannot park with the group then locate the next closest space to park.

10.  Hand and Arm Signals -  Everyone is to pass on hand signals initiated by the lead bikes, (i.e. “Road Captain”, or any bike ahead of you)