Tips for riding with a large group

The fall months offer great conditions for large group rides on your motorcycle across the beautiful country of Canada. If it's been a few years since you last rode with your club, brushing up on some basic safety tips will help everyone get home safe and sound.

Get together before hitting the road

Hold a meeting with all the riders at a predetermined location and time. Review your route. Talk about where you will stop for fuel breaks, meals, or to catch a scenic view. Take the time to agree on responsibilities for each rider and how you will handle getting separated from the group.

Choose a leader and a sweep

Every group ride should have an experienced biker selected as the leader for the day. The leader keeps an eye on surrounding traffic and sets the pace for your crew. They signal turns, exits, and lane changes.

The sweep rider brings up the back and helps to keep your group together.

Keep your group small

Large group rides can be exhilarating, but it is very difficult to keep such a cruise safe. For larger groups, break everyone up into squads of 5 to 7 so that more eyes are watching the road and working to maintain an appropriate distance between bikes.

Stagger your riding formation

Remember your motorcycle safety class? Leave a two-second gap when following another rider. Stagger your side-by-side formation to give every rider more elbow room to swerve when needed.

If a rider drops out of the excursion, have each member of the group move up in the line by sliding into the next staggered position. This prevents your buddies from getting too close to one another when closing ranks.

Who has the safety gear?

While every rider is responsible for their own helmet, leathers, and impact suit, a fully-stocked first aid kit should be part of your group-ride gear. Have it stowed in somebody's saddlebag.

A second person should have a complete toolkit with an air compressor, so you can reach your destination even if you encounter a problem outside the city limits.

Cell phones and helmet intercoms are your friend

Motorcycle riding with friends can feel old school, but today's technology can help everyone avoid some throwback problems. Every rider should have a cell phone. Investing in helmets equipped with headphones and microphones takes the guesswork out of exiting the highway at an unexpected location and leaves your hands on the bars.

Universal hand signals communicate with other drivers

Whether you are cruising around Toronto or taking a ride to the other side of Niagara Falls, the hand signals that you learned on your safety course will be recognized by every other biker on the road. Use them even if you can talk to your buddy using an intercom.

• Stop: Hold your left arm straight out and then bend your elbow with your hand pointing down.
• Slow Down: Extend your left arm out with your palm down and lower your arm to tell your followers to get off the gas.
• Speed Up: Hold your left palm to your side with your arm extended down and move the arm forward and up for a universal, "Let's get going!" motion.
• Hazard Alert: Give other riders a heads-up by pointing to a road hazard with your left hand or your right foot.
• Single or Double File: When entering a winding road, holding your left index finger up over your head lets everyone know to move into a single file formation. Slow down on wide city streets in double file while holding two fingers up.
• Stopping for Gas: Before taking an exit for the rest stop, point at your gas tank with your left index finger with your arm raised for the best visibility.

Think about a motorcycle safety refresher course

If it has been years since you took off for a summer ride out to British Columbia or to see the icebergs in Newfoundland, it is smart to sign up for an online motorcycle safety course endorsed by the Canada Safety Council.

Protect your bike with updated motorcycle insurance

Did you know that you and your friends could be eligible for discounts when you all sign up with Orbit Insurance Services for your motorcycle insurance? Visit our website to request a free quote today and be prepared for whatever the road throws you during your group ride.