Ride Safety Policy
In the motorcycling community, there are various methods to manage a group ride such as pack
management and signals. With the nature of our participants (clubs, lone wolves, highly
experienced riders, to new riders), we have observed those skill sets. The differences between
each group that rides with us have at times caused some confusion.
To resolve this, we have adopted a standard that is simplest and widest known. It may not be
the best way or your way. However, for the time that you ride with us, we ask that you adopt our
methods.
If you know a better way, send us an email (
[email protected] ) and we will review it
at our next meeting of the Road Safety Team. During the ride, if you feel it’s urgent for safety
reasons, please see the Lead Bike or Lead Tail Gunner to discuss.
Helmets (DOT, ECE 22.05 or Snell standards) are mandatory to participate in TRB Events.
TRB Events ride in staggered formation, not knuckle to knuckle. MC’s that want to travel
knuckle to knuckle ride behind the Tail gunners.
If there is a gap in the pack, stay in the lane you are in. If the gap is in front of you speed up and
fill the gap. If it is in the other lane do not merge into that lane, let them fill the gap. This reduces
the chance of tagging tires.
Vehicles trying to merge, don’t stop them. Make room and allow them in. They will not stay in
the middle of the motorcycles and will transition out. If they don’t, police escort or Tailgunners
will handle the situation.
Bikes pulling trailers, Trikes, Spyders, Slingshots are at the rear of the pack in front of the Tail
gunners. Due to the size of that type of vehicle, they ride single file.
Spacing between bikes (Rule of Seconds) – Allow for 2 seconds behind the bike in front of you
and 1 second behind the bike diagonal to you. Pick an object at the side of the road. When the
bike in front of you passes it, start to count till your front wheel passes that object. To obtain
proper time and space adjust your speed accordingly. Manage this as best as possible during
the ride. Other vehicles see this gap and try to merge at times.
Do not fixate on the bike in front of you. You will slow down and the accordion effect starts. Look
around, enjoy the ride, be aware of the bikes around you but don't fixate on them. Ride normal.
Look after your safety and consider the safety of other riders.
There are different skill levels of riders. Some have been riding for decades, years or months.
Don't be upset if someone is cautious about riding in a pack. Some have never done so. If you
are intimidated about riding in a pack, feel free to ride in front of the Tail gunners. They will not
push you. They will ride with you and help you.
Tailgunners are located at the rear of the ride. If for any reason you have to pull over, do so by
yourself. If you are adjusting gear and do not need assistance, put your thumb in the air until
Tailgunners pass. If you do not put your thump in the air one of the Tailgunners will stop and try
to help.
When passing a vehicle on the right accelerate and get past, don’t try to pass on cruise control.
Do not cut the other vehicles off. Give it at least a few seconds past them before you pull in front
of them. Don’t decelerate after you complete the pass, bikes behind you need in too. Once all
bikes have passed, the Lead Bike will slow the group down.
If you need to break out of the pack for any reason do so. Please get the attention of the bike to
your right (if you’re in the left tire track) so they know you are coming over. Once you leave the
group, do not attempt to catch up and rejoin. You can meet up with us at one of the stops
ahead. Please signal to the Tail Gunners with your thumb in the air, so they know you’re good
and don't follow you. If you plan to leave for the day before the end of the ride, advise the Lead
Tail Gunner at the stop before and position yourself to the rear to allow leaving the ride easier.
If the event of an accident the Lead Tail gunner will take scene over. Witnesses also remain at
the scene until police and EMS arrive. Remainder of ride group proceeds. Lead Tailgunner
arranges witness bikes as a traffic guide. Remaining Tailgunners proceed with the ride to the
next stop or pull over with front of pack in safe place. Lead Tailgunner and Lead Bike will advise
each other and sort details as needed. When Emergency Services at the scene of accident are
done with all witnesses, Lead Tailgunner will organize group to meet up with main body of the
ride.
Traffic/Intersection Control – Regardless of the presence of police officers or authorized traffic
control personnel, the TRB Road Crew is still in charge of the command and control of the ride,
with the Lead Bike having the final say. When police traffic services are available, they will be
responsible for blocking and control of intersections. Should police escorts not be present then
the Road Crew takes over. Depending on the local Highway Traffic Act they may be allowed to
provide us with limited blocking. However, they are not police escorts and must follow the laws
like any other motorist.
If you see escort police take off with lights and sirens do not follow them, they are responding to
a dispatched call.
Be aware of the location of the police escorts at all times, they may come up on you suddenly
from behind or need to dart back in, to avoid oncoming traffic or obstacles – give them the room
they need.
When the ride proceeds through an intersection, if officers controlling traffic take note of how
many officers there are. When we move into single file the officers will be passing on the left.
When the officers that were in the intersection pass, feel free to move back into two files, when
safe, and roll on your throttle.
If police officers are not present, the Lead Bike will keep the group together. Group Safety is
paramount. Expect that the following may occur:
Lead Bike may stop the group before the traffic control light turns from green to yellow (if it can
be safely done), when the amount of time left on the green is insufficient for the group to all
make it through;
The pack may get split if the traffic control light turns red.
Signals: When a signal is given, always make sure you pass it back. All will be demonstrated in
the safety brief of each morning and on the stops for new riders that join in part way.
Single File: Single finger raised above the head (LEAD BIKE INITIATES THIS), Form Single
File, when safe to do so.
Two Files: Two fingers held above the head. Move back to 2 Files when safe to do so.
Tighten up: Open hand palm up, finger splayed, closed slowly to a fist; repeats at least three
times. This will be used by Tail gunners and Waist gunners. They will pull up beside you if there
is a gap, get your attention and use this hand signal. DO NOT take offence, the accordion really
sucks and is dangerous if cars decide to cut in.
Signal light left on: Arm down at 45°, open palm facing rearward; finger splayed, closed slowly
to a fist; repeats at least three times. Offender owes ice cream or beverage to signaler who
alerts them (only valid for that ride day until end of evening celebrations).
Obstacles in the road: If coming to an obstacle on the road, point with your feet not your
hands. Keep your hands on your bars for control. If you are passing obstacles to the right, point
with your left foot, if passing on the left, point with your right foot.
Left turn: Left arm Straight out perpendicular to the ground (demonstrate)
Right turn: Left arm Straight out perpendicular to the ground bent t elbow so forearm points
straight up (demonstrate) (demonstrate)
Slow down: Left arm Straight out perpendicular to the ground, palm down; motion toward
ground until 45° down; repeat at least 3 times
U-Turn: Similar gesture as right turn but make a vertical circle in the air with your fist twice; then
extend thumb and point rearward to indicate direction of travel (demonstrate)
Round-About: Similar gesture as U-turn but make a vertical circle in the air with your fist twice;
then extend number of fingers to match the desired exit. A knife-hand gesture may follow to
indicate direction of travel (demonstrate) (demonstrate)
Leaving the Group (demonstrate)
Break Down: make a fist and tap top of helmet 3 times.
Tapping Out: with a flat palm, facing down, tap top of helmet 3 times.
Waving is highly encouraged. Please, use ALL of your fingers not just “the one”. We are trying
to portray a good image and are riding for a cause. Alienating or making others angry does not
serve us.
Reviewed / Revised 01-24-2024