Riding a motorcycle can be an enjoyable experience. Riding alongside others who share your beliefs can be even more so. Nevertheless, when it comes to safe motorcycle group riding, many riders do not know the basics.What hand signals should a rider know?
Communication between motorcycle riders in formation is, for obvious reasons, difficult. And riders should never ride and try to talk on their phones. Hand signals are the best option to safely and effectively share information.
Some common hand signals include signaling for stops, turns, speed adjustments, roadway issues, and even immediate needs like fuel or comfort requirements. Check out this hand signals guide before your next ride.
What kind of formation should group riders use?
Georgia law does permit the riding of two motorcycles abreast in a single lane O.C.G.A. §40-6-312 (2010). Although it may be legal, it is not the safest choice as when two motorcycles share a lane if one loses control, it is more likely to become tangled with another and therefore both riders are susceptible to harm.
Instead, the safer way to ride is in a staggered or “zigzag” formation. This means the lead and sweep riders take their place in the left hand side of the lane while riders in the middle alternate sides. This ensures that riders are able to avoid hazards or make emergency maneuvers without endangering other riders.
