Pre Ride - Safety Briefing
Must have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license
Follow all state laws and insurance requirements
All riders and passengers must sign and submit a liability waiver agreement prior to the scheduled ride.
Ride within your capability! We call this RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE - A rider will be posted at turns if/when our group is separated at lights or through traffic
Be DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE. Safe Rides require us all
REQUIRED
Pre-Ride CHECK
Rides will be posted with a meeting place and kickstands up time (KSU). Please allow yourself sufficient time.
Always gas up and do a pre-ride maintenance check.
Gear up! Come prepared for temperature changes, a surprise rain, sunscreen, drinking water, etc.
Helmets required. Boots highly recommended, protective jackets and pants suggested but not required.
The Lead Road Captain will do a pre-ride overview of the planned route and any stops and advise of any known road conditions.
A safety-brief precedes all rides to ensure understanding and compliance of all riders.
Riding Formation
We ride in a staggered formation to maximize space for all riders, increasing emergency reaction time. (See exception below) Trikes ride in the center of the lane with no riders beside them.
Maintain your lane position while riding. If a gap occurs due to a rider leaving his/her position, DO NOT cross lanes to fill in the gap. When it is safe to do so, the rider in front may wave the next rider to move up to fill the gap. If a gap(s) is unable to be immediately filled, simply wait until the next traffic stop.
A staggered formation should be maintained except on narrow or winding roads with blind corners. In these cases, the Lead Road Officer will initiate a single-file formation.
hand safety
Hand signals (road signals) will be used to communicate with other motorcycle riders in the group. When a signal is given, all trailing riders should also pass the signal back to help ensure everyone see it. Below are the typical signals used by IMRG during group motorcycle rides (note: some signals may be different than those used by other rider groups).
Group Riding
The Lead Road Officer will set the pace of the motorcycle ride based on road, traffic, and weather conditions. While riding in town or city limits with lots of traffic stops, group riders should try to keep the formation tight in order to more efficiently get through intersections.
The Lead Road Officer will go over any planned stops during the pre-ride overview. Gas stops will be based on the motorcycle with the least mileage range. Other unplanned stops may be merited during the ride.
If you have an emergency during the ride, motion by rapidly tapping the top of your helmet and carefully pull over to the side. The Sweep Road Officer will stop with you and then determine what measures can and will be made for you, and if necessary, remain with you until help has arrived.
