This document is intended to provide a set of standardized procedures for formation riding, allowing group rides to be accomplished with more fun, efficiency, and most important, safety. The procedures outlined here are not the only way to accomplish the maneuvers, but suggested ways for Florida XVII members to conduct safe, efficient formation riding. This page is a living document, always changing as we refine our formation riding techniques.

These procedures should generate discussion in the issues it addresses which will advance the riding skills and proficiency of our members, leading to safer group rides.

It should be emphasized safety is paramount and each rider has both the duty and responsibility to ride "their own ride" if they are uncomfortable with what is happening around them.

If you bring guests, always welcome, on our rides, please have them read this page before the ride.

All Florida XVII rides require helmets to be worn by all riders.

A rider’s meeting will be held before each ride. The ride will be briefed by the ride leader immediately before the ride. The following items should normally be briefed. Other items may be added as appropriate.

Leader, Navigator (#2), Tail Sweep, Pick Up Rider, Line Up, Destination, Fuel Stops, Route, Caution Areas, Formation - Abreast, staggered, single line, Lane Changing, Hand Signals, Parking, Lane Changing, Entering and Leaving Formation, Breakdown, Accident, Communications, Forecast Weather

The Bikes will line up two abreast with the leader and navigator (number two bike) in the first row. All bikes will be two abreast, with the rider as the reference point. The leader will enter the roadway, with a gentle acceleration, necessary to prevent the group from unnecessarily stringing out.

Staggered - The staggered formation is preferred for most group riding. The staggered formation is defined by two columns of bikes in one traffic lane, with each of the bikes being on a diagonal to the bike in front and to the rear. The leader picks his side of the lane and the second bike goes to the opposite side of the same lane. The 3^rd bike is directly behind the leader, on a diagonal to the number two bike, and so on. Each bike will have a two second interval to the rear of the bike directly ahead of them and a one second interval to the rear of the bike on the diagonal (their right or left) ahead of them.

The number two bike plays a very important role in setting the interval between bikes. The number two bike should set an interval that is normally no less than one second behind the back of the leader’s bike. All other riders should try to maintain the same interval set by the #2 bike, consistent with safety. A normal tendency is for the number two bike to ride too close to the lead, as there is no bike directly in front of the second bike. There will be times in heavy traffic where it is necessary to set intervals closer than normal in order to prevent other vehicles from breaking into the formation. Likewise, once the formation is established on the open road, an extended interval may provide more comfort and safety for the riders, allowing them to enjoy the scenery with safety and "smell the roses."

Should the leader change sides, all following bikes will also change in order to maintain the left/right spacing. If a bike drops out of the formation or a bike enters the formation, the following bikes will adjust their side to reestablish the left/right spacing.

Riders’ Space - When riding in the staggered formation, each rider "owns" the space beside him, be it to the rider’s left or right, as appropriate. This space may be "borrowed" by the bike immediately to the rear diagonal, in the case of an unexpected slowing or stopping of the formation, causing the bike to "overrun" into that area. Should a bike wish to move up into the "owned" bike’s space in order to communicate with the rider, the move should be made smartly in order to let the "owner" know the space is occupied.

Single Line

There will be situations where the road/lane becomes extremely narrow, or an obstruction, such as a bicycle rider, may appear which makes the staggered formation impracticable. When the leader sees this, he will signal the formation with a single finger raised vertically over his head. All riders will repeat this signal and when the number two bike moves directly behind the rider, all bikes will move into single file. When the conditions permit, the leader will signal a return to the staggered formation by holding up his forefinger and small finger vertically and rotating his hand. When the number two bike moves to the opposite side of the leader, all others will break single file and move to the appropriate side of their lane.

Abreast

Riding two abreast is normally limited to low speed parades. It is normally illegal during normal roadway transits and not as safe as the staggered formation when riding at normal road speeds.

Lane Changes

Once on the roadway, the leader will choose whether to ride on the left or right side of the lane. Normally, the left side of the lane is preferred, however, either side may be chosen. When the leader decides to change lanes, he may move to the side of the lane in which the formation will move. By being on the intended turn side, his rear visibility for making the move into the new lane is increased. Any time the leader moves from one side of the lane to the other, all bikes will change sides, maintaining their staggered formation. Radios or a small formation may negate the advantages of the leader changing sides.

To change lanes the leader will use his turn signal when ready to initiate the lane change. He will also issue a radio call to the Tail Sweep, if they are radio equipped. All other bikes in the formation will repeat his signal. When the Tail Sweep receives the lane change signal and it si safe, he will move to the new lane, blocking any vehicles from passing and advise the lead on the radio. Once the entire lane area beside the formation is clear, the leader will visually head check the new lane and then move to the new lane. As the leader moves, all formation riders will follow, each doing a head check before moving into the new lane. Should there be a vehicle in the adjacent lane after the tail sweep has blocked oncoming traffic, the leader may slow the formation in order to "force" the adjacent vehicle to the front of the formation, thereby "clearing" the lane for the move.

Stopping

When the formation comes to a stop, the riders will stop two abreast, using the body as the reference point. If there is an odd number of bikes in the formation, the last bike may move to the center of the lane at the stop.

Hand/foot Signals

When the leader provides a hand signal, it will normally be over his head for all riders in his immediate vicinity to see. Each rider will repeat the signal until all riders in the formation have acknowledged the signal by repeating it.

Road hazards will be encountered, such as dead animals, objects, and potholes in the roadway. These obstructions will be signaled by each rider holding out his right or left leg, depending on the side of the obstruction. This signal may be initiated by any rider and will be repeated by those behind.

Disabled Motorcycles

In the event a bike falls out of formation due to mechanical malfunction, the designated "pick up rider" will also drop out with the disabled bike. The pick up rider should have a CB radio and a cellular telephone to call for help, if necessary. The tail sweep will radio the leader of the breakdown, who will decide to stop or continue the route. In the event there is no radio communication between the tail sweep and the leader, a drop out will be signaled by three short beeps of the horn which is passed up the formation until the leader acknowledges the signal with a thumbs up.

Accident

In the event of an accident, the leader will pull to the side of the road as soon as it is safe. Those riders behind the accident will pull over and render assistance, as necessary, being mindful of:

• Rendering first aid
• Warning approaching traffic
• Calling for assistance.