Riding motorcycles in groups is a lot of fun. Cruising Arizona’s scenic highways with friends brings enjoyment and camaraderie. However, group rides also introduce new hazards that require caution and preparation to manage safely. Follow these tips to keep your group motorcycle rides in Arizona fun and accident-free.
Choose Your Group Wisely
Who you choose to ride with matters. Look for riders with similar experience levels and riding styles. Mixing beginners and experts often ends badly. Aggressive riders may push novice riders past their comfort zones. Overly timid newbies can frustrate experienced riders. Seek like-minded riders who share enthusiasm but avoid recklessness.
Match abilities to route difficulties. Don’t challenge novice desert riders with technical off-road trails. Make sure sportbike riders are ready for twisting mountain roads. Set destinations and routes best suited for your group’s skill level. Riders should feel confident, not pressured by the demands of the ride.
Discuss Responsibilities and Hand Signals Before Departing
Hold a pre-ride meeting to assign critical duties and agree on hand signals. Appoint a lead rider and a sweep or tail rider. The leader sets the pace and direction. The sweep rider brings up the rear to keep the group together. Hand signals notify following riders of hazards and group stops. Consistent communication is crucial for a cohesive, coordinated ride.
Allow Safe Following Distances
Adequate space cushions errors and provides reaction time. Experts recommend a minimum 2-second following distance between riders. Increase distances for beginners, poor weather conditions, or unfamiliar routes. If you’re close enough to touch the bike ahead of you, you’re too close. Utilize both front and rear spacing for a safer cushion.
Pass with Extra Caution
Passing other vehicles requires additional care in a group. The lead rider should facilitate timely group passing of cars and trucks. Avoid splitting up the group. Never pass other motorcycles in the group unless waved around by the lead rider. Beware of cars ahead that may be making left turns. Clearly signal lane changes and passes to warn other riders.
Watch Out for Pedestrians and Intersections
Ride alert near crosswalks, parking lot entrances, and intersections. Watch ahead for left-turning vehicles. Scan sidewalks for pedestrians who may step into the street unexpectedly. Cover your brakes and be ready to stop quickly. Avoid blocking crosswalks or visors up so motorists can see riders’ eyes.
Stay Alert to Surroundings
Focusing too much on the bikes around you reduces awareness of road hazards ahead. Continually scan for potholes, debris, stopping vehicles, or merging traffic. Check mirrors frequently for fast-approaching cars from behind. The most important factor is your own vigilance and defensiveness, regardless of group size. Never assume the riders ahead of you are looking out for your safety.
Follow Traffic Laws
Some riders wrongly believe there is safety in numbers when violating traffic laws. This is a dangerous fallacy. Ride like responsible, lawful motorists to avoid confrontations with law enforcement. Running red lights, illegal passing, and other infractions draw unwanted police attention. Group leaders should model prudent riding behavior for others to follow.
Practice Emergency Braking
Unexpected braking is destabilizing in a group ride. But dangerous road conditions ahead sometimes demand rapid slowing or a sudden stop. Practice emergency braking techniques to improve control and stability if hard braking becomes necessary. Squeeze the front brake lever firmly while gently pressing the rear. Stay centered on the bike with elbows bent and head up.
Use Extra Caution in Inclement Weather
Arizona’s torrential monsoon rains create slick roadways that become hazardous to motorcyclists. Braking distances increase dramatically on wet pavement. Painted lines and manhole covers get extremely slippery. Avoid riding in the center of the lane where oil drippings collect. Turn more gradually and accelerate carefully to reduce skidding in the rain.
Have an Emergency Plan
Discuss contingency plans for accidents, breakdowns, or separations. Carry fully charged cell phones to call for assistance when stopped. Share trip details and return times with loved ones. Identify points to safely reconvene if the group gets separated by traffic lights or other causes. Thinking through emergency scenarios in advance reduces confusion and stress should troubles arise.
Stay Hydrated in Arizona’s Desert Heat
Dehydration and heat exhaustion spoil long rides quickly in Arizona’s arid climate. Drink plenty of water before and during rides to avoid disorientation and loss of focus. Schedule ample rest stops in shaded areas to prevent overheating. Check on riders who seem excessively fatigued. Have an exit strategy if any member appears in danger from the heat.
Contact Us Today
Group motorcycle rides require special preparations and precautions to ensure a fun and safe experience. Awareness of potential hazards, discussion of group protocols, attention to riding conditions, and caution around other vehicles and road users will help your Arizona group rides go smoothly. However, sometimes accidents do still happen.
Monge & Associates has 32 offices in 19 states, including Arizona, Alabama, and Utah, and can be contacted on (888) 477-0597 for a free consultation regarding motorcycle accidents or injuries. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling motorcycle injury claims. Let us review your case at no initial cost.