Group riding safety

[scubasimon]

At some point in time we will ride with others in a group. It is important that we know what to do when that situation arises. I read some articles over the last few days after a ride that I led and wrote a post on it in my blog. Here's a link for those interested. Do comment on how to improve it so the rides can be safer.

 

http://livinglifefinally.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/group-riding-safety/

[jtzx]

sweet.. nice write up simon ;-)

[scubasimon]

@jtzx: thanks man! do give feedback on how to improve!

[ahcaibiker]

nice writeup bro,

 

you might want to check out this link from PK, it has picture illustrations to go with words. pretty cool.

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258088

[racingter]

A great start up information for those Touring wannables...thumbs up for you!

[scubasimon]

@ahcaibiker: wow! didn't know there were universal hand signs...will adopt them! thanks!

 

@racingter: thanks even local rides need these...our last one had 14 riders following and it was quite tough at some stretches

[ahcaibiker]

@ahcaibiker: wow! didn't know there were universal hand signs...will adopt them! thanks!

 

 

 

yeah, sometimes we use it to communicate during our rides, more often up north to Msia. good way of communication provided it is understood both ways.

[Silent Hunter]

I thought we have been using that a lot already?

 

But then hor, good to let everyone know.

I myself forgotten the signal light one.

 

During the 14 biker ride, as last man, can see alot of funny things happening from the back.

[ahcaibiker]

I thought we have been using that a lot already?

 

But then hor, good to let everyone know.

I myself forgotten the signal light one.

 

During the 14 biker ride, as last man, can see alot of funny things happening from the back.

 

where are the guys at the back doing? not dangerous stunts i hope?

 

haha practice makes perfect,

 

this afternoon while riding with you, you used alot of hand signals like slow down and pothole/obstruction on road. good job bro!

[Silent Hunter]

Funny things like "You know who" forgotten to off signal lights. Better don't say name, otherwise embarass

... ... HER :lol:

 

And "Don't know who" following directly behind instead of in staggered formation. Kaa! Kaa! Kaa!

 

But then the ULTIMATE is still the "Mysterious Big Red Monster" that pop out of no where, at Kranji Dam (late, somemore can go wrong ESSO to wait! Muahahaha!!!! ), riding all the way behind with the side stand on.

And then slow down until stop, until people worried U-turn find him, because very c0ck, fuel C0ck forgot to on. Damn MaLu but Si Bei the Funny!

Edited January 4, 2010 by Silent Hunter

[scubasimon]

I updated with some pictures

 

http://livinglifefinally.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/group-riding-safety/

[Fried Rice]

haha i am reading them now

[scubasimon]

@Silent Hunter: you crack me up man!! hahahaha!

[DeusExMachina]

Seriously, group riding don't require so much communications or hard and fast rules.

 

I find staggered convoy riding more dangerous and inconsiderate, especially in heavy traffic situation. On the highway, it may be OK, but once in traffic you run the risk of being a nuisance to other vehicles because your train of bikes (most prob on the left lane) might block other vehicles from making a left turn.

 

And bikers always b!tch about cars trying to go through their group/column, but I wonder if us bikers realize that cars NEED to make that lane change or left turn but we're obstructing them because of our little pony parade.

 

 

Another reason why I find convoy riding distracting is that; You always have to keep a constant vigil not to run into the ass of the guy in front even with safety distance. If he brakes hard, you brake hard, and you hope the fella behind also brakes hard, otherwise you have one big ass pile up.

 

Slow or fast, you maintain 1 sec separation. At low speeds, you're uncomfortably close. At higher speeds with larger separations, you might find other vehicles needing that space to turn or exit left enter your convoy in the middle. And they are not obligated to give your little convoy the right of way till they miss their turn or exit.

 

 

Personally, I think that for group touring, everyone should

1. Know the route

2. Know the turn offs

3. Know the fuel/break stops

4. Know who're the leaders, markers, sweepers

5. Stick to small groups. If it's a large group, then break up into smaller groups.

6. Do NOT form long convoy trains

7. Within the individual groups, ride at their own comfortable speed

8. Leaders, sweepers, markers, first aiders, wankers, bla bla know their roles accordingly

9. Own time, own target, meet you at the rendezvouz points.

 

 

Simple rules, no need for so many complex rules and regs. It makes touring look like a bloody National Day parade. No fun at all.

Edited January 5, 2010 by DeusExMachina

[scubasimon]

well, its different strokes for different folks. but i do agree about that large convoy thing being a nuisance to other road users and breaking into smaller groups make a lot of sense.

[DeusExMachina]

well, its different strokes for different folks. but i do agree about that large convoy thing being a nuisance to other road users and breaking into smaller groups make a lot of sense.

 

You can convoy ride on the highway, but once in the town it becomes a very tricky affair, especially when traffic lights break up the group into little pieces.

 

 

I usually practice what I posted above because the majority of my group rides are done up North. Riding in SG is not touring/riding at all.... I call it commuting. Everyday I ride to work, or to town, or home, or anywhere else on this damned island. Traffic... traffic... traffic.... so sick of it....

 

I prefer to ride with experienced tourers. Not to say that I don't ride with newbies or anything, but if there are newbies in the group, they should ride with the experienced guys (or be escorted by them).

 

Also, bikes of the same classes should be grouped together. Imagine getting a Hayabusa to babysit an XR200.... But seriously, I would prefer that the bikes in each group or even the entire tour group not to be too disparate as to cause a logistical nightmare...

 

But maybe it's just me. Touring shd be fun, and not overly stressful for anyone because of too great differences in attitudes, objectives or even timing/speed.

 

Like I said. Know the routes and stops, know your group, own time own target, carry on, see you at RV!

Edited January 5, 2010 by DeusExMachina

[scubasimon]

what is RV?

[DeusExMachina]

what is RV?

 

RV = rendezvous.

 

It's always the fuel/break stops and the end destination.

[scubasimon]

ah...i see.

[DeusExMachina]

ah...i see.

 

Yup.

 

Your group riding guide is good.

 

I'm just offering some additional and alternative suggestions. Especially on the groupings.

 

I was a newbie once, and I actually had the experience of being escorted by big bikes on a long trip. It must have been hell on the big bikes to escort my 2B bike on the NSH then. Poor them...

 

And I've also been on the receiving end of the delay when the tour organizer was riding a 2B bike and didn't like the rest of his group to overtake him. So on the trip there, we were like caged animals... sticking to 120kph on the NSH. On the journey home, all of us let loose and revved up.

 

And then there was the long convoy of 25 bikes I was in on a trip back from Cherating along the Route 3/Mersing. Sure, it was incredible to see a long line of bikes in convoy, but the M'sian cars hated us for hogging up the road.

 

And I've also seen disasters where not-so-fast bikes or riders try to keep up with the fast ones in the group and end up crashing. Not good at all. It spoils the trip for everyone.

 

 

So from my collective experience, I've learnt to keep things simple. The most important thing to do for a trip is to plan your route and itinerary. Plan, plan plan. Once you've got a tight gameplan together and everyone knows it well, the rest is smooth sailing.

[scubasimon]

the world is made of many different kinds of folks who think and do things differently from each other. i can see how the different situations will call for a different game plan. however, as you said, a guide is good as long as people also think for the situation that they are in.

 

ok...time for dinner...am STARVING!!!

[swiftee]

And I've also seen disasters where not-so-fast bikes or riders try to keep up with the fast ones in the group and end up crashing. Not good at all. It spoils the trip for everyone.

 

therefore must ensure that there is no major mismatch between the types of bikes going e.g. either all big bikes or all small bikes. but this is not so important in singapore la... more impt for longer trips

[scubasimon]

@swiftee: true. i've been with around singapore with bikes from all classes. no problems actually. longer distances can be a problem i agree. but still...it all comes down to individuals on the journey together. so flexibility is key for the situation i suppose...hahaha!

[DeusExMachina]

Yup. Group riding in SG, no diff for diff classes 'cos we all can't really go fast anyway.

 

Only thing is to avoid being a nuisance to other traffic or being a TP magnet, by riding in one big group. That's a no-no...

[SW9000]

Know the routes and stops, know your group, own time own target, carry on, see you at RV!

 

This I like.