Question for those that ride in large groups....

[wyliec]

I was out on the spyder yesterday stopped at a red light. I saw approaching what seemed to be like 50 or more bikes. The group posted a rider at the light on both sides of the road to hold traffic. Although this appeared to be a good idea and I really had no intention of crossing the road until they all had passed, is that legal?

[rnet]

I was out on the spyder yesterday stopped at a red light. I saw approaching what seemed to be like 50 or more bikes. The group posted a rider at the light on both sides of the road to hold traffic. Although this appeared to be a good idea and I really had no intention of crossing the road until they all had passed, is that legal?

Probably not, but we did it right in front of a sheriff car at spyderquest and they did nothing. I believe they know it's safer than the alternative. Good question , ask your son in-law.

[Highwayman2013]

Hey, I thought what happens at SpyderQuest stays at SpyderQuest. I have been on many group rides in PA and it is usually done to keep everyone together.

[CurtG]

There's presently an effort here in Ohio to try and make road guards legal and to get some sort of standard training for thme. It's biggest opposition is from law enforcement.

Ride and ride safe,

[ARtraveler]

Road guards are not legal here in AK. But--I have seen it happen when there were large groups of 1% ers. The group I ride with breaks down into sub groups of 7 or so motorcycles. This is specifically to not impede traffic and get other vehicle drivers ticked off. We keep about a four to six block distance between groups. It makes for a safer pack environment and less likelihood of a bad pile up happening.

[Bob Denman]

Call me antisocial ; riding in really big groups can be an invitation to disaster!
Differences in riding skils, comfort with riding at speeds, communications issues, keeping everybody fueled up and running without breakdowns...

[SpyderDeb]

Here in MN it is not legal to block traffic. In WI it is. That being said you have to check with the state you are in. As far as riding in large groups, for me it's not a problem. I must admit tho that most of the large groups I ride with are HD. A lot of us have taken the Safety motorcycle courses, along with the advanced riding and accident scene management training. I ride with three different HD clubs, all ride the staggered position. New riders usually ride in the front as that's where the speed is the slowest. If a new rider is having issues then a Road Captain will take them to the back and ride with them individually to help them out and give them some pointers. After all we all had a start day They have a pre-ride meeting before the ride, going over the route we'll be taking, which is checked usually the day before by the road captain leading the ride along with other road captains, hand signals, debris on the road, medical concerns if someone has some(bee sting, etc), what to do if someone goes down, getting split up at intersections/stop signs etc. It's really cool to look in your mirror and see all the bike behind you, or if your more towards the back the bikes in front!

[cuznjohn]

I was out on the spyder yesterday stopped at a red light. I saw approaching what seemed to be like 50 or more bikes. The group posted a rider at the light on both sides of the road to hold traffic. Although this appeared to be a good idea and I really had no intention of crossing the road until they all had passed, is that legal?

it is not legal unless it is a police authorized run and the cops block the side roads, but i have done it way too often with my car for funerals

[dizzyspots]

@AK...our GW group always did the same thing...max 6 bikes....easier for the group to stay together...easier to pass and easier and better public relations for our brothers and sister in vehicles who may need to pass as well....overall just easier to manage. We also gropuped riders according to experience and always had a designated lead and tailgunner. Worked very well

[grumpybob]

Most of the organized rides I have been on here in NY have been police escorted and we have had the police, local firefighters, and bikes block intersections. I do believe before each ride started the was a meeting to discuss what was to happen. All levels (local, county, & state police) have been involved. Don't know if it is legal without police involvement. Seems to work very well when police are involved. Normally the bikers blocking will wear a Green Vest.

[Chupaca]

It's done to keep the group together. The larger the group the harder this is to accomplish. We usually regroup after lights though we try to take roads without hitting lights. But larger groups have a problem even re grouping. Some of the larger rides we have been on have started going in waves (smaller groups) and meeting at the designated location. But legal don't think so, but we all do it from time to time and have never had a problem. Just not in major traffic areas...!!

[SpyderAnn01]

Here in MN it is not legal to block traffic. In WI it is. That being said you have to check with the state you are in. As far as riding in large groups, for me it's not a problem. I must admit tho that most of the large groups I ride with are HD. A lot of us have taken the Safety motorcycle courses, along with the advanced riding and accident scene management training. I ride with three different HD clubs, all ride the staggered position. New riders usually ride in the front as that's where the speed is the slowest. If a new rider is having issues then a Road Captain will take them to the back and ride with them individually to help them out and give them some pointers. After all we all had a start day They have a pre-ride meeting before the ride, going over the route we'll be taking, which is checked usually the day before by the road captain leading the ride along with other road captains, hand signals, debris on the road, medical concerns if someone has some(bee sting, etc), what to do if someone goes down, getting split up at intersections/stop signs etc. It's really cool to look in your mirror and see all the bike behind you, or if your more towards the back the bikes in front!

I rode with HOG in Michigan and you are so right. Riding in a group that is not only organized but trained makes a huge difference. I've seen their accident scene management in use and it works really well.

[Desert Spyder]

It is NOT legal in Calif, however, individual depts may look the other way depending on traffic conditions and circumstances. For instance, in LA county the CHP, SO and LAPD are liable to throw the book at you but in neighboring San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange county they might let it slide. In LA county you must cover offroad lights and overhead warning lights when not in use on your 4 wheeled vehicles. The PGR uses road guards and picks a lot on missions, but, thats off the record. Spyders make excellent road guards btw, and the Rotax can get you to where you want to go in good time. But they are on the bulky side.

[Illinois Boy]

Here in MN it is not legal to block traffic. In WI it is.

Checked Wisconsin's MV laws, and also called a State Patrol office to verify, because I thought it was also.

It is NOT LEGAL in Wisconsin.

Just didn't want anyone to be misinformed and believe it was.

90% of my riding is in WI where we block all the time and have never had a problem with authorities when doing so with common sense.

Wisconsin, however, is very bike-friendly state.

[boborgera]

Usually not legal,
That said i haven't ridden in groups since the early 70's.
I would radder control my own destiny, And not worry about people around me...
Just me nothing wrong with group rides, If done right...

[SpyderDeb]

Checked Wisconsin's MV laws, and also called a State Patrol office to verify, because I thought it was also.

It is NOT LEGAL in Wisconsin.

Just didn't want anyone to be misinformed and believe it was.

90% of my riding is in WI where we block all the time and have never had a problem with authorities when doing so with common sense.

Wisconsin, however, is very bike-friendly state.

OOPS!!!! MY BAD I apologize!! Thanks for checking, I'll be correcting some Road Captains !!! Other than our long trips, we ride over 90 percent in Wisconsin also. Nice to live only seven miles from there

[MouthPiece]

Call me antisocial ; riding in really big groups can be an invitation to disaster!
Differences in riding skils, comfort with riding at speeds, communications issues, keeping everybody fueled up and running without breakdowns...

Ditto, except we aren't antisocial. Just pragmatists.

​Chris

[Illinois Boy]

OOPS!!!! MY BAD I apologize!! Thanks for checking, I'll be correcting some Road Captains !!! Other than our long trips, we ride over 90 percent in Wisconsin also. Nice to live only seven miles from there

In Wisconsin, many times when cars see a large group wanting to enter the road they will stop and let the group out. Do not see that happen in too many states.

[stevedfive]

If you put a road captain in between every 6 to 10 bikes you pretty much guarantee everyone will get where you are going.

[flamingobabe]

Up front ...I don't usually ride in groups...but it sure works good when several have CB's and can let the ones up front know whats happening in the back

[Bob Denman]

We had that HUGE crew getting herded toward SpyderFest back in April...
The lead, and the tailgunner were in constant contact via CB; it made it much easier to navigate the traffic along Route 70!

[Magdave]

They do make decent radios these days that could be plugged into the aux jack. It may not help in talking but could in hearing someone who is 2 up using the passenger to communicate vs CB's Some of them even work with ear plug/mic combos but you would still have to push the send button.

[CurtG]

We had that HUGE crew getting herded toward SpyderFest back in April...
The lead, and the tailgunner were in constant contact via CB; it made it much easier to navigate the traffic along Route 70!

Traffic, I70, how long has that been going on . One slab I generally try to avoid .
40 is more interesting anyway, slow, but interesting.

Ride and ride safe,

[Pirate looks at --]

It is NOT legal in Calif, however, individual depts may look the other way depending on traffic conditions and circumstances. For instance, in LA county the CHP, SO and LAPD are liable to throw the book at you but in neighboring San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange county they might let it slide. In LA county you must cover offroad lights and overhead warning lights when not in use on your 4 wheeled vehicles. The PGR uses road guards and picks a lot on missions, but, thats off the record. Spyders make excellent road guards btw, and the Rotax can get you to where you want to go in good time. But they are on the bulky side.

Like we will be doing this weekend, the CHP will be doing the escort and intersection control.

[Bob Denman]

Traffic, I70, how long has that been going on . One slab I generally try to avoid .
40 is more interesting anyway, slow, but interesting.

Ride and ride safe,

It was necessary; we were connecting Pittsburgh, and St Louis...