Group Riding Safety Tips:
YOUR RIDE MUST BE UP TO DATE ON INSURANCE & REGISTRATION TO PARTICIPATE IN CLUB RIDES!!
1.	Be on time. The group will wait 5 minutes, then leave.
2.	Show up for rides with a full tank of gas. Notify the FOO (First One Out) if your bike cannot go at least 90 miles.  We don’t always stop at a gas station for a break.
3.	Let the FOO know if you have any special needs during the pre-ride group meeting.  The FOO will discuss the ride and designated stops. We wait at the designated stops if the group gets separated.
4.	Inexperienced riders move to the front! Those in the back must ride 5 to 10 miles per hour faster to stay with the group. If you are inexperienced or uncomfortable with group riding, please stay near the front to help keep the group together and to lessen your fear of being left behind.
5.	We ride in staggered position. Let the FOO know if you are comfortable riding on only the right or left side. Leave enough room between you and the bike in front so you can see the rider’s face in his/her mirror. Ride where you are comfortable, but not so far behind that it separates the group.
6.	If you need to pull over, signal the riders behind and move to the right if you are on the left side. Slow down and find a safe spot for you and one other bike to stop. The rest of the group will follow the FOO until she finds a safe place for the entire group to pull over and wait. No one will be left behind.
7.	Use common sense, stop at yellow lights. The rest of the group will pull over at a safe place and wait if necessary. Remember that you are on the bike, not the rest of the group.
8.	When riding in the group use the zipper method to fill any vacated spots. If you are on the right, signal and move left. The riders behind will signal and switch sides until all spaces are filled.
9.	When pulling out into traffic from a stopped position or curb, give it gas and go!  If you poke around cars may run up on you quickly.
10.	Ride within your limits when riding solo or in a group.  Think, use common sense and ride your own bike; don’t just follow the person in front.
11.	When passing on a multi-lane highway, the FOO will turn on her signal.  Turn on your signal but stay in your lane.  The sweep rider will move into the passing lane first.  The rest of the group may then move into the lane.  The sweep rider is also the first to re-enter back into the right lane to complete the pass.
12.	“Bread crumbs” keep us together.  If the group is separated, the last person in the lead group should stop in a safe place and wait for the rest of the group to catch up when there is a change in direction.  This process should continue so that the group may follow the “bread crumbs” collecting a member at each turn until all are reunited.
13.	Bad weather policy: when the weather is “iffy” the FOO should go to the starting point.  The FOO will decide whether or not to ride.  Some of our rides end up in cars, but we still have time.  You may always drive your car if you are uncomfortable with weather conditions and others decide to ride anyway.
14.	When a member hesitates or stalls at a stop sign, light or turn, please give them the time and space they need.  Do not pull out around them.
NOTE:	Whether you are a new rider or an experienced rider you can go to www.pamsp.com to sign up for a beginner motorcycle safety course or experienced rider course. It is worth your time, safety 1st!