Road Captain
Chesapeake Riders
Motorcycle Club
ROAD CAPTAIN - MORE THAN JUST THE LEAD RIDER!
Riding in a group together is one of the most enjoyable activities. Doing so with the greatest safety possible is our common objective.
Motorcycling is inherently dangerous. According to the US Dept. of Transportation, motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to be killed in a motorcycle crash and 8 times more likely to be injured than the driver or occupant of an enclosed vehicle. Motorcycle crashes accounted for 5,154 deaths in 2007. While the majority of motorcycle crashes and fatalities involved sport bikes of various types which are generally ridden by younger riders (average age, under 30), nonetheless, touring bikes (average rider age 51) accounted for about 22% of fatalities. In over one third of all
crashes involving a fatality, alcohol was a factor in varying degree. In almost 40% of all fatalities, speeding was a factor.
Without exception, it is the responsibility of every rider to ride his/her own ride, within his/her own level of skill, comfort and safety. However, Road Captains can and should have a major role in achieving the goal of safety for the group they lead.
COMMUNICATE what to expect. Road Captains are responsible for communicating to the group the plans and details of an upcoming ride, including routing, good use of hand signals – passing them back to the rear, for planned stops, for determining if there are inexperienced riders in the group, for establishing procedures for anyone having to make an unplanned stop, for making certain that all riders have signed a waiver, for having emergency telephone numbers for all riders and more and for establishing emergency plans. Remind the group of the LAW OF GROSS TONNAGE!
RIDING DYNAMICS: No surprises! It is important that the Road Captain stay mentally well ahead of the group, with good situational awareness, anticipating upcoming traffic or roadway situations and making group riding adjustments early on whenever possible. Use hand signals to alert the
group to upcoming situations. Sudden stops or turns by the Road Captain are often amplified, sometimes with disastrous consequences, in the group of riders following. It is no sin to miss a turn, and then make a U when it is safe to do so.
Mind the weakest rider: Keep the riding performance parameters (SPEED, especially in curves) of the group within the skill levels of the weakest rider (Know if there are inexperienced riders in the Group!). Group riding is not the time or place to push the envelope.
RIDING DISCIPLINE: Always maintain group riding safety discipline. Emphasize the need for good spacing, (2-3 seconds and 1 second on the stagger), avoiding big gaps in the group if possible. Remind riders to stay in their track when in stagger formation so as to maintain good spacing with other riders Keep the group in the safest formation for the road being traveled, single up when on narrow, winding roads. Keep the group in a defensive riding location on multi-lane highways (i.e., the right lane is not always safest; flank attacks from on ramps are highly possible). Change lanes as little as possible. Synchronize with your Tail Gunner as to how he/she will assist with safe lane changes, especially when there is two way radio communications available.
SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT: The Road Captain is much more than the guy or gal up front who's supposed to know where we're going (..and when we're going to eat!). There is responsibility involved which requires planning, communication, heads up leadership and full time attention to the riding situation at hand.
Additional Resources:
Motorcycle Riding Tips
Riding Your Motorcycle With A Passenger
Group Riding
Trike Riding
Can Am Riding
Alcohol Awarness
Riding in a group together is one of the most enjoyable activities. Doing so with the greatest safety possible is our common objective.
Motorcycling is inherently dangerous. According to the US Dept. of Transportation, motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to be killed in a motorcycle crash and 8 times more likely to be injured than the driver or occupant of an enclosed vehicle. Motorcycle crashes accounted for 5,154 deaths in 2007. While the majority of motorcycle crashes and fatalities involved sport bikes of various types which are generally ridden by younger riders (average age, under 30), nonetheless, touring bikes (average rider age 51) accounted for about 22% of fatalities. In over one third of all
crashes involving a fatality, alcohol was a factor in varying degree. In almost 40% of all fatalities, speeding was a factor.
Without exception, it is the responsibility of every rider to ride his/her own ride, within his/her own level of skill, comfort and safety. However, Road Captains can and should have a major role in achieving the goal of safety for the group they lead.
COMMUNICATE what to expect. Road Captains are responsible for communicating to the group the plans and details of an upcoming ride, including routing, good use of hand signals – passing them back to the rear, for planned stops, for determining if there are inexperienced riders in the group, for establishing procedures for anyone having to make an unplanned stop, for making certain that all riders have signed a waiver, for having emergency telephone numbers for all riders and more and for establishing emergency plans. Remind the group of the LAW OF GROSS TONNAGE!
RIDING DYNAMICS: No surprises! It is important that the Road Captain stay mentally well ahead of the group, with good situational awareness, anticipating upcoming traffic or roadway situations and making group riding adjustments early on whenever possible. Use hand signals to alert the
group to upcoming situations. Sudden stops or turns by the Road Captain are often amplified, sometimes with disastrous consequences, in the group of riders following. It is no sin to miss a turn, and then make a U when it is safe to do so.
Mind the weakest rider: Keep the riding performance parameters (SPEED, especially in curves) of the group within the skill levels of the weakest rider (Know if there are inexperienced riders in the Group!). Group riding is not the time or place to push the envelope.
RIDING DISCIPLINE: Always maintain group riding safety discipline. Emphasize the need for good spacing, (2-3 seconds and 1 second on the stagger), avoiding big gaps in the group if possible. Remind riders to stay in their track when in stagger formation so as to maintain good spacing with other riders Keep the group in the safest formation for the road being traveled, single up when on narrow, winding roads. Keep the group in a defensive riding location on multi-lane highways (i.e., the right lane is not always safest; flank attacks from on ramps are highly possible). Change lanes as little as possible. Synchronize with your Tail Gunner as to how he/she will assist with safe lane changes, especially when there is two way radio communications available.
SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT: The Road Captain is much more than the guy or gal up front who's supposed to know where we're going (..and when we're going to eat!). There is responsibility involved which requires planning, communication, heads up leadership and full time attention to the riding situation at hand.
Additional Resources:
Motorcycle Riding Tips
Riding Your Motorcycle With A Passenger
Group Riding
Trike Riding
Can Am Riding
Alcohol Awarness