Ride Rules

The purpose of riding in an organized group instead of an undisciplined pack is to provide additional safety.

When a group rides in an orderly fashion, people don't get in each others way and the organization of the formation itself discourages cars from attempting to cut in.

Once riding rules have been adopted by a group, EVERYONE riding with that group is expected to follow them.

Anyone violating the rules and compromising everyone's safety, will be warned, and if their actions continue , will no longer be welcome to ride with the group.

The following rules are compiled from a number of sources. Most groups that ride in orderly formations follow similar rules. Details may vary from one group to another, sometimes because of the style of riding they do.

RIDE RULES & REGULATIONS

  1. All bikes will be maintained in a safe condition. Motorcycles with malfunctioning lights, brakes, or worn tires (less that 2/32 thread) will not be permitted to participate in a Chapter ride.
  2. All motorcycles will be fueled (topped off) prior to arriving at our meeting area.
  3. No drinking or drugged driving is allowed.
  4. All traffic laws will be strictly obeyed.
  5. When riding in a pack formation, and as long as you and your partner feel comfortable doing so, motorcycles will be ridden side by side at speeds under 35 miles per hour. When riding in excess of 40 miles per hour, or while riding on any freeway, motorcycles will be ridden in a staggered formation.
  6. One rider will be designated as the Road Captain. The Road Captain is responsible for planning, mapping and coordinating the ride.
  7. One to two riders will be designated as the Tail Gunner. The Tail Gunner is responsible for keeping all riders in formation. Should a rider need to leave the pack, only the Tail Gunner will stop to assist them.
  8. Riders who elect to drop out of a ride (i.e. they do not desire to go further due to time constraints, prior commitments, etc.) will notify the Tail Gunner before doing so.
  9. One rider will be designated as Sergeant of Arms. The Sergeant of arms is responsible for keeping the peace, enforcing chapter and charter rules and the collection of monies for all tolls, etc.

Ride Signals

All riders will familiarize themselves with the following hand signals.

These signals will be strictly adhered to at all times.

  1. If a rider NEEDS FUEL, they will waive their left hand from side to side while pointing at their fuel tank. All forward riders will relay the signals until the Road Captain acknowledges it.
  2. If the Road Captain wants the pack to ride in a SINGLE FILE FORMATION, he will raise his left hand above his head with his index finger extended. All riders following the Road Captain will relay this signal back to the Tail Gunner.
  3. If the Road Captain wants the pack to ride in a DOUBLE FILE FORMATION, he will raise his left hand above his head with two fingers extended, and waive the hand from his left to his right. All riders following the Road Captain will relay this signal back to the Tail Gunner.
  4. To signal a right turn or lane changes to the right, the Road Captain will hold his left arm out, bent at the elbow, with the hand along the riders head.
  5. To signal a left turn or lane changes to the left, the Road Captain will hold out his left arm straight out from his body, parallel to his back.
  6. To signal that the pack must SLOW DOWN, the left hand will be held downward with the open palm facing back.
  7.  To signal that the pack must STOP QUICKLY, the left hand will be moved in a pumping motion along the left side of the bike, using a closed fist.
  8. If the pack becomes separated (i.e. some of the bikes didn’t make it through a signal light) the last rider in the first group will flash the motorcycles high beam lights off and on. This signal will be relayed forward, until the Road Captain acknowledges it
  9. FREEWAY LANE CHANGES will be made in the following order. The Road Captain will signal the lane change using hand signals only. The hand signal will be relayed down the pack to the Tail Gunners. The Tail Gunner/s will move over into the lane and hold that lane open for the pack. Once the lane has been secured, the two riders preceding the Tail Gunners will move over only if it is safe to do so. Turn signals will be used at this point. This procedure will be repeated, two bikes at a time, until the entire pack has moved over.
  10. BREAKING INTERSECTIONS must be done with the total cooperation of other motorists on the road. We are requesting permission to BREAK the intersection, not demanding it. The two lead bikes will begin by securing the intersection. Once the intersection has been secured, the two lead riders will signal the pack through. AS the pack drives through the intersection, they will automatically fall into single file formation to the right side of the roadway, and travel no faster than 30miles per hour. The two lead bikes will follow the pack through the intersection and cautiously pass the pack on the left. As bikes are passed, they may fall back into the double file formation. (Check with your state authority to determine the legality of this maneuver)

Our rules and regulations are enforced for YOUR safety

  1. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is forbidden.
  2. All driving laws will be strictly adhered to.
  3.  ALL CHAPTER MEMBERS must hold a current membership in the STAR Touring & Riding Association. Expired memberships, Unbecoming conduct, or a violation of any Charter agreement is cause for removal from the chapter.

Star Touring & Riding is a FAMILY organization. Your significant other and children may also join at no additional cost to you.