SAFETY TIPS
SAFETY TIPS
By MIKE Phillips GROUP RIDE
I was on a
RECENTLY , group ride where a minor incident almost became a significant problem . There were 24 bikes on the ride . Four road captains escorted the ride , with one in the lead , one in the middle , and two road captains at the end . One of the riders pulled off the main road and stopped on the paved apron of a gravel road . The following five bikes stopped in the road to see if he needed help . I know everyone wants to help , but this is where the problem started . The bikes stopped on a busy twolane road . The speed limit was 55 mph . This was on a steep sweeping curve to the right . Any traffic coming from behind the group had to pass the stopped bikes in what now became a blind curve . The road surface dipped sharply to the right , where the bikes stopped .
One rider β s right foot did not touch the ground , and his bike fell to the right side . The two trailing road captains arrived and helped get the bike upright . As the rest of the bikes started to move around that bike , another bike tipped over and fell on the first bike . We now had to pick up a second bike . A third bike that rode past the tangle stopped on the shoulder a short way up the road . This bike could not get back on the road without help . Another bike that had stopped would not start . The battery was dead , and he was stuck in the middle of the road . Fortunately , a lady driving a truck following the group had a set of jumper cables , and we got the bike going . All this activity took about 15 minutes to clean up , where several bikes were stopped in the traffic lane .
It is hard to know why someone stops on a group ride , mainly for a very minor reason . The road captains assist any rider and let them do their job . If there is no observable major problem like a serious crash , keep going . If you do stop , find a safe place off the road beyond the site of the incident .
Stopping in the roadway only causes congestion for other vehicles to drive around . Stopping beyond the scene will allow room for any emergency vehicles that might be needed to stop close to the scene . These vehicles will be equipped with emergency lights that are designed to alert traffic and protect the scene . The road captain will call for more help if it is needed . If you are not required , move along and keep the roadway clear . This incident worked out ok , with no one getting hurt ; it could have been worse .
Final thought : When you show up for a group ride , have the gas tank full and the bladder empty . Road captains are there to help any rider at any time . Let the road captain decide how much help is needed . I know we all want to help in any situation , but sometimes , the most help you can give is to get out of the way . CMA
Mike Phillips is a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation ( MSF ) instructor in Arkansas .
25βͺDECEMBER 2024βͺwww . cmausa . org