Safety &
Training
The best ride is the one where everyone gets home safely. These guidelines are sourced from the official SCRC National Riding Guide and are the standard for all Chapter 221 group rides.
Rider Positions & Responsibilities
Every Chapter 221 group ride has defined positions. Knowing your role keeps the group safe and the ride smooth.
Lead Position
Road Captain
The Road Captain (RC) leads all group rides and is responsible for the safety of every rider in the group from the front. The RC sets the pace, signals all turns and hazards, and determines route changes.
- Pre-rides the route when possible
- Gives pre-ride safety briefing
- Sets the pace and signals all hazards
- Never abandons a fallen or stranded rider
- Communicates with Tail Gunner throughout
Rear Position
Tail Gunner
The Tail Gunner (TG) rides at the back of the formation and is the second-most important role in any group ride. The TG sweeps for stragglers, assists broken-down riders, and keeps the Road Captain informed.
- Never passes other riders — holds the rear
- Assists any rider who falls out of formation
- Radios / signals the Road Captain about issues
- Holds intersections when needed
- Last to leave the group, first to help
Middle Positions
Group Riders
Riders in the middle of the formation carry equal responsibility for the safety of the group. Each rider is responsible for themselves and for passing signals back through the formation.
- Maintain staggered formation unless signaled otherwise
- Pass all hand signals back through the group
- Ride at your own comfort level — never over-ride
- Keep consistent gaps — no large holes in formation
- Alert Road Captain if you need to drop back
Intersection Control
Corner Markers
On longer rides, the Road Captain may designate corner markers — riders who pull off at intersections to hold the turn for the rest of the group, then rejoin at the rear once all riders have passed.
- Only hold legally — never block traffic
- Position bike visibly but safely
- Rejoin at the rear after the last rider passes
- Never leave a corner until the Tail Gunner passes
Group Riding Formation
Proper formation keeps the group together, discourages vehicles from cutting in, and gives every rider adequate space to react.
Staggered Formation
The standard SCRC formation for open roads. The lead rider takes the left tire track. The following rider takes the right tire track, offset one second behind. The next rider takes the left tire track, one second behind the rider ahead.
This provides each rider a minimum two-second gap to the bike directly in front, while keeping the group compact enough to discourage lane splits.
The gap should increase with speed and decrease in slow traffic. Adapt to conditions — this is a guideline, not a rigid rule.
Single File Formation
Called when the Road Captain signals one finger raised above the helmet. Used in:
- Curves and twisty roads
- Narrow lanes or construction zones
- On-ramps and off-ramps
- Poor visibility conditions
In single file, maintain a minimum two-second gap to the rider directly ahead. More on winding or slippery roads.
Tight / Parade Formation
Used only for slow ceremonial riding (funerals, parades). Riders are side-by-side with significantly reduced spacing. Only used at very low speeds — never on highways or at normal riding speeds.
The Road Captain will specifically call this formation. Do not assume parade formation unless explicitly directed.
Large Group Protocol
Groups larger than 15–20 riders should be broken into sub-groups of 7–10, each with their own Road Captain and Tail Gunner.
Sub-groups ride independently with adequate spacing between them. This prevents the group from blocking intersections and keeps the ride manageable for all riders.
Corner markers become critical with large groups — designate them before the ride departs.
Staggered Formation — Top Down View
RC = Road Captain • TG = Tail Gunner • Numbers = riding order
Standard Hand Signals
SCRC uses a standard set of hand signals on all group rides. Every rider must know these and pass them back through the formation immediately.
Extend arm, index finger circling. Signals all riders to start engines.
Left arm horizontal, fully extended, palm facing down.
Left arm horizontal, elbow bent 90° pointing upward.
Left arm extended 45° downward, pointing toward the hazard.
Right arm extended 45° downward, pointing toward the hazard.
Left arm up and down, index finger pointing upward.
Left arm extended 45° downward, hand moving up and down.
Left arm extended 45° downward, palm open facing rearward.
Left hand over helmet, one finger extended upward.
Left hand over helmet, two fingers extended upward.
Left arm raised, fist closed. Very slow speeds only.
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Group Riding Guidelines
The following guidelines are adapted from the SCRC National Riding Guide, compiled by Greg “Dragon” Love. These apply to all Chapter 221 rides.
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01
Personal Responsibility
Each rider is solely responsible for their own actions and safety on every ride. Riding with a group does not reduce individual responsibility. If you are not 100% confident in your ability for the current conditions, remove yourself from the situation.
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02
No Riding Impaired
Riding under the influence of alcohol or any impairing substance is against Chapter 221 policy. Zero exceptions.
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03
Staging & Departure
Arrive at the meetup location at least 10–15 minutes before departure. Use this time for your pre-ride inspection and to discuss the route with the Road Captain. Latecomers must catch the group at the first rest stop — do not chase.
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04
Following Distance
The standard staggered formation requires a minimum one-second gap to the bike in the same track, and a two-second gap to the bike directly ahead. Increase these gaps in wet conditions, at highway speeds, or on unfamiliar roads. Never tailgate.
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05
Traffic Lanes
The group occupies one lane as a unit. Do not allow vehicles to merge into the formation. Avoid lane splitting within the group. When changing lanes, the Road Captain signals, the group moves as a unit — do not move until the signal is passed back to you.
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06
Routine Stops
At fuel stops and rest areas, pull completely off the road and into the parking area before stopping. Fuel bikes immediately to keep the group on schedule. If your bike does not need fuel, move it away from the pump to allow others to fill.
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07
Emergency Stops
If a breakdown or emergency requires stopping, the Road Captain pulls off and the group follows — everyone stops. The group does not continue until the situation is assessed. No rider is left on the side of the road alone. The Tail Gunner stays with any disabled bike.
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08
Curves & Corners
Switch to single file on twisty or mountainous roads, spaced 3–4 seconds apart. This gives every rider the full lane width and time to react. The Road Captain should anticipate curves and signal slow-down before entering — not in the middle of the curve.
Safety Equipment
Chapter 221 encourages all riders to arrive at every group ride properly equipped. Your gear is your first line of defense.
Required on all Chapter 221 group rides. Look for the DOT or ECE 22.06 certification label.
Face shield, goggles, or safety glasses. If your helmet has no face shield, wear eye protection at all times while riding.
Full-finger gloves protect your hands in a fall and improve grip. Leather or reinforced textile recommended.
Leather or armored textile jacket with CE-rated armor at shoulders and elbows. High-visibility colors or a safety vest over a dark jacket is strongly encouraged.
Long pants — denim minimum. Leather riding chaps over jeans are an excellent option and strongly encouraged. Riding-specific pants with CE knee/hip armor are ideal. Never shorts on a group ride — no exceptions.
Sturdy boots that cover and support the ankle. Motorcycle boots with oil-resistant soles are ideal. No sandals, flip-flops, or sneakers.
Perform a T-CLOC inspection before every ride: Tires & wheels, Controls, Lights, Oil & fluids, Chassis & stands. A mechanical failure puts everyone at risk.
Carry ICE (In Case of Emergency) information in your wallet and on your phone. Share your ride plan with someone not on the ride.
Emergency Procedures
Knowing what to do before an emergency happens is what keeps a bad situation from becoming worse.
Accident on the Road
Stop immediately and safely. The Road Captain secures the scene, the Tail Gunner stays with the injured rider. Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger.
Call 911 first, then notify the group. Designate one person to flag traffic and one to stay with the injured rider until EMS arrives. Everyone else should move to a safe distance off the roadway.
Mechanical Breakdown
Signal the Road Captain and pull off safely to the shoulder or the first available parking area. The Tail Gunner stays with you — the rest of the group stops at the next safe location.
Assess whether the issue can be fixed on the road. All riders are encouraged to carry a basic tool kit, tire plug kit, and roadside assistance information (AAA, GEICO, etc.).
Separated from the Group
If you miss a turn or become separated, do not speed to catch up. Pull over safely and call or text the Road Captain or Tail Gunner. The group will wait at the next rest stop.
Always have the Road Captain’s and Tail Gunner’s phone numbers saved before the ride departs. This is discussed at the pre-ride briefing.
Weather & Road Conditions
The Road Captain can call a weather stop at any time. No ride is worth risking lives in severe weather. Riders always have the right to leave a ride if conditions exceed their comfort level — no questions, no pressure.
Check weather forecasts the night before and the morning of every ride. Last-minute changes are communicated via the Facebook group and member chat.
Group Parking
Parking an orderly group quickly gets everyone off the road and out of traffic safely.
Pull-Ahead & Back-In Method
When pulling into a parking lot, each rider pulls forward past their intended spot, then backs into it. This eliminates waiting for the rider ahead to finish and dramatically speeds up parking for large groups.
Do not pull straight in nose-first — backing out later into traffic or a crowded lot is dangerous and slows everyone down.
If You Can’t Get In
If you reach the end of the group and the lot is still sorting out, go around. Circle the block or the lot and return in one to two minutes once things have settled. Do not wait in traffic or block the road.
This keeps traffic moving and prevents the group from bunching up at the entrance in a dangerous way.
Formation Angle
Park at a consistent angle where possible — typically nose-in to the curb or line, bikes side by side. Consistent angle parking makes the group look sharp and maximizes the number of bikes that fit.
If space is tight, the Road Captain should designate the spot before pulling in, not during.
Kickstand & Safety
Always check the ground surface before putting your kickstand down — hot asphalt, gravel, and painted surfaces can allow a kickstand to sink or slide. Use a kickstand pad if needed.
Leave adequate space between bikes so riders can exit without tipping neighboring motorcycles.
MSF Training & Resources
Chapter 221 encourages every member to pursue formal riding training. It makes you a better rider and can save you money on insurance.
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)
The MSF offers the gold standard in motorcycle training. Their courses range from beginner to advanced, and many insurance companies offer discounts of up to 10–20% for course completion.
Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program: The Basic RiderCourse is available at 22 locations statewide for around $100. Completing it also grants a 90-day license waiver — no DMV road test required for new riders.
Find a course near you: msf-usa.org/find-a-course
Basic RiderCourse (BRC)
Recommended for new riders and anyone who wants a refresher. Covers clutch control, braking, swerving, and basic group riding concepts. Completion may waive the DMV road test in Georgia.
Advanced RiderCourse (ARC)
For experienced riders who want to sharpen cornering, braking, and emergency maneuver skills. This is a riding-only course — no classroom. Bring your own bike.
Insurance Discounts
GEICO, Progressive, and State Farm all recognize MSF course completion. Ask your insurer about the discount — it typically ranges from 5–20% depending on your policy and carrier.