The intent of this handbook is to help familiarize Windward HOG Chapter membership with some important rules of the road and the
methods adopted by our Road Captains (RC) & Ride Leaders (RL) to safely conduct group rides.


When riding in a group or “pack”, it is essential to understand the techniques used to change lanes and keep the group together

As you read this material, you will find it contains easy-to-follow, common sense instructions that must be followed to ensure the safety
of the group.

After you have read this handbook and understand it, there is but one thing left to do: Come on out and put to use this information – ride
in a group of Harleys.

Your Ride Leaders (RL) and Road Captains (RC) are out there to help. Your questions and comments are always welcomed.

  Ride Safe and Have Fun!

Group riding is basically a combination of two (2) different games: “Follow the Leader” and “Simon Says”.

  “FOLLOW THE LEADER”

   A group ride should appear to be one large body of motorcycles, held together by an invisible “spine” that holds each motorcycle even
with the bike next to it and spaced a safe distance behind the ones in front of it. Bikes should be spaced close enough to discourage
vehicles from entering the group, yet allow enough room to stop in an emergency. Under normal conditions, we ride two abreast (side-
by-side) due to short ride distances and traffic. Your Ride Leaders will make the call as to when the group will ride staggered, abreast
or single file. Its suggested riders new to the group or uncomfortable with riding abreast, ride towards the rear of the group and learn
how the group rides. As the group “flows” through traffic and corners, the “spine” will flex to the left or right, but continue to hold the
bikes together and following in the tracks of the bike before it.

  “SIMON SAYS”

Communication throughout the group is limited to the use of hand signals (see page 6). Everyone must know and use them. Be sure all
hand signals are passed to the rider behind you with your left hand.

Exception: Road hazards (excluding pedestrians) to the right of the column you are in should be pointed to with your right hand or foot.

Remember that we do not own the road.  If a situation occurs when you must let a car enter the group, be sure to communicate your
intention to the riders next to and behind you.  Do not use your middle finger gesture towards a less than courteous motorist. 

When a lane change is signaled, do not move until the front Road Captain does. A Road Captain will be sent out to take possession of
the lane when the lane is clear and safe to do so. Once the Road Captain has possession of the lane the group will accelerate slightly
to pass the (RC) and move over  into the lane as you pass them. Signal your intention prior to your movements. Freeway runs will
usually be done in the second lane from the left.

On freeways, the group can change lanes as a unit when there is no traffic directly behind or to the sides of group and if a Road Captain
is not sent out to take possession of the lane.  Sweep riders will pull out and block the lane before group lane change occurs.

To avoid confusion, all riders will pull into destination. If you do not wish to stay, leave only after all the bikes are parked.

When “Simon Says” pass a hand signal back... DO IT!

  A TYPICAL GROUP RIDE

•   Arrive with a full tank of gas. If you plan to leave the group between destinations, tell the Road Captain now!

•   Safety officer explains “rules of the road” to persons riding with us for the first time. If Safety Officer is not present for the ride, then a RC explains rules  
    of to road to guest rider.

• 
    RL and/or RC do safety brief, announce destination and Road Captains.

•   Riders line up side-by-side behind lead Road Captains.

•   Group exits parking lot in formation. 

•   Hand signals must be passed back.

•   Hand must be held high overhead.

•   Pass back signals of a pedestrian or road hazard. 

  CHAPTER GROUP RIDES

  These rules have been compiled from multiple sources, tried, tested and found to be a safe method for group riding here
on Oahu.

1.       Riders who choose to follow in a group must do just that, follow. If a mistake is made, safely follow in a group until it can be safely corrected. Example: missed turn or missed exit.

2.       Each signal is passed back by every rider so you can be sure everyone is informed.

3.       Each rider has a responsibility to be aware of all vehicles around him or her. Maintain a minimum 2 - 3 second following distance
to the bike in front of you depending on speed. Increase as weather or road conditions dictate.

4.       Ride by these rules. “Safety is our number one priority.”

5.       Riding in an unsafe manner within the group will not be tolerated, i.e., drunk driving, drugs, hot-dogging. The safety of the group is everyone’s responsibility. It's okay to communicate non-compliance to a Ride Leader or Road Captain.

6.       Novice riders should check with the RC for instructions on where to ride in the group. They may be placed near the front or rear of the pack depending on roads, weather, and the group composition.

7.       Bikes will line up and maintain side-by-side formation unless otherwise signaled by RL, RC or road conditions require single file. Side by side riding is legal in Hawaii. A majority of groups in Hawaii ride two abreast (side-by-side) due to short ride distances and traffic.  Your Ride Leaders will make the call as to when the group will ride staggered, abreast or single file.

8.       When single file formation is signaled or necessary, the bike on the left will go in front of the bike on the right. Bike on the right allow room for the bike on the left to move over.

9.       When a rider drops out of formation, re-adjust your position to fill the gap created. Do not pass another rider in the same lane 

10.     We don’t own the road.  If you decide to let a car pass through the group, communicate your intentions to the rider next to you and behind you. Do not use your middle finger gesture towards another motorist if they are less than courteous.

11.     All bikes will be out of the mainstream of traffic while parking at a destination. Maintain formation while parking and upon departure.

12.     On breakdowns, only one sweep rider will assist the troubled bike. The rest of the group will continue on. The RL or RC will call the sweep when it's safe to pull the group over or the group has reached the destination.

13.     When turning left into a destination, although we use a Road Captain to guard the oncoming traffic lane, each rider is responsible for crossing the oncoming traffic lane safely.

14.     Everyone pulls into the destination at the end of a run, maintaining formation. If you do not wish to stay, please leave only after
all bikes are parked.

15.     Maintain a steady pace with as few drastic speed changes or sudden moves as possible when riding in the group.

16.     Ride as if your Harley is as long as the entire group. "Follow the leader."  This allows for group awareness.

17.     When a lane change is signaled, do not move until the front Road Captain goes out to take possession of the lane. The group
will accelerate slightly to pass the Road Captain.

18.     Sweep Riders may pull out and block the lane before a group lane change occurs. When a lane change is signaled, do not move until the rider in front of you does. Follow the leader.

19.     All sidecars or trikes ride at the rear of the group in front of the rear Road Captain(s).

20.     If you leave your place in the group, re-enter at the rear, in front of rear Road Captains.

  Windward Oahu Chapter #0835 Harley Owners Group will not be held responsible for accidents, injuries or
thefts. Each individual will be responsible for any violation of the law. Ride at your own risk.

BREAKDOWNS

The rear RC(s) are the only persons to stop with a breakdown. The group will either pull over at a safe location or continue to their
destination as determined by the Ride Leader. The RL or RC will call the rear Road Captain when stopped.

  ACCIDENTS

In the event of an accident, follow the Ride Leader to a safe parking area. Don’t “panic stop” and rush to the scene, as this will
only cause more problems. Make sure your bike is in a safe location out of traffic before dismounting. Listen to the Ride Leader and/or
Road Captain for instructions on securing the accident scene; they will instruct you to direct traffic, call 911, or perform other tasks to
ensure group safety. Do not move an injured person or remove their helmet.

  BIKE SECURITY

Everyone who participates in the run may be asked to watch the bikes for a 15- minute “shift”, in pairs, if conditions require. 

  BEING PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE

If the police stop the group, the Ride Leader will lead the group to a safe stop. Stay in formation and on your bike. Let the officer come
to you. The Ride Leader is the only person who should approach the officer and identify him/herself.

•  
   The above hand signals are the ones most commonly used.

•  All hand signals must be passed back through the “pack”!

•  Hand signals must be used along with turn signals.

•  Hand must be held high over your head.

•  When a rider in front of you signals a road hazard, point whether or not you see it.

 RIDE SAFE AND HAVE FUN

 Remember

Varying speeds and following distance should be a group action, not an individual action. There are some things we must sacrifice as
individuals to participate as a group. The first of which is independence of individual riding. All movements must be done as a group.
Ensure safe riding by constantly forming smooth group riding technique.