Road Rules
Dear Chapter Member and Guests |
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In order for us all to ride together we have to have the following rules. |
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Please take a moment to read the following carefully |
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Driving in a convoy requires concentration and discipline . Convoy driving can cause fatigue . You will feel safe but you can often be a little hypnotized by the tail light of the front bikers . |
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The Road Traffic Act is clear. "during a convoy of vehicles ,when they are crossing a road , they should not be interrupted . You have to give way. |
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The drivers are responsible for themselves, it often happens that cars want to squeeze into the convoy. This is a dangerous situation. The road blockers need to take extra attention and not let the traffic in |
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General principles |
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Drive staggered |
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Keep to the speed of the driver in front |
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Check the rearview mirror |
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Maintain position in convoy |
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Do not overtake |
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Slow vehicles drive at the beginning of the convoy |
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Anyone who wants to leave the convoy, checks out with the convoy leader. |
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Convoy set up |
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A) Convoy leader / Road Captain
Determines the route The stops The speed Drives in the middle of the road
B) Convoy participants
The first driver behind the Road Captain moves left! (Right in countries with left-hand traffic) Staggered with a distance of about 10m to the front and rear (eye contact means rear-view mirror) Stay in your position Do not overtake slower vehicles. Inexperienced drivers drive at the beginning of the convoy because their rate is slowest. For the road security special arrangements are to be made (see below).
C) The last vehicle
Is responsible for ensuring that no one is left behind and helps keep the convoy together Drives in the middle lane |
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Mind the gap! |
It can happen again and again that in front a gap arises because someone is swerving out from the convoy. It is really dangerous to swap sides during the ride out. You should close this gap by moving sideways again.It happens often that some participants have overtaken each other. The correct way to fill a gap exists in the lateral shift, ie from back to front to stay on the same track. |
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If a gap is formed in the convoy then it should be filled from back to front not side to side. That is, the respective rear vehicle travels forward into the gap. |
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Blockers (marked in green)moves out around an intersection to block. |
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A word about speed |
Automatically you drive behind in convoy faster than the front. Especially with 20 or so bikes. That comes in part from the so-called "accordion effect". You can mitigate this effect somewhat, if all bikers comply with the same distances and drive focused. For longer distances, however, and on routes with a lot of starting, stopping and turning it will inevitably lead to this phenomenon. The bike at the back has to drive quicker than those in the front. Special attention has to be taken care that the last bikes in the convoy are not breaking speed limits in urban areas. |
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Junctions |
When stopping at a crossing, red light lights and at other obstacles the distance between the bikers should decrease in order for the bikes to travel quickly and together. |
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The first driver behind the Road Captain moves left! (Right in countries with left-hand traffic) |
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Crossing a road |
Especially in big groups it is important to secure the intersections so that the whole group can flow through quickly and safely. Importantly, the group concentrates on travelling together. The convoy leader determines how many people are to secure the next intersection and indicates this with a show of hands. The foremost participants then block of the road. The exception is the weaker drivers who are in front. In this case, they should pull into the right and let the next 2 bikers overtake and act as road blockers and then re join the formation. |
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Correct behaviour when stopping |
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The convoy leader holds 2 or more fingers in the air and thus indicate the following drivers that they need to secure the crossing / the roundabout. |
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The convoy has to cross the intersection as quickly as possible. After the final vehicle has crossed the intersection, the riders who have secured the blockade join the back of the convoy. At the next crossing the front two riders will block off the road and then join the back and so on. |
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Turning into a road |
Especially in big groups it is important to secure the intersections so that the whole group can flow through quickly and safely. Importantly, the group concentrates on travelling together. The convoy leader determines how many people are to secure the next intersection and indicates this with a show of hands. The foremost participants then block of the road. The exception is the weaker drivers who are in front. In this case, they should pull into the right and let the next 2 bikers overtake and act as road blockers and then re join the formation. |
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Correct behaviour when stopping |
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Here, the convoy leader holds a finger in the air and thus indicate the following driver that he has to secure the road. |
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The convoy has to cross the intersection as quickly as possible. After the final vehicle has crossed the intersection, the riders who have secured the blockade join the back of the convoy. At the next crossing the front two riders will block off the road and then join the back and so on. |
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Hand signs |
Start your Engines |
Stop |
Go ahead and pass me |
Bikes Ready |
Hazards on the road |
Don't pass me |
Stop your Engines |
Turn of your turn signal |
Single Riding |
Left Turn |
Slow down |
Staggered riding |
Right turn |
Speed up |
Time for a pit stop |
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Finally, a couple of local rules…. |
To set off all drivers must arrive with full fuel tanks and equipment and with an empty bladder! |
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Each rider tanks his machine fully every time we stop to refuel! |
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Each driver is responsible for his actions !! |
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The road traffic law still remains the foundation! |
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Support your local |
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