RIDING CODE

Introduction

Every individual is answerable for his/her own personal behaviour. This obligation can never be delegated elsewhere. It is therefore your own responsibility to ensure that you arrive safely at your destinations when taking part in a ride.

As a Club, the safety of our members is of utmost importance to us and we will endeavour to make your ride with us as pleasant and safe as possible.

In order to enhance the safety of our members and fellow road users, and also to uphold the good image of our club, it is necessary to maintain orderliness and discipline during group rides.

It is therefore necessary for all club members to know, understand and adhere to the following basic procedures and riding rules of the club.

1. Marshals

Marshals are appointed and are empowered by the club to perform certain actions aimed at enhancing the safety of the members and other road users and to enforce club-riding rules during rides. They will be clearly identifiable through their bright coloured safety jackets.

Marshals perform their duties on a voluntary basis and are at times endangering their own lives in order to enhance the safety of the group. Please acknowledge the important unselfish role that they are performing by accepting and adhering to the instructions that they might issue during a ride, as it is your safety that they have at heart.

1.1. Power Of Marshals

Road Marshals Vision

To provide a marshal service that will enhance and sustain the safety of the members and fellow road users during mass / club rides.

Road Marshals Mission

To minimise risk factor during group rides by ensuring safety and orderly movement of the riding group by:

* Enforcing the club riding Code
* Intervention in the un-safe riding behaviour of a member
* Limited, but safe intervention of existing road/traffic conditions in a order to safeguard the group
* Pre-planning of routes and venues
* Avoid risk and always putting their own safety and that of the riding group above all

1.2. Meaning of the Marshals Hand Signals

All Signs given by the lead rider must be passed on to riders behind you

1.2.1. Stop.
The Standard hand signal used when driving a motor vehicle or motorcycle is used here.

1.2.2. Reducing Speed.
The Standard hand signal used when driving a motor vehicle or motorcycle is used here.

1.2.3. Falling Into Single File.
The lead marshal will raise his left arm above his head with the palm of his hand facing sideways.

1.2.4. Falling Behind.
The Marshal will ride next to you and indicate with his arm outstretched and moving it in a forward and backward direction.

You are falling behind - Catch up with the group

1.2.5. Stay In Close Formation – Be Alert and Reduce Speed.
This means that they want you to keep the group close together to make it more controllable when moving through crossings etc.

The lead marshal shall indicate with his left arm raised above his head and the hand forming a fist that the group must remain in close formation.

Riders should take extra care during this manoeuvre as it means that they will be closely bunched.

1.3. General

Marshals will not cater for motor vehicles other than the motorcycles in the group.

When approaching an intersection, and no marshal is present at the crossing, the front rider will stop if so required by the traffic sign or signal.

A sweeper will always be the last rider in the group. At each intersection or turn off point, marshals will wait until the sweeper indicates that all riders are present before rejoining the group.

1.4. Authority

1.4.1. The road Captain will have overall authority over road marshals and riders while the ride is in progress.

1.4.2. All marshals are authorised by the club to reprimand any rider that through any action endangers his / her own life, puts the group at risk, fails to obey marshal’s instructions or fails to adhere to the clubs riding code.

1.4.3. The Road Capitan is authorised to report severe cases of riding misconduct to the committee for disciplinary action against the offenders/s

2. Club Riding Rules

2.1. Personal Safety

* Always remember: If you don’t feel safe or comfortable then don’t do it. If you don’t feel at ease riding in a specific position in the group indicate and pull over to the left so that the group can pass and then rejoin the group in the rear.
* Even if the marshal are present at a intersection, make sure that it is safe before entering or crossing the road.
* Always indicate (hand, foot or indicator) your intention to change direction or position timeouesly.
* Always check if it is safe before changing lanes or riding position in the group.
* When the rider in front of you perform an over taking manoeuvre, don’t follow them unless you are sure that it is safe to do so. Check the front and the rear for traffic before you make your move.
* Never rider directly next to another rider in the same lane as this will severely limit your options in case of emergency (It is also illegal)
* Always maintain a safe following distance. (See Riding Formation 3)
* Always be aware of your surroundings and the situation ahead of you. Don't look at the bike directly in front of you. Look at the road, he will automatically form part of your peripheral vision.
* Don’t try to test the limits of your riding skills whilst in the group. Do it when you are on your own.
* Never try to keep up with the group if you feel that the speed is to high for you, rather fall out and rejoin the group at the rear. Remember that the group will wait for you to catch up and the sweeper will ensure that you don’t get lost.

2.2. Basic Roadworthy Checks Before Each Ride

* Ensure that your bikes battery is charged and that the terminals are secure.
* Ensure that your Fuel and Oil levels are adequate for the ride ahead.
* Ensure that Headlights, Brake light and indicator lights are in good working order.
* Ensure that tires are correctly inflated and are in good condition (grooves should be at least 1mm deep over 100% of the width of the tire).
* Ensure that brakes are functional and are in good working condition.
* Ensure that all fittings and parts are secure.

3. Riding Formation

* The President or the Vice President of the club will be the lead rider of the group. In their absence, the Road Captain will indicate who should take up the position.
* The space directly behind the lead rider is always reserved for road marshals.
* The riding formation will always be staggered formation (except for when is indicated by the lead marshal. (See Illustration below)
* Safe following distance must be maintained at all times (2 seconds rule or +- one bikes length for every 10km/h travelled – distance should increased in foggy or wet conditions.

Riding Positions

* Ride in the same lane as the lead rider.
* New Riders should keep to the rear of the group until they feel more experienced and are familiar with the riding procedure.
* Try to maintain your riding position in the group throughout the ride.
* Try not to straggle or fall too far behind the riders in front of you, as this will affect all the riders behind you.
* Indicate all actions related to the changing of direction within the group clearly through hand, indicator or foot signals.
* Relay all signs or indications from the lead rider or marshals to the rider behind you.
* Ensure that you always have enough room to manoeuvre on either side and in front of you, should you need to take evasive action during the ride.

3.1. General

* The sweeper will always be the last rider of the group. If you fall behind the sweeper you will no longer considered to be apart of the group and the marshals will not wait for you.
* Know and obey all instructions / signals given by the marshals.
* Should mechanical or other problems occur, do the following
o Immediately indicate your intension and pull over to the left of the road.
o Show the thumbs down sign to indicate that you have a problem.
* When becoming aware of marshals in the process of passing the group, be alert and expect that he / she might need to cut back into the group in order to avoid oncoming traffic. Ensure that you make way should this be necessary.
* Indicate the presence of a possible danger, obstructions or potholes to the rider behind you by pointing in the direction of the danger.

4. Briefing and Debriefing

* Before each ride the Road Captain will brief members. During the briefing information on the destination, route, road conditions and marshalling duties will be communicated. Members must ensure that they understand the information given to them during the debriefing session.
* Members must inform the road captain of any concerning incidents that they experienced during a ride. This information can be used to rectify shortcoming and to improve our safety measures.

Enjoy and Safe Riding.

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