The only thing more enjoyable than going for a ride by yourself is to ride with a group. But whenever you enjoy a group ride, it’s vital to follow safety guidelines in Georgia. The Peachtree State has many laws on the books that lay out what motorcyclists can and cannot do. Failure to follow these rules is a criminal violation. Even worse, you risk getting into an accident and suffering terrifying injuries. Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers is a law firm dedicated to helping injured motorcyclists. Below, our Augusta motorcycle accident lawyer discusses proper group riding etiquette and safety guidelines. We invite you to contact our firm to talk about any collision.
Safety Guidelines and Group Riding Etiquette in Georgia for Motorcycles
No More than Two Bikes Abreast in a Single Lane (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-312)
Georgia law gives a motorcyclist the full use of their lane. That means impatient motorists in trucks and SUVs cannot pull in beside you in the lane, even if there is room for them to squeeze past.
Although you have full use of your lane, the law limits motorcyclists to two abreast if there is space to comfortably ride in this fashion. That’s for the safety of everyone involved.
Ride in a Staggered Fashion for Safety
Some seasoned riders recommend riding in a staggered fashion. For example, the first bike would ride in the left-hand third of the lane. This allows them to see any road debris or other obstructions up ahead and take defensive action accordingly. If you are two abreast, then there’s nowhere for a bike to go.
The second rider should ride in the right-hand third of the lane, with the third in the left-hand third, and so on.
Don’t Follow Too Closely
You’ll defeat the purpose of riding in a staggered fashion if the motorcycles are too close together. Leave at least a full second between motorcycles. This cushion gives a motorcycle time to swerve in the lane to avoid causing a wreck.
Remember to adjust your spacing when going around corners. You should leave at least two seconds between motorcycles.
Pass One Motorcycle at a Time & Carefully
Passing a slower vehicle presents unique problems for motorcycles. You must be especially careful not to pass illegally, because any collision with an oncoming vehicle is deadly.
Remember to pass one at a time. Also, the first motorcycle to pass must go further down the road before pulling back into their lane. This gives your fellow riders space to pass a slower vehicle and then fall back in behind you.
What happens if you are part of a large group? Then you all can’t pass at once, so you might need to pass in groups. You might even consider breaking up into smaller groups before heading out, especially if you expect heavy traffic.
Use Hand Signals to Communicate
Riders might find it more convenient to communicate with each other using hand signals. This is a great way to tell your fellow group members if you are passing or turning onto a side road, or if they need to slow down. You should learn hand signals ahead of time.
No Lane Splitting
Georgia does not allow motorcyclists to lane split, even if you think it is safer to do so. Many motorcyclists lane split on multi-lane highways when traffic slows. Unfortunately, this is against the law and is a good way to get into a crash.
No Clinging to Another Bike (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-313)
Georgia law prohibits attaching your bike to any vehicle in front of it while on the road.
Turn Your Lights on Regardless of the Time of Day
This rule is for your safety. Headlights and taillights should remain illuminated at all hours of the day. That helps motorists notice you.
Divide Groups According to Speed
One challenge with group rides is that not all members have the same experience or want to go at the same speed. In this situation, you can ride in smaller groups. Try to bunch people together who have similar experience with riding a motorcycle.
Discuss speed with all members in a group before heading out. You can then divide yourselves, if necessary, so everyone is comfortable with the speed they are going.
Injured in a Wreck? Call Our Legal Team Today
Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers is pleased to offer a free consultation to anyone injured in a wreck. We handle only motorcycle accidents and understand the details of the law quite well. Call to schedule your appointment with a member of our legal team.