Stone Mountain H.O.G.
Group Riding Safety Information
Welcome to SMHOG! We hope you will ride with us as often as possible as we travel the highways
and byways of in GA and our neighboring states.
We love to ride, and have fun, but our number one concern is the safety of all riders! With this in mind
we ask that all SMHOG members read the safety information below to become familiar with the rules
and terminology SMHOG uses to help ensure your safety and the safety every rider in the group.
The Lead Road Captain, (LRC) for each ride, will go over much of following information during the
safety speech before every official SMHOG chapter ride. But it will help you understand what he/she
is explaining if you read the information before hand.
We hope to see you soon and often,
Stone Mountain HOG Road Captains
Before the Ride:
First, please make sure you have a full tank of gas when you get to the dealership. It is also a very
good idea to have an empty bladder before the ride leaves. The first stop is usually one to one and half
hours in to the ride.
Road Captains: Each official chapter ride will have a minimum of four Road Captains, (RC). The
road captains are there to make sure we have a safe and enjoyable ride. Each RC will ride in a different
position within the group and has certain responsibilities during the ride.
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The LRC will be in the front of the group, he/she will ride in the front position in the left line
of the group.
The shotgun rides in the front position of the right line of the group. The rest of the bikes will
line up behind the LRC and shotgun respectively.
The primary sweep and the secondary sweep are positioned at the rear of the group. Their
main job is to make sure no one falls behind, gets separated from the group, and to help in case
of an emergency.
Depending on the number of bikes we have for a particular ride, the LRC may break the bikes into
small groups of 10-15 bikes and assign a lead, shotgun, and sweeps for each group.
Before the ride begins the LRC will cover the following information and safety instructions:
Please pay attention every time the safety speech is given, as ride specific information will be given.
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Ride destination.
Distance and description of the ride.
Any known danger areas or unusual circumstances on the route (gravel, sand, construction,
mountain roads, etc).
When we will stop for gas, lunch, or pictures, etc.
Where the termination of the official ride will be; back at the dealership or some other location.
The LRC will make sure everyone knows how to head towards home. Don’t worry you won’t
be left behind.
It is the responsibility of each rider to adhere to the following group riding guidelines in order to
ensure a safe ride for all participants. Anyone observed riding in an unsafe manner will be
addressed individually and may be asked to leave the ride if the unsafe riding continues.
Staggered Riding Formation – has been proven to be the safest way for group riding. SMHOG rides
are always ridden in a staggered formation; we NEVER ride side by side!
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The lane we ride in is divided into thirds, making 3 lines, left, center, & right.
The LRC, who is the ride leader, will be in the front of the line on the left side of the lane.
The middle line will be empty, leaving room for maneuvering our bikes and leaving room for
error.
The shotgun will ride at the front of the line on the right side of the lane. The shotgun will ride
(1) second behind lead rider.
The riders directly behind with LRC and Shotgun will ride a minimum of (2) seconds behind
them.
We will follow this pattern all the way to the back of the group, riding (2) seconds behind the
bike in front of you, and (1) second behind the bike to your right or left.
The sweeps will be at the back of the group.
Staggered Formation
Lead
Road Captain
Shotgun
Sweeps
Remember:
 The “Two Second Rule” – please maintain the correct distance, not too close, but not too far
back.
 If a rider drops out, you can move forward when it is safe, staying in your third of the lane. If
you are not comfortable doing this wait until group stops to move up. DO NOT change lanes to
fill a spot; stay in your third of the lane.
Hand Signals (see the link on the SMHOG link page for some examples)
Pass all hand signals to the back of the group.
 Left turn: left arm pointed to the left.
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Right turn: left arm bent at 90 degrees pointing up.
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Slow down: left arm waving in downward motion with palm facing road.
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Stop: Left arm extended downwards with palm facing back toward riders
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Single file: left arm held high with index finger pointing up. We do this for narrow roads or
lanes, obstacles in lane, curvy roads, or as determined by lead RC.
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Back to staggered formation: left arm held high with index and little finger pointing up.
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“U” Turn: Left arm held high making a circle in the air.
Pointing out danger or obstacles in the road, pot holes, trash, gravels, road kill.
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Left side, use left hand or leg to point out danger.
Right side, use right leg to point out danger. Do not take your hand off the throttle.
Lane Changes, please follow these guidelines.
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The lead RC will signal for all lane changes with hand and electronic signals.
You should pass the signals all the way back to the to sweeps
The primary sweep will move over to secure the lane before the group changes lanes.
The lead RC will make the lane change only after they see the sweep has secured the lane.
he group then follows the leaders one by one. (like a snake)
Do not change lanes until the bikes in front of you have done so.
Make a head check before proceeding - maintain a safe distance.
When changing lanes or merging as individual bikes –(unusual situations only)
One raised finger (as the single file hand signal) then signal for a turn, and proceed when safe
to do so.
LRC (L) and Shotgun (R)
Primary Sweep (R) and
Secondary Sweep (L)
*Please note: Only the sweep should pull over to secure a lane, do not pull over before the group
leaders and the bikes in front of you pull over.
Bike Troubles, Accidents, Bike Dropping Out or Separated from Group
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If there is a problem or accident during the ride, only the primary sweep will stop with the
bike(s) involved.
The rest of the group should keep moving; it is not safe for everyone to stop, keep moving.
The lead road captain will find a safe place for the group to stop, if necessary.
If a rider drops out, move forward when safe, staying in your third of the lane.
If you know you will be dropping out of a ride, let the sweeps know ahead of time and move to
the back of the group. When you are ready to drop out; “tap” your helmet with your left hand.
This way the sweeps know you are OK and do not need assistance.
If the group gets separated at a light or stop sign, etc; do not worry. The leader will slow the
group down, or pullover and stop, so all bikes can catch up. If separated at a light, the
secondary sweep will move to the front and lead the separated bikes back to the group.
Riding Standards and SMHOG Rules
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All SMHOG rides are posted speed limit rides (maximum)
Each individual is ultimately responsible for his or her own safety.
Make head checks regularly – What you saw in you mirror 2 seconds ago is no substitute for
your own eyes and good judgment.
Yield to other vehicles. Cars and trucks will win a battle!
Constantly anticipate an emergency, look down the road 14 seconds.
Don’t fixate on the bikes right in front of you. Remember S.E.E.
Obey all traffic laws – speed limits, red lights, stop signs, etc.
Be especially cautious at 4 way stops. Many times cars will wave the group though; make sure
you make eye contact with the driver before proceeding.
New riders or riders new to group riding should ride in rear of the group in front of the sweeps.
Trikes will be given the full center lane in the rear of the formation behind new riders just in
front of the sweeps.
If you are not sure what to do, ask any RC before the ride or at a rest stop, they will be happy to
explain how to handle different situations, they are there to help.
Take some time to visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundations website for more motorcycle safety tips
and videos. http://www.msf-usa.org/