Ride Captain's Guidelines

Introduction

These guidelines are in no way intended to infringe upon anyone’s freedom; they are published to help ensure that we all return home safely. We have developed these Guidelines to give riders a clear understanding of; our standard riding formations, how our group rides are conducted, and the standard practices riders should follow to promote a safe and enjoyable rides for everyone.

The objective of this document is to communicate the Gat 7even’s practices for safer and more enjoyable group rides. Please keep in mind as you read through this document that each rider is ultimately responsible for their own safety, and they should never ride beyond their own riding capabilities or that of their motorcycle. These are basic guidelines for common circumstances and in no way cover every situation we may encounter. Please learn these guidelines and use your best judgment when applying them to various situations.

Ride Captains/Tail Gunners

These guidelines, in conjunction with the Group Riding Guidelines, will outline the Ride Captain’s and Tail Gunner’s basic responsibilities.

Qualifications

Ride Captains will help plan, organize, and lead club rides. Our Ride Captains must demonstrate the ability to mentor, instruct, make decisions, and ultimately accept the lion’s share of responsibility for ensuring an enjoyable ride that everyone returns home safely from.

• Accept the responsibility of ensuring the safety and welfare of yourself, other riders, surrounding motorists, pedestrians, and property
• Lead rides in a well organized manner with safety as top priority
• Devote an appropriate amount of time to planning, scouting, and organizing
• Work harmoniously with others involved in the planning and organization
• Mentor others to become better riders
• Demonstrate patience and understanding dealing with others

Requirements

Ride Captains are required to have a great deal of riding experience and must posses a very high level of competency in; organization, people skills, and applying safety standards and motor laws.

·         High level knowledge in motoring laws and the variances state to state

·         High level knowledge of our Guidelines

·         High level knowledge of commonly accepted Best Safety Practices

·         Hold a valid motorcycle driver's license.

·         Carry valid motorcycle insurance as required by law

Although not required it is highly desirable for Ride Captains to demonstrate a superior level  of professionalism and commitment by attending safety and emergency training courses, and by obtaining professional certifications.

• Obtain & Maintain a First Aid/CPR certification
• Complete a MSF Experienced Riders Course
• Obtain MSF Trainer credentials
• Maintain Professional Safety Organization memberships

Ride Captain's Responsibilities

• Has full charge of the group from start to arrival
• Will lead the group in a manner consistent with;
  • These Guidelines
  • The Group Riding Guidelines
  • All commonly accepted safety practices not identified in the Guidelines
• Will conduct a Pre-Ride Assessment
• Will conduct a Pre-Ride group briefing
• Will be responsible for the final decision with regard to ride termination due to;
  • Inclement weather
  • Hazardous conditions
  • Difficult or unsafe conditions.
• Will instruct any rider to;
  • Ride in a specific position within the group
  • Leave the group for;
    • Misconduct
    • Disorderly or unsafe riding
    • Faulty/unsafe equipment
• Will carry a well-maintained first aid
• Will carry a well-stocked tool kit
• Will carry a cell phone
• Will define and maintain a uniform speed consistent with;
  • The ability of the least experienced rider
  • Road conditions
  • Traffic
  • Weather conditions.
• Will initiate all maneuvers in a "Safety First" manner
• Will use standard formations and will operate within a single traffic lane
• Will ride at the head of the group
• Will maintain a safe following distance using the minimum 3- second rule between the group and any vehicle ahead
• Will operate in a Single Row Formation whenever conditions impair the ability of any individual rider to perform maneuvers safely in a Dual Row Formation.

Ride Captains Pre-Ride

• Determine riding group size
• Determine skill level
• Determine position assignments (new riders if necessary)
• Determine gas stop requirements
• Identify any planning or safety considerations

Road Captain’s Group Briefing

• Welcome riders and introduce Ride Captains
• Review destination and route
• Review itinerary for the day
• Review return plans
• Review riding formation and spacing
• Review position assignments if necessary
• Review Hand signals
• Review Break down/ emergency procedure
• Review  cruising speeds
• Remind everyone to have fun, and to ride safely

Tail Gunner

·         Follow the Ride Captain qualifications

·         Will assist the road captain in the performance of his or her duties

·         Will assume the duties and responsibilities of an absent Ride Captain

·         Will carry a first aid kit.

·         Will carry a well-stocked tool kit

·         Will ride at the rear of the group unless;

• A specific situation dictates otherwise
• Has assumed the responsibilities of the road captain

·         Will be observant of any hazardous conditions or conduct, take immediate corrective action, and inform the road captain at the earliest safe opportunity.

·         Will normally ride where the group can be overseen most effectively

Lane protection is the tail gunner’s added responsibility. On the highway, as the group prepares to make a lane change, the tail gunner will make the lane change as soon as is safe to do so, followed by the road captain, then the remainder of the group. In this way, the tail gunner protects that lane keeping it clear for the entire group to move into this lane.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these guidelines should not vary in any large measure from most other club’s or safety agency’s guidelines.  They are intended to promote safe riding and should not conflict with any known standard safety practices.  In the event that advice in this document does conflict with what you know to be safety standards, please inform Greg@Gat7even.com. This document is merely a guideline and in no way should the author, the club, or it’s members be held liable for it’s content.   Always use your best judgment and remember, you and only you are responsible for your own safety.

Download a printable copy of these Guidelines Here

RideCaptainsGuidelines.doc 11-09-07