Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Riding in Groups

When group riding on a two lane road the front left rider should be the leader during the ride. The reasons are the same as why a solo rider should be in the left side of the lane. When riding with friends that I am very familiar with we don't stagger, but ride parallel. During turns we stagger with the left rider taking the lead in a left turn and the right rider taking the lead in a right turn. I wouldn't recommend parallel riding unless you know the other rider very well and both of you know what each is doing and why.

When group riding on four lane roads the lead rider shifts between the left rider and the right rider depending on which lane you are in. When in the right hand lane the left rider is in the lead. When in the left hand lane the right rider is in the lead. The lead rider initiates a lane change. Generally you are only in the left hand lane to pass slower traffic. So when shifting from the right hand lane the lead rider signals moving into the left hand lane and the right rider follows and once in the left hand lane the right rider takes the lead and determines when to shift back into the right hand lane. Again the reasoning for this is the same as why you solo ride the left side of the right lane and the right side of the left lane.

It all has to do with flow, visibility and maintaining your position on the road.

When riding with a group of riders that you are not familiar with then it is best to be in the lead, create as much space between you and the riders in front or just ride at the back of the pack.

Tom