A question for LEOs or anyone else who feels informed...

Regarding group rides (with lets say 10 or more bikes)...

I've seen a few large groups of riders who approach intersections (specifically stop signs) where the leading rider will pull out into the intersection and basically stop as a road block tocross-traffic while all the other bikes proceed through - to keep the group from getting split up by cars, etc. Is this legal or is it generally looked past by a LEO? Just curious. Inthe situation I've described, you certainly have multiple registered vehicles that are going through that intersection without stopping.

I ask cause I'm working with a few other people to form a local riding group and was pondering this very thought a bit earlier...

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

Not a LEO but ride with them and our club is primarily LEO's.. We do it when on official rides and sometimes when necessary and have over 10+ etc.

 

Not a LEO but I think it depends on the officer. A couple of years ago a group of us were passing through a small town in Indiana and proceeded to block traffic and proceeded out of town. About 3 miles out the local police officer pulled us over and gave all of us warning tickets for not stopping at a stop sign.

 

Not a LEO but this can't be legal. For one stopping traffic, another going thru a stop sign unless of course it was a official escort by an officer of the law. Just my thoughts

 

I totally disagree with this type of manuever. Somebody in the car/truck/whatever is going to pull out. Who is in the right? It is going to hard to explain that while you were in a riding group that you ran the stop sign or red light.

I personally do not like to ride in groups of more than about 4 bikes. If I ride with more, we make sure that the "last" rider knows where we are going.

There is also another form of riding that is getting to be common: The group allows itself to spread out (maybe 1/4 mile apart). When the first rider makes a turn, he waits until the second rider acknowledges the turn. The first rider then moves on and the second rider waits for rider 3 and so on. This eliminates the group being packed together. There should be a predetermined stopping point after so much time or mileage. Say for example if rider doesn't show up to make a turn, rider 3 goes back to look for them. If you have a larger group, rider 5 will stop with 4 and determine the extent of trouble, etc. Rider 6, after checking in with 4 + 5, can then move on and either advise the preceeding riders or tell them to keep going. Having everybody stopped alongside the road can be dangerous to all.

My $.02 worth.

Gart

 

Not a LEO either but I was told by one that at least in our state (OHIO) if you're directing traffic you are responsible for anything that happens. In other words you direct a rider to go against the light and they're struck you own it! I guess that also goes for obstructing the right of way. If you get hit out in the intersection you could be at fault.

We'll see what the pros say.

Ride well,

Jim

 

This is not legal as per the NJ statue on stop signs. 39:4-144. However, I'm sure it is tolerated if done professionally and safely. In a court of law I would say it's a loser...........

 

Retired PO and its not legal, if you have to split let the lead riders pull over to a safe portion of the road and wait to reform your group

 

Not legal. You, as a private citizen cannot perform traffic control duties, for the sole purpose of getting a group of bikes across the street.

The only time I have seen it done with LEO blessing, was large rides (PGR/ALR escorts), when a LEO would initially stop traffic, and he would be relieved by a rider from the group, and THAT doesn't happen very often.

 

Blocking is illegal....unless LEO do the initial stop, and a biker "holds" the intersection...
that being all well and good... but a 3500 poundcar will win the fight against an 800 pound bike everytime
I've blocked in support of many events, and i keep it in gear, ready to go... the following riders MUST be paying attention....

Over the years, I've had people climbing out of cars, trucks, city buses looking to kick some butt, because they were "running late" It's your life..... if you can't stop and wait for everyone to catch up.... you take the risks/chances you want... but a ticket could be the least of your worries