Mastering Hand and Feet Signals - Group Motorcycle Riding

[sajeesh]

Hand and Feet Signals for Group Motorcycle Riding

Group motorcycle riding requires clear communication and coordination among riders to ensure safety on the road. While there are various methods of communication available, hand and feet signals play a crucial role in conveying messages effectively, especially when verbal communication is impractical due to the noise of engines or distance between riders. In this article, we will explore the most commonly used hand and feet signals for group motorcycle riding.

Hand Signals

• Left Turn: Extend your left arm straight out with your palm facing downward.
• Right Turn: Extend your left arm out and bent upward at the elbow, with your palm facing forward or pointing right.
• Hazard or Obstacle: Extend your left arm out and point with your index finger to the side of the road where the hazard or obstacle is located.
• Stopping: Extend your left arm out and point downward with your palm facing backward.
• Formation Change: Extend your left arm out and make a circular motion with your index finger to indicate a change in the riding formation.
• Single File: Extend your left arm out and point upward with your index finger, indicating that the group should ride in a single file formation.
• Slow Down: Extend your left arm out and move it up and down repeatedly with your palm facing downward.
• Speed Up: Extend your left arm out and move it up and down repeatedly with your palm facing upward.
• Bike Problem: Tap the top of your helmet with your hand to signal that there is a problem with your bike and you need to stop.
• Fuel Stop: Pat your waist or tap your fuel tank to signal that you need to make a stop for refueling.
• Refreshment Stop: Rub your stomach or point to your mouth to indicate the need for a break or a stop for food and drinks.
• Change of Leader: Extend your left arm up at a 45-degree angle, pointing with your index finger, and wave back to the front.
• Change Riding Formation:
  • Single File: Extend your left arm up, index finger up.
  • Double File: Extend your left arm up, index finger pointing to the side.

Feet Signals

• Tap Foot: Tap your foot on the ground repeatedly to indicate a hazard or obstacle on the road.
• Foot Pointing: Point your foot in the direction of a turn to signal upcoming direction changes.
• Foot Raised: Raise your foot off the foot-peg and extend it outward to indicate the need for the group to slow down or come to a stop.
• Foot Kick: Kick your foot out to the side to indicate a hazard or obstacle on the road.
• Foot Stomp: Stomp your foot on the ground to get the attention of the riders behind you or to signal an emergency situation.

Conclusion

In the realm of group motorcycle riding, effective communication is key to maintaining safety and coordination among riders. Hand signals provide a reliable means of conveying important messages, such as turns, hazards, formation changes, and stops. Feet signals, on the other hand, offer additional communication methods for riders to alert others about road conditions or get attention.

By familiarizing yourself with these hand and feet signals and ensuring that all riders in the group understand them, you can enhance your group riding experience and promote a safer environment on the road.

Remember, hand and feet signals should always be used in conjunction with other standard safety practices, such as proper signaling, maintaining a safe distance, and wearing appropriate protective gear. Stay vigilant, communicate effectively, and enjoy the camaraderie of group motorcycle riding while keeping safety at the forefront of your journey.

Originally posted on 27th June, 2023. Moved here from old blogs section

[blackmatterenny]

@sajeesh bhai, While the Foot signals seems meaningful. Isn't, Stomping on ground or tapping your foot on ground while riding slow or fast could be a bit dangerous considering that we are trying to indicate a hazard?

[sajeesh]

@blackmatterenny said in Mastering Hand and Feet Signals - Group Motorcycle Riding:

Stomping on ground or tapping your foot on ground while riding slow or fast could be a bit dangerous considering that we are trying to indicate a hazard

Agreed while the bike is in moving position. But stomping is evidently possible while you are stationed and thats what I meant to say here.

[Venky369]

What’s the signal if we have a cop around?

[blackmatterenny]

With the palm of your left hand tapping on the helmet. @Venky369 Anna