We are about riding safely. Period. Make sure you know how to ride that thing before coming out to ride with us. Please. We are not about Stunts & Endos and we ride Legally. that does not mean we are riding around at the Speed Limit either. There is this rare thing called “Judgement” they we insist be used when you ride with us. Riding in a group is different. You must keep up with the Swarm AND you MUST stay in formation. This is not just for your safety, but for all of us. We expect you to be in a certain place and stay there. When the leaders of the group look into their rear views, they do not want to see you wandering back and forth in the lane. Nobody wants to see that. If you do noy know, ask. “Communication” is another rare thing we expect from you. This is not the time to be shy. It also not the time to be shy on the throttle. When that light turn green we GO! So should you! Twist that right hand! You should maintain about 2 bike lengths between you and the bike in front of you! Never leave a large space. Cars will try to cut in, causing danger for all of us!
Another issue that needs to discussed is Traffic Lights. If the light turns red in the middle of the Swarm… KEEP GOING! DO NOT STOP FOR THE RED LIGHT! UNLESS YOU REALLY HAVE TO. IF YOU DO – START HONKING THAT HORN! This is how we know to pull over and wait for you. Most lights do not have a Camera. Leave that Paranoia at home, please. Alot of Motorcycle Riders are used to riding in a group but not all our Scooter Riding members. They know that there isnt a Cop waiting at every light on LI. This is also why it is very important to KEEP UP! Most Police officers are also not looking to pull over a whole group just bcause the last few didnt make it through the light.
Being Legal is another thing. We have had people show up with homemede Licence Plates or even no licence plates. A Police officer will pull us all over for sure if they see that. Expired Registrations and Inspections are less of a problem in a pack but by yourself you are ripe for a ticket if you have the wrong color sticker on your plate. All Reg Sticker exire at the end of this month, April. So get to DMV and Scoot On… Marbles Mahoney Founder & President
The Hornets Long Island Scooter Club Of NY 
AMEN
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Be sure to check your tire pressure, it affects your turning control,,
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when traveling in a group in order to keep the formation the second rider must hold their position no matter what the leader does because if the second rider adjusts their position according to where the leader is riding, then the entire group will have to change their position in order to adjust to the rider in front of them causing all the riders to be moving side to side in line….the leader is checking things out so he/she will be moving around but the rest should stay in the opening formation
As for the “going through a red traffic signal”… an intersection is where most riders will interact with traffic….people these days don’t seem to respect stop signs or traffic lights and can’t wait to get through a light the instant it turns green….you do not want to be the rider who is now caught in the middle of that intersection with traffic crossing your path….my suggestion is fr your safety, if the light turns red for you, stop and blow your horn so the rest pull over and wait for you…..remember it’s a ride not a race and we all want to get home in one piece on our scooters or bikes….
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Safety???
Following distance…..Not “2 bike lengths” it is 2 seconds…..big difference. At 60mph 2 seconds is 176 feet following distance…..
At 60MPH a two length following distance (say 10 or 11 feet) represents 1/8 of a second, while the accepted average perception / reaction itme is about 1.5 seconds (without distractions)
Going through red lights is a bad idea and illegal and unsafe at many levels. It will certainly piss off motorists, bad image. Hard to defend in court when you get hit, but the other driver had the green light. You could be seriously hurt or dead.
Big ride groups need to subdivide to groups of 6 or so. A sub-group of 6 or less can usually make it through the green or amber light. More riders than that, the light can go red.
At higher speeds and curvy roads, single file is safer.
Rides with proper permits can get police escort and have intersections blocked off so the group can stay intact.
Perhaps have some rides for “beginners” so they can learn, then list other rides as “experienced riders only”. How can beginners get better if the experts don’t help them? Or have a “fast” group, and “newbie” group, in a given ride.
Less experienced riders go up front, after the leader, they set the pace. Bad idea to have newbies in the rear trying to catch up and exceeding their skill level.
And while I’m on this rant about safety…..Because it is “just a scooter”…Riding with shorts, tee shirt, tennis shoes, no gloves….come on…..really?
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I guess that the concept of “Judgement” is alien to you. If you think that this is a blanket call for going thru red lights or the exact length/time between bikes then I guess even riding itself is alien to you. Come on… really?
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