STAR Touring & Riding

MAINE CHAPTER 150

Portland, ME

Stopping and Parking

• Stopping as a group at an intersection

When stopping as a group at an intersection, break stagger formation and pull up beside the bike in the adjacent lane.  This will reduce the length of the group by half.  Stay in this formation until you are through the intersection.  Because the group is half as long it will take half the time to clear the intersection and increase the odds of  keeping the group intact.

If you don't make it through the intersection with the group, don't worry.  Don't take a chance and run a red light.  The leader will know that you are not with the group and will slow down, or wait for you down the road.

• Group Parking

  Parking in an orderly method substantially reduces the time for all to get off the road and out of traffic.  There is risk of injury for the last bikes that may be blocking the road in an attempt to stay with the group.

  A good way to park, if there is room, is for each bike to pull ahead of the intended parking place and then back up into your spot.  You can see how this is done on the image below.  This can be done very fast because you don't have to wait for the bike ahead of you to finish the job.

  If you find yourself at the end of the group and can't get off the road while waiting for others to park, GO AROUND.  Come back a minute or two later when things have settled down and take your time.