U.B.A.D Rules & Regulations

The reason for this page is to inform everyone, who enjoys riding with the association, that our rules are very simple:

Safety: U.B.A.D. considers safety to be the most important feature of any ride. Given the nature of the association structure, at no time does the U.B.A.D accept responsibility for any rider's actions or lack of action before, during or after a ride. The U.B.A.D. Motorcycle Association does not condone drinking and riding. Anyone participating in a U.B.A.D. ride or event who consumes alcoholic beverages or any other substance that may impair their ability to operate a motorcycle or any other motor vehicle does so without the consent of the U.B.A.D Motorcycle Association.

Each individual rider is 100% responsible for:
a) safely operating their vehicle in accordance with all applicable Federal, State and local laws.
b) making sure that they and their vehicle are un-impaired, and are currently functioning safely.
c) making sure that they can perform and maneuver safely in the riding environment that they are in. Should they be not 100% sure of their ability in the current ride, they must remove themselves from the situation. At all times, each rider must ride within their capabilities.
d) section (a) - (c) above and thus, ultimately, their own safety, actions and/or lack of action.
It is the duty of every rider to make sure the environment is safe for themselves as well as for other riders. In doing so, every ride will be as safe as can be.

Formation Riding: Will be in a standard staggered formation. In staggered formation, the bikes form two columns, with the leader at dead center. The second bike will head the right column, and will ride approximately 1 second behind the leader (and in the opposite side of the lane). The other riders will position their bikes -2 seconds behind the bike directly in front of them, which puts them 1 second behind the diagonal bike. This formation allows each rider sufficient safety space, and discourages other vehicles from cutting into the line. The last rider, or Tail Gunner, may ride on whichever side of the lane he prefers. He will have to change sides during the ride, based on the situation at the moment.

Ride Leader: All directions come from the Ride Leader. The Ride Leader makes all decisions regarding lane changes, stopping for breaks and fuel, closing of gaps, turning off at exits, any concerns of what lies ahead. No individual will assert himself independently without direction from the Ride Leader to do so.

Tail Gunner: The Tail Gunner serves as the eyes of the Ride Leader. He watches the formation, and informs the Ride Leader of any potential problems within the group. He watches other vehicles, and informs the Ride Leader of hazardous conditions approaching from the rear, such as vehicles trying to cut into the formation and trucks passing with potentially dangerous wind blasts. He will watch for merging lanes, and will move into a merging lane (or stay in a merging lane just vacated by the group) in order to "close the door" on other vehicles that may otherwise find themselves trying to merge into the formation.

Emergencies: In the unlikely event of an emergency condition, the Ride Leader will make every attempt to move the formation to the shoulder in an orderly manner. If a bike breaks down, let the rider move to the right. The Tail Gunner will stop with the problem bike. The Ride Leader will lead the group to a safe stopping place.

Hand Signals: Each rider should duplicate all hand signals given by the rider in front of him, so that the signals get passed all the way to the back of the formation. (See hand signal page)