Group Riding - The Accordion Effect

By Kent

The dynamics of group riding is significantly different than the dynamics of riding alone. In a group you are no longer operating your bike as an independent element of traffic flow. Instead, you have become somewhat like a cell in a larger organism.

For this organism to effectively archive the foremost goal of safely arriving at a destination each part must work as a team. Communication and correct responses then become critical for the team to operate as a single unit.

Communication normally takes the form of hand signals (discussed in a previous article), conventional brake and turn signals, and if available, intercoms and CB radios.

Communication can be mastered without a great deal of effort as the same basic concepts apply to driving an automobile in traffic. Correctly responding to the communication, however, is something that requires a great deal more effort.

The basic reason is that group riding is normally done in a tight 2 second stagger* formation. This type formation allows little room for error and assumes all riders respond with the same basic reaction time. The reality is that those riders in the forward part of the formation receive the signals before those riding in the rear. This results in what is called the accordion effect.

The accordion effect is seen if the leader brakes and it isn't immediately perceived by those in the rear of the formation and the formation compresses in length. Likewise, if the leader speeds up and this isn't noted by the later part of the formation then the formation expands. This expansion isn't normally a problem, but when the rear of the formation tries to catch up they often overcompensate and the formation again compresses. Either way, the compression can have disastrous results because there is no longer any room to maneuver.

Since signals are normally passed from rider to rider from the leader back through the formation, problems with delayed reaction and the resultant accordion effect can be greatly minimized by keeping the formation small. Although it's an awesome experience rumbling along the road with hundreds of other riders, it's far safer to keep formation down to 6 or less.

Ride safely.
Kent

*2 second stagger formation:
In this formation all riders are located in the same lane of traffic, with every other rider in opposite tracks of the lane. Between each rider and the rider directly in front of them in the same track is a two second gap. The riders to the front and rear in the opposite track are, therefore, 1 second ahead or behind. This type formation minimizes the chance that an automobile will cut into the formation.

The American Motorcycle Association offers some really worthwhile tips on riding safely with a group. Find them at http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/groupRide.asp

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