Riding in columns with MC-Travel
1. Assume a zigzag formation from the start and keep this formation during the ride. (Staggered riding, i.e. there is a good safety distance to the driver in front of you which makes it easier for you to see what is happening in front of you and thus take stock of a potentially dangerous situation).
2. Find your place in the column. This will be your permanent place until the next stop.
3. If you are riding to the left, you must stay in the left side of the lane. Stay in your side of the lane all the time – also at bends and crossings. Never cut corners, lurch from side to side or ride between the two rows of the column.
4. Never overtake the drivers in front of you in your row.
5. Keep a distance to the driver in front of you in your row. Approx. 10-20 m at 45 km/h, and in excess of that at least 25-40 m, preferably more out of consideration for yourself and for the drivers behind you. As a rule of thumb, the distance in m should be half the speed, i.e. 80 km/h = 40 m.
6. If a driver falls behind/leaves the column during the ride, then you move up and take his/her place. You move up and fill the hole, but you and the drivers behind you stay in the same row. I.e. the entire row moves up, and those riding in the left side of the lane will stay in the left side, and likewise those in the right side of the lane.
7. Never cross/change row as this will cause disorder and increase the risk of dangerous situations.
8. When entering roundabouts: Stay in your place in the row and enter the roundabout at an adapted speed. I.e. you stay in the same side of the lane as when you are going straight ahead.
9. When going on to another road or when stopping at a crossing: Gather the column so the drivers in the two rows are side by side. Reassume the zigzag formation immediately after turning.
10. When riding on narrow roads: On narrow roads it may be necessary to ride in a single column. The front driver pulls in to the right half of the lane, and the rest of the column’s left row follows. Show extreme caution during this manoeuvre! Reassume the zigzag formation as soon as conditions allow it. This is also decided by the front driver.
11. The front driver makes the decisions! He/she is always placed farthest to the left in the lane and decides the speed and the route. You always follow the front driver, unless it contravenes the Road Traffic Act.
12. It is always the responsibility of the front driver to ensure that the driver behind him/her keeps up. Lower the speed if necessary. However, this does not apply if a driver leaves the column. In this case, the last driver in the column contacts him/her.
13. If emergency vehicles come up from behind, the last driver in the column pulls in to the right of the lane, and this manoeuvre spreads up through the row.
14. The speed is lowest in the front of the column, so if you are not experienced in riding in columns, you should position yourself here. Vice versa – if you like more speed, you position yourself at the back of the column. No matter your position, you must always be extremely attentive, as this way of riding is not quite safe.
15. In case animals (chickens, cats or other small animals) run out on the road, you must maintain your speed and direction; otherwise it might cause more damage and increase the risk of accidents.
