You know the meeting point, the magic words “column start” make your heart race, but there’s no one to ask? No problem — we’ll teach you 😄
What Is a Motorcycle Column?
A column is organized vehicle movement. Not a crowd, not a mess, not a gang, not a flock — organized movement. Ideally, with police escort. Now let’s go step by step, from start to finish.
Gathering the Column, Organizers
Before the gathering, make sure you have fuel in the tank, and no excess liquids in your body, or you risk getting lost on a pee break 😄
Obviously, no alcohol, and especially no drugs (drugs are bad in general). Your lights must be working, and your motorcycle should be roadworthy overall. And you need your documents. Don’t put everyone at risk with license-plate-less bravado.
You may be denied entry to the column or removed from it for various reasons, for example, those listed above. Don’t try to force your way back in or start yelling. Find out the reason and ride on your own. This isn’t the last column of your life, or even of this season.
At the gathering stage, your task is to line up, in other words, take a place at the tail of the column. Remember who is riding in front of you. Your job is to stay behind that rider. Changing order within the column is unacceptable. Forget about showing off or filming the column from the side, there are specially assigned people for that. Your job is to stay behind the rider you lined up behind. Want to film from the outside? Don’t join the column.
Why is it like this? I’ll explain shortly.
Pay attention to the column organizers, they usually dress similarly, often wearing reflective vests. Their job is to block cars from cutting into the column, regulate speed, and generally lead the column. Their instructions must be followed.
The Motorcycle Column and Traffic Laws
A column may be escorted by the police, but clubs and groups do not always coordinate such events officially. Be mentally prepared for situations where the column may, for example, ride through a red light (this is the most common case). If the column is not led by traffic police, this will legally count as a traffic violation. Clarify this with the organizers or decide for yourself before the ride begins.
If you suddenly realize the column is riding through a red light, either leave the column in advance or ride through with everyone and leave afterward. Do not break the column by stopping at a red light, it’s less safe than the entire column passing through together.
If you are not a participant in the column, merging into it can result in a fine. This also means that cars trying to merge into the column are violating traffic laws and may be aggressively honked at by column participants. You are not allowed to interfere with them.
All of this applies only to an organized transport column. A group of motorcyclists riding without escort is just regular traffic flow.
Motorcycle Column is Starting to Ride
As soon as you reach the road, the column forms in a staggered formation. That means the first rider keeps to the left side of the lane, the second to the right, the third to the left, and so on.
The staggered formation has many advantages. First, you get more room to maneuver, while the column takes up less space. Second, you occupy the entire lane, which discourages car drivers from trying to squeeze in. Always keep a safe following distance, don’t assume that because you’re riding in a huge, loud column, nothing can happen. It can.
Maneuvering in Motorcycle Column
The first and most important thing: turn signals. When you see the rider in front of you turn on their signal, wait about half a second and then turn yours on as well. Change lanes only after your lead rider does, even if you already see the column moving over. This way, you’ll know the intended direction even if you can’t see the front of the column.
Don’t forget to turn off your signal after completing the maneuver, the entire tail of the column is copying your actions.
For the same reason, you must not overtake your lead rider. If you do, you’ll have to change position within the lane, the rider behind you will follow, and nobody knows what chaos that will create further back. Don’t create confusion, don’t overtake your lead. The opposite applies too: if your follower overtakes you, give them a chance to return to their place.
This is especially relevant at traffic lights. If a red light cuts off the tail of the column, you will change position once at the start and once when rejoining. Why? Remember your position, your lead and your follower, and preserve your place in the column.
If you leave the column for some reason and need to return, don’t try to squeeze back into your original spot, merge at the tail. Not everyone is ready to accept motorcycles into a moving column. Don’t push your luck.
Lane Splitting
A competent lead rider won’t take the column into lane splitting unless absolutely necessary. But if it does happen, everyone rides single file, and afterward returns to staggered formation.
Pay special attention to bike width, just because the lead rider fits through doesn’t mean you will. Better slow and careful than fast and waiting by the roadside for the police.
Staying Focused
Don’t torture yourself or your motorcycle. Motorcycle columns usually ride at a moderate pace, but if you feel serious discomfort, it’s better to leave the column than to overload your mind trying to keep track of everything at once.
You must remember your lead rider, your follower, and your position in the column. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore the rest of the road — stay aware. You’re still riding in traffic.
End of the Motorcycle Column
When you reach the destination, don’t try to squeeze in as close as possible right away, that’s how you (and others like you) create a long entry queue. It’s better to keep riding forward as far as possible and park later.
In Conclusion
A column ride is not about speed, showing off, or individual freedom, it’s about discipline, awareness, and mutual respect. Remember your position, follow your lead rider, obey the organizers, and stay focused on the road. If something feels wrong or unsafe, it’s always better to leave the column calmly than to put yourself or others at risk.
