Blocking intersections

[Axtman01]

I am part of a local MC in MN. When we do any big rides like our JDRF ride every July we usualy block. But on that note if the leader comes to an intersection where there is traffic he/she will wait until there is a big gap in traffic before they take off. Then we'll use a blocker for the last few bikes to get through without getting left behind. We have even broken up a group due to being to big or an emergency vehicle trying to get through. It all boils down to common sense and most people usually don't mind if it's just for a small amound of time.

[racinfan101]

Have seen it done quite a bit, and have been scared shitless once when I thought a blocker was for sure going to get ran over.

[Yellow Jacket]

The only group rides I have ever been on where intersection blocking took place has been on Patriot Guard Rider funeral escorts. The blocking is done by either LEO's or by ex-LEO riders who have the necessary lights and sirens installed.

In Georgia, any funeral procession has the right of way through an intersection with or without any blocking.

[yoda]

I have done it, but really don't prefer it. Our club(SCRC) has put into the club constitution not to do it, as a result of some problems in the past. If the group is larger than 20 bikes, I prefer to split it up. I also have a pre ride breifing before every ride, and tell people that rather than blocking, we will be bread-crumbing if we get split up. It works, is legal, and simply requires that everyone is on the same page as to what to do. An illustration of breadcrumbing is found here: http://www.sunsethog.com/groupRiding.html

[racinfan101]

That was a good page on group riding and the videos were interesting. 1 video is worth a 1000 words!

[jestephens]

I'm not a fan of blocking. I've been with groups doing it and it's embarrassing when we've blocked the whole intersection, pissing people off just so we can all fit into a gas station parking lot and wait in line to fill up . . . . these were KawaNOW/VBA rallies . . . Of course if it's being done, I'm not going to be the ONE to stop at the red light and F the whole thing up by adding more confusion, but I feel it's unnecessarily rude and it makes me uncomfortable.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by jestephens

I'm not a fan of blocking. I've been with groups doing it and it's embarrassing when we've blocked the whole intersection, pissing people off just so we can all fit into a gas station parking lot and wait in line to fill up .

In your scenario you block the road in both directions to get into a gas station.
If you don't block both directions then the vehicles in your lane behind your group have to wait even longer to get by.
I would think getting both lanes moving the quickest would be preferred.

[Idaho]

Large groups are not my favorite to ride with. Rider skills are too varied and things can get messy real fast. I don't agree with blocking intersections. Traffic signs need to be followed. I've seen some very close calls because of blocking intersections on highways. Not a good idea. It is always better to form back up than to try to stay together for some foolish reason.

[cnc]

I wouldn't dare block a busy intersection around here or any other big metropolitan area, people are just nuts behind the wheel. However when we blocked in the recent regional rally, it was small town and sometimes country road intersections or just to get everyone out of a gas stop together. Always one direction only. I know the one time I blocked, I got a wave from the first car to have to stop and I waved a thank you back. I didn't see any p*ssed off drivers when we did it, and as a matter of fact at least one time a car or truck did the blocking waving us to proceed.

[cactusjack]

A few years ago, I was on a group ride with about 40-50 bikes. We stopped at a Chevron in Wickenburg for fuel. It probably took 45 minutes to get everybody ready to go again. A DPS officer had pulled a car over in front of the station and after the officer was done writing the ticket, our group leader walked over and asked the officer if he would block traffic so we could all get out onto the highway in one shot. The officer was really reluctant to do it, which I though was sort of odd.

[Jgrazjgraz]

Did a PGR run last year in which we escorted a group of marines on their bicycles from the George Washington Br down to ground zero.
We blocked every intersection on both sides of the avenues, all the way,leap frog style. Was hairy and scary

[Sin City Stan]

Originally Posted by jestephens

I'm not a fan of blocking. . . . I feel it's unnecessarily rude and it makes me uncomfortable.

I agree 100%

[rusty1]

The last 3 years I have ridden in a local ride for the troops which were in excess of 400 bikes all in one group. We had LEOs from 2 police departments, 4 sheriff departments and the highway patrol escort and block for much of the 130 miles of the ride. The rest of the blocking was by riders with the organization. The ride was very smooth for that many riders but you still have to watch the intersections.
That being said, the blocking done on our regional rally rides this year were just as smooth and safe. I was very impressed.

[Sin City Stan]

Originally Posted by rusty1

The last 3 years I have ridden in a local ride for the troops which were in excess of 400 bikes all in one group. We had LEOs from 2 police departments, 4 sheriff departments and the highway patrol escort and block for much of the 130 miles of the ride. The rest of the blocking was by riders with the organization. The ride was very smooth for that many riders but you still have to watch the intersections.
That being said, the blocking done on our regional rally rides this year were just as smooth and safe. I was very impressed.

Just curious if there was a charge for this escort or any LEO escort for that matter.

[glwilson]

Can't answer for Rusty... but the large rides I have been on where LEO's helped, there was not a charge -- but keep in mind... it was a LARGE event.

From what I was told by the organizers is the LEO's looked at it from the perspective of them being pro-active to avoid any possibility of more work later had they not helped... not to mention the "bad-press" of not helping with the event.

Hopefully, that makes sense...