Better Riding: Group Riding Myths, Risks & Safer Techniques

Motorbike coach Mark McVeigh joins us to discuss group riding myths, risks, formations, peer pressure, safety bubbles, and how to ride more safely and confidently in a group. Group riding can be one of the most enjoyable parts of motorcycling, but it can also be one of the riskiest. In this episode of the Better Riding series powered by Honda Motorcycles UK, Mark (www.motorbikecoach.com) and Michael explore why traditional advice is flawed, and offer evidence‑based guidance for safer, calmer, more enjoyable group rides.

How to Ride Safely in a Group (And Why Formation Riding Fails) - Better Riding

Michael and Mark challenge long-held group riding advice, including staggered formations, close spacing, and keeping up with the pack.

Whether you’ve been riding for five days or fifty years, there’s always more to learn. That’s the focus of our Better Riding series, created in partnership with Honda Motorcycle UK.

Almost 1800 motorcycle casualties caused by another motorcycle between 2020-2024

What makes group riding riskier than riding solo?

According to our motorbike coach the biggest hidden danger is risk density.

While group rides create camaraderie - coffee stops, shared experiences, great roads—when different skill levels, peer pressure, and old‑school formation rules collide, the risk increases dramatically.

Mark points out that, despite limited formal data, news stories and rider reports consistently show multi‑bike crashes linked to tight formations, poor spacing, and herd mentality. Riders bunch up, react to the group rather than the road, and lose their individual safety margin.

Mark even says he’d prefer racing at 125mph on a track beside John McGuinness over riding unknown roads with unknown riders. That’s how risky group rides can feel to an expert.

An example of the traditional staggered formation

Why shouldn’t we ride in the traditional staggered formation?

Most published group riding advice uses a staggered formation - a neat zig‑zag pattern designed to maintain visibility and spacing.

But that advice doesn’t work. Why?

• Riders naturally move laterally within their lane.

• That movement instantly collapses the advertised 2 - 3 second gap to 1 second or less.

• Real‑world hazards such as potholes, diesel spills and corners force riders out of formation.

• Perception + reaction time alone can be 2 seconds, meaning you may have already used up your safety margin before touching the brakes.

• When one rider brakes, the formation creates an accordion effect that multiplies risk.

The result? A system that prioritises looking tidy over real safety.

Are we too close to the bike in front?

How do different rider abilities cause problems in a group?

A huge challenge in group riding is ability spread.

• Newer riders feel pressured to keep up

• Experienced riders push the pace or show off

• Others are focused simply on staying upright

• Inexperienced riders try too hard to maintain formation or focus solely on the rider in front

• Riders misread each other’s intentions, particularly during overtakes

On the road, unlike the track, riders can have wildly different skill levels, confidence, and hazards to manage. Trying to ride in formation only amplifies these differences.

Give yourself plenty of space on the road especially around blind bends

What’s an alternative to standard formation riding?

Mark’s number‑one solution: use the Safety Bubble - a dynamic zone of time, space, and vision around your bike.

Key elements include:

• Maintain a minimum 3‑second gap

• If someone cuts in, rebuild your buffer immediately

• Position yourself for maximum visibility, even if that breaks formation

• Make micro-adjustments, avoiding sudden inputs

• Allow the group to stretch naturally and reconnect later

• Avoid reacting to the group - ride your ride

In other words:
Protect your margin, not the formation.

Who’s in the wrong here?

How should overtaking be managed safely in a group?

Overtaking is one of the biggest dangers in group riding where common problems include:

• Riders assuming the person ahead will overtake

• Riders hesitating, then going for it at the same moment

• Blind bends hiding oncoming traffic

• Peer pressure leading to rushed decisions

Safe overtaking in a group requires:

• Total independence in decision‑making

• Zero pressure to follow

• Accepting that the group may temporarily split

• Pre‑agreed regroup points to remove panic or urgency

Mark’s message: Never overtake simply because the rider ahead has.

The bike won’t point out hazards so make sure you know the right signals from your group

What should riders do before setting off on a group ride?

Good group rides start before helmets go on. The lead rider or organiser has a responsibility to ensure all riders in the group:

• Agree the route or destination

• Set expectations for pacing and spacing

• Talk through the safety bubble

• Brief on hand signals or helmet comms for hazard warnings or low fuel, for example

• Agree regroup points

• Encourage riders to speak up about ability or concerns

• Focus on safety, not bravado

The rider ahead has overtaken the campervan, does that mean it’s safe for you to go too?

Why does group riding make even advanced riders anxious?

Mark’s comparison is striking, he experiences more anxiety riding slowly with unknown riders on a group ride than when he’s elbow‑to‑elbow with world‑class racers at 125mph.

Why?

On track:

• Riders are of similar ability

• Everyone understands etiquette

• Hazards are consistent

• Behaviour is predictable

On the road:

• Skill levels vary wildly

• Ego, inexperience, or poor judgement come into play

• Unpredictability is high

• Staggered formation makes things worse

Mark sees this misalignment of riders trusting a flawed system as the core cause of group‑ride crashes.

What are the key takeaways for safer, smarter group riding?

• Throw the formation rule in the bin

• Focus on your safety bubble

• Prioritise spacing over symmetry

• Ride at your own pace

• Communicate clearly

• Use regroup points

• Celebrate survival stories, not hero stories

• Protect your margin above all

• Consider adding an additional safety margin when riding at night

This Better Riding series is brought to you in partnership with Honda Motorcycles UK whose goal: zero traffic fatalities involving Honda mobility products worldwide by 2050. Better Riding is a collection of self-help videos and written guides packed with practical tips, expert advice, and simple yet effective exercises. Designed for riders of all levels, it aims to boost confidence, improve machine control, and complement traditional post-test training. Because when your skills improve, so does the fun.

Top Tip: I often commentate while riding. It helps to remind myself of hazards and what my responses are to avoid danger. If you don’t already, why not try it? Afterall, nobody can hear you. If you have an action camera (here’s a link to our reviews of the most recent 14 options), record your ride and review it afterwards looking at possible areas to improve. You can always ask specific question over at BikeClub or on our private Facebook Group, or tune in to the other episodes in this series on our YouTube channel.