Why do cops ride side by side?

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Can someone tell me why motorcycle cops in the USA always ride side by side?  You would think that the gendarmes responsible for traffic safety would actually try to demonstrate safe riding habits.  It sure isn't because they are better riders because it seems that the area where I live always loses one or two every year. It seems to me that you can't overemphasize safety when riding and seeing these guys do that just really frosts me.  Thank you for listening to me rant.  

[nhmaf]

I don't know about other states but here in New Hampshire and Vermont it is illegal to ride side by side, and the cops don't do it except when in a parade.  However, it doesn't seem to stop many (but not all) of the Harley riders.
I wish that the traffic officers would enforce the law better, because we've had a few cases in the past few years when an accident that would have normally only taken out 1 bike/rider actually caused half a dozen or more to crash and be injured/killed because they were following too closely and in their stupid 2-across formation.   Our state doesn't force them to wear helmets either, and you'd be surprised at just how many stupid people there are.  But, our state motto really is "Live Free or Die" - so we just have to consider that some of this is "thinning the herd" for evolutionary purposes..

[Bob_Roller]

I've noticed this in the Phoenix area as well, a group of motor officers will ride in a 'cluster' rather than a staggered formation.

[k_enn]

Around here, it is very rare to see true side by side riding.  What some people mistake as side by side riding is actually a form of staggered riding.  Each motorcycle alternates what tire track it rides in, and lags a short distance behing the one in front so as to avoid intereference with the bike in the other track.  It allows for what appears to be a more compact formation, and increases the visibility of the motorcycles as a whole.  Rather than appearing as one or two motorcyles in a single file, they appear to other drivers as a larger vehicle that takes up a whole lane.  This helps discourage other drivers from intruding into the motorcycles' lane.  

k_enn

[montmil]

Maybe those bike cops are all frustrated actor wannabes... Ponch & John. Remember Eric Estrada and ol' Whatshisname in that California reality show CHiPS?

Monte

[nhmaf]

There are a number of folks round here that also do the "staggered" pattern riding - usually the Harley riders that at least wear helmets.
While it is definitely more safe than true side-by-side riding, they are often still waaaaay to close together to be able to react and avoid road hazards in the lane or by the shoulder without risking bumping or crossing the yellow line into oncoming traffic.    Just a couple miles down the road from my house we had an 80-something year old who shouldn't have been driving, drift his Crown Vic across the yellow line into the front of a pack of these riders who were in staggered, but too-close formation.   He took out 6 bikes - killed a rider and his passenger and sent those on the other 5 bikes to the hospital.   Those that he didn't hit directly got taken out by the "billiard ball effect" of bikes and riders or were forced off the side of the road into a steep embankment.  If they hadn't been in such a crowded formation, there would have been less carnage.  If they were in single file formation with proper following distance, I think that most, or all of them might possibly have been able to avoid the unguided octogenarian missile.

I always ride single file - or will ride in stagger formation wheel tracks within the lane but keep the similar following distance as if we were single file.  But, I refuse to ride in close formation as it greatly reduces your ability to avoid collisions.

[Ed Miller]

 But, our state motto really is "Live Free or Die" - so we just have to consider that some of this is "thinning the herd" for evolutionary purposes..

I like your state motto.

[nhmaf]

You think that is something - we are also the ONLY state in the union (and have been for the past few years) which does NOT have a mandatory primary seat-belt law for adults.   There is one for children/minors, however.   There was a push in April to pass one, as we have been sacrificing millions of $$ in federal highway funds for the lack of a primary seatbelt bill, but it was again voted down.  This one is kinda questionable, but alot of folks here refuse to have the government dictate what they must do, even if it does make them safer, they'd rather have the personal liberty to make that choice on their own (or not, I guess).

[MrRiden]

Can someone tell me why motorcycle cops in the USA always ride side by side?

'cuz they're really practicing for this

[aussie]

 [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]

I like the guy on the footpegs. Great view...

[aussie]

You think that is something - we are also the ONLY state in the union (and have been for the past few years) which does NOT have a mandatory primary seat-belt law for adults.   There is one for children/minors, however.   There was a push in April to pass one, as we have been sacrificing millions of $$ in federal highway funds for the lack of a primary seatbelt bill, but it was again voted down.  This one is kinda questionable, but alot of folks here refuse to have the government dictate what they must do, even if it does make them safer, they'd rather have the personal liberty to make that choice on their own (or not, I guess).

Hmm...South Australia has had seat belt laws for God knows how long and last year the Govt brought in a new law for smoking in a car. If you are caught smoking in a car with a child under 6 then there is an on the spot fine. 'Course you can blow smoke in the kid's face when at home.....ah well I guess it's a start - that and the cost of tobacco through taxes. When I was in the TX 6 years ago it cost $5 for a pouch of tobacco - it was $20 in Australia at the same time.

[steve hawkins]

Perhaps they are lonely and just need to be close enough to hold hands....

I personally will not ride in a group of more that say 4 riders.  Even then I am quite picky who I ride with.

Its not that I am special or something - far from it.  

I just like to ride with people I know -  and I like to ride comfortably within my limits.

I do not want to be waiting for a 'thrupenny bitter' (someone who has not learned how to corner smoothly yet) and I certainly do not want to be chasing someone and riding beyond my own capabilities.

So I generally say - 'see you there'.

Cheers

Steve H

[Darwin_R65]

Coz, they all watched CHiPS in their younger days.

Now I'm showing my age.

John

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I learned the very hard way not to follow too close, and NEVER let your attention wander...

And if you are leading someone else, check your mirrors BEFORE slowing down for a turn!  (they might have their attention wandering.... :-/)


I'll ride by myself or in groups of less than 4 when I get back on (soon, I hope!).

[raygun]

I have found Rob to be a very safe rider. or a very informed rider, when my 15 year old son and I met him at the boxerworks rally in 08'. My son and I left with Brad and his son Lindsey for a day ride, my son got over zealous and passed 4 bikes in a 1/4 mile on the R65. I had to cool his heels at the next stop. Although he did show me what the R65 was capable of (in excess of 100mph), but a dog shot out in front of him. And scared the life out of me. Then once we got within 70 miles of home he decided to take the leadand passed me, but not knowing the path I was planning. I turned off (after flashing lights and sounding horn) on a highway that would cut our time short. Well a 1/4 of a mile past the turn I made, he almost got sideswiped. This taught me a valuable lesson, if he takes lead follow. I thought I almost lost my Son.