Official Group Rules

Every member is expected to:

• respect the other members of the group;
• behave in a civil and cooperative way;
• avoid offensive, aggressive, discriminatory or deliberately provocative behaviour;
• respect the organisational decisions made by the administrators;
• help keep the atmosphere positive and true to the spirit of the group.

Any personal issues between members must be dealt with privately or with the help of the administrators, avoiding public arguments that could upset the harmony of the group.

The Bruumers was not created simply as a WhatsApp group, but as a motorcycling group whose purpose is to organise rides, trips, rallies and events.

Real participation in the life of the group is therefore expected.

Prolonged, purely passive membership, without taking part in activities or interacting with other members, may be taken into account by the administrators when deciding whether a member stays in the group.

Members are not required to take part in every activity, but belonging to The Bruumers must show in practice through taking part in the events the group organises.

Every new member is expected to take part in at least one of the first rides organised after they join.

Unless there are good reasons, communicated to the administrators in advance, this must happen by the very next available ride.

Not taking part, without letting the administrators know or without a valid reason, may lead to exclusion from the group.

The purpose of this rule is to avoid purely virtual members and to let the group get to know every new member in person.

The group holds The Bruumers Official Annual Rally, organised by the administrators.

The rally is one of the most important moments for bringing the group together and for its identity.

All members are therefore strongly encouraged to take part, as far as their personal, family and work commitments allow.

The WhatsApp group is one of the group's official tools for communication and organisation.

It may be used for:

• organising rides;
• announcements about trips and events;
• sharing itineraries;
• practical updates;
• content about motorcycling and travel;
• photos and videos of our activities;
• ideas and suggestions about the life of the group.

Please avoid:

• spam;
• repeatedly posting content unrelated to the group's purpose;
• long personal discussions;
• provocative behaviour;
• messages or content that could needlessly create conflict between members.

Announcements about:

• times;
• meeting points;
• routes;
• changes to the itinerary;
• cancellations;
• special conditions for the ride;
• recommended gear;
• fuel stops;

posted by the administrators or by the appointed organisers must be treated as official announcements.

Every participant is expected to read them before departure.

A departure time is given for every ride.

All participants are expected to be at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

This time is used to:

• check who is there;
• hold the briefing;
• sort out any organisational issues;
• set up satnavs and communication devices;
• assign the lead rider and back marker roles;
• let the group leave on time.

The departure time must therefore be understood as the time the group actually moves off, not the time to arrive at the meeting point.

Unless the organisers decide otherwise for specific reasons, the group is not required to delay departure for individual participants who arrive late.

A compulsory briefing is held before every ride.

The purpose of the briefing is to give all participants the practical information they need for the ride to go safely.

The briefing covers at least:

• the planned route;
• any changes to the published itinerary;
• the finishing point;
• scheduled stops;
• any fuel stops;
• any special conditions along the route;
• who will be the lead rider;
• who will be the back marker;
• any split into smaller groups;
• how we will communicate during the ride;
• the main safety rules.

Any participants with:

• a limited fuel range;
• technical problems;
• particular needs;
• no satnav;
• difficulty finding their way along the route;
• a need to head home early;

must tell the organisers before departure.

Attending the briefing is an integral part of the ride.

For every ride, one or more members are appointed to organise and manage the group.

In particular, the following roles are assigned:

Lead rider

Their job is to:

• keep a suitable pace;
• follow the agreed route;
• regularly check that the group is staying together;
• find safe places for any stops;
• coordinate with the back marker;
• avoid sudden acceleration that could needlessly split up the group.

Back marker

Their job is to:

• make sure no participant is left on their own;
• help any members in difficulty;
• tell the lead rider about any problems;
• stop, when necessary and when it is safe to do so, with a member who has a technical problem or any other difficulty.

The appointed members may swap the lead rider and back marker roles during the ride.

Whenever possible, the lead rider and the back marker should have a direct means of communication.

No member of the group must ever be left behind on their own.

If a participant slows down, has a technical problem, needs to stop or runs into any kind of difficulty, at least one of the appointed members must check on the situation.

The rest of the group will be kept informed and managed by the organisers.

This does not mean that the whole group has to stop immediately on the carriageway.

The priority is always to reach a safe place where the group can regroup if needed.

Any need to stop during the ride must be communicated, whenever possible, through the communication system the group is using.

The message must reach at least:

• the lead rider;
• the back marker;
• or one of the administrators on the ride.

In an emergency that makes it impossible to warn anyone beforehand, the back marker or the rider immediately behind must report the situation.

Braking sharply or stopping suddenly on the carriageway just to regroup is forbidden.

The group may only stop together in a place that is safe and does not get in the way of traffic.

Every rider is personally responsible for:

• their own speed;
• their own line;
• their own overtaking;
• keeping their own safe distances;
• the condition of their own motorcycle;
• obeying the Highway Code.

Riding in a group is never a justification for a manoeuvre that an individual rider does not consider safe.

No member should ever feel obliged to copy a manoeuvre made by the rider in front.

Everyone rides according to their own abilities and the conditions at that moment.

Every participant must keep a suitable distance from the rider in front.

Tailgating other members is forbidden.

The distance must be increased in case of:

• rain;
• a wet or dirty road surface;
• poor visibility;
• traffic;
• high speeds;
• a broken-up road surface;
• unfamiliar roads;
• riding at night;
• bad weather.

Every rider must leave enough space to brake or make an emergency manoeuvre without involving the other members.

Every rider must keep a position that ensures:

• a clear view;
• a safe distance;
• room for evasive manoeuvres;
• being seen by other vehicles.

Riding side by side for any length of time is forbidden.

It is also forbidden to ride persistently right next to another member, on their right or their left, in a way that restricts their room to manoeuvre.

The group's formation must never become so rigid that it stops an individual rider from choosing the safest line.

On motorway stretches every member must:

• keep a suitable safe distance;
• avoid tailgating the rider in front;
• avoid riding alongside other riders for long periods;
• stay out of other vehicles' blind spots;
• avoid staying to the right of the rider in front for long periods;
• change lanes gradually and predictably;
• use their indicators;
• check their mirrors and blind spot before every move.

Overtaking on the right (undertaking), or any other manoeuvre that breaks the Highway Code, is forbidden.

Overtaking must be done individually, and only once each rider has personally checked that they can complete the manoeuvre safely.

The group keeps to the pace set by the lead rider.

The speed must suit:

• the speed limits in force;
• the traffic;
• the weather;
• the type of road;
• the riders' level of experience;
• the overall safety of the group.

The lead rider must avoid needless acceleration or constant changes of speed that cause a concertina effect along the column.

The group must never ride at a pace that forces less experienced participants to ride beyond the limits within which they feel safe.

On minor roads and routes with bends, changes of gradient, junctions or limited visibility, every member must keep their line within their own lane.

When riding through bends, the centre line must never be crossed.

Your line must always allow for the possible presence of:

• cars;
• motorcycles;
• bicycles;
• pedestrians;
• farm vehicles;
• obstacles;

coming the other way or already on the road.

On winding roads, overtaking other members of the group is forbidden:

• on a bend;
• when approaching a bend;
• at junctions;
• when visibility is not good enough;
• when the manoeuvre could take the rider in front by surprise.

If another member of the group is overtaken on a suitable stretch, this must be done:

• in complete safety;
• leaving plenty of room to the side;
• without forcing the rider being overtaken to change their line;
• without aggressive or sudden manoeuvres.

Every participant is personally responsible for checking that it is safe to cross a junction.

The fact that the rider in front has made a manoeuvre does not mean that the rider behind can make it safely too.

The group must not force other road users to stop so that the whole column can get through together.

When the group gets split up at a junction or a fork in the road, members must not raise their pace dangerously in an attempt to catch up.

Members who want to ride at a faster pace than the one set for the group may, after agreeing it with the organisers, break away from the group and ride at their own pace.

From that moment on, they ride entirely under their own responsibility.

They must, however:

• know the route;
• preferably have a satnav;
• know the next meeting point;
• not interfere with the safety of the rest of the group;
• not encourage other members to ride faster than their abilities allow.

No participant should feel obliged to speed up to avoid holding the group back.

The overall pace must suit all participants.

If the differences in pace are particularly marked, the organisers may temporarily split the group into smaller groups that share:

• the itinerary;
• the stops;
• the meeting points;
• the final destination.

Every participant must turn up with a motorcycle in a fit condition for the road.

Before every ride it is good practice to check at least:

• tyre pressures;
• tyre condition;
• engine oil level;
• coolant, where applicable;
• brakes;
• final drive (chain, belt or shaft);
• lights;
• indicators;
• fuel range;
• any faults with the bike.

It is the owner's responsibility to make sure that the motorcycle meets the legal requirements for use on the road, is properly insured and is technically fit for the planned route.

Every participant must arrive at the meeting point with a full tank.

Refuelling must be done before the meeting time.

The group is not required to delay departure for avoidable individual fuel stops.

On particularly long routes, fuel stops for the whole group may be planned.

Wearing proper technical motorcycle clothing is strongly recommended.

In particular:

• an approved helmet;
• gloves;
• a riding jacket with armour;
• suitable trousers;
• motorcycle boots;
• any additional protection.

On official rides it is considered good practice to wear the official The Bruumers shirt or kit, when the weather and the necessary protective gear allow.

Safety always comes before wearing the group's colours.

The route of each ride is published in advance on:

• the official website;
• the WhatsApp group;
• a GPX track;
• any other group channels.

Every participant is expected to look at the route before departure.

It is strongly recommended to have:

• a GPS satnav;
• a smartphone with a navigation app;
• the GPX track or equivalent, when provided.

Having a lead rider does not excuse participants from knowing, at least roughly, the itinerary and the destination.

Anyone without navigation tools must tell the organisers before departure.

That participant must:

• stay within the group;
• not overtake the lead rider;
• pay particular attention at changes of direction;
• stay in contact with at least one other member of the group;
• follow the instructions given at the briefing.

If a member loses touch with the group:

1. they must not speed up dangerously in an attempt to catch up;
2. they must follow the planned route on their satnav, if they have one;
3. they must contact the group as soon as possible, and only when it is safe to do so;
4. they must head for the next agreed meeting point.

The lead rider must not make U-turns or sudden manoeuvres to go back for a missing rider.

The organisers will coordinate regrouping at the first place where it is safe to do so.

In the event of a breakdown:

• the member must report the problem immediately;
• the back marker or an appointed member will stop, when possible and when it is safe to do so;
• the rest of the group will ride on to the first available safe place;
• the organisers will coordinate whatever help is needed.

The safety of the column comes before the need to stop all participants immediately.

In the event of an accident or a medical emergency:

• the first priority is to make the scene safe;
• the emergency services must be called when necessary;
• any manoeuvres that could create further risks must be avoided;
• the other members must follow the instructions of the organisers or of any authorities on the scene.

Participants who are not directly involved must avoid gathering on the carriageway or getting in the way of the emergency services.

On official rides, any conduct that could put the following at risk is forbidden:

• your own safety;
• the safety of other members;
• the safety of other road users;
• the smooth running of the ride;
• the image of the group.

The following, for example, have no place on official rides:

• impromptu races or competitions;
• riders goading each other;
• deliberately risky overtaking;
• unpredictable manoeuvres within the group;
• speeds clearly unsuited to the road conditions;
• aggressive riding towards other road users;
• showing off at the expense of safety;
• any conduct that forces other members to take evasive action.

Taking part in the group's motorcycling activities in a physical or mental state that is not compatible with safe riding is not allowed.

Riding under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that impairs the ability to ride is forbidden.

At the end of the ride, every member is free to make their own way home.

Anyone who decides to:

• leave the group early;
• change their route;
• not ride home with the group;

must tell the organisers or the other participants.

At the end of every ride, each participant is expected to post on the WhatsApp group that they have got home.

This lets the organisers and the other members know that everyone has finished the journey safely.

The administrators' role is to:

• organise and coordinate activities;
• make sure the rules are applied;
• look after the atmosphere in the group;
• step in when behaviour is not compatible with the rules;
• decide on members joining and staying in the group;
• appoint the ride leaders for each ride;
• organise the Official Annual Rally.

If the rules are not respected, the administrators may, depending on how serious the behaviour is and whether it is repeated:

• issue a warning;
• ask for an explanation;
• ask the member to change their behaviour;
• temporarily exclude a member from a particular activity;
• remove the member from the group.

In the case of particularly dangerous or deliberate behaviour, or behaviour incompatible with the group's principles, exclusion may be immediate.

Being part of The Bruumers means sharing a passion, a journey and an experience together.

It does not mean proving who is the fastest rider.

• We arrive prepared.
• We set off together.
• We ride with respect for one another.
• No one gets left behind.
• Everyone rides within their own abilities.
• The goal is for everyone to get home safely.

• Each rider's safety comes before the group's pace.
• The group's safety comes before the ride plan.
• Respect for other road users comes before having fun.
• Common sense comes before any written rule.