I live in Denver and I am out for a ride today. The wind is blowing pretty strong and I am riding in rush hour traffic doing about 50mph on a 40 mph street that is 3 lanes wide on both sides. I am driving in the center of my lane when something catches my eye. I look over to my right and there is a guy on a Honda riding next to me with his front tire about at my seat. So I move over thinking this guy is in a rush and just wants to pass me. Nope this dinklewad wants to ride next to me in rush hour traffic and the wind blowing like 20-30+ mph. At the next light he sits next to me and comments on the wind. When the light turned green I just waited for him to go and just followed.

Question: is it proper etiquette to just pull up next to a rider you don’t know and just start riding side by side? Normally I would not care but riding in rush hour traffic with the wind blowing seemed a bit dangerous to me.

Hi.

Personally, If I do not know who the rider is, I will follow, but at a respectful safe distance, But I like to ride in a group If I see others going my way, and there not riding stupid (Breaking the law) or if they give me the "Evil Eye" Look, then I back way off.
It is always safer to ride in a group, the more bikes, the better they can see and hear you.(Assumoing there riding sane)
Wile he may have ben a bit close, I understand the why of it, he felt safer with two riders then one, but to try and ride you into a formation and put his wheel at your seat, that was not cool.

I would have waved him to take the lead, then followed him, which is what you did, so Good form!

If I were to meet up with him, I would Kindly point out that riding like that with your buddys, who you know and know you is ok, but since he doesn't know how you ride, and vise vera, this could lead to you both tangling up, and going down.

All in all, I would bet the real reason he pulled so close to you is to look at your bike, i get that all the time.

sorry , I won't do it again ;)

Not cool AND not safe. You're right, dinkelwad about covers it.

Not cool AND not safe. You're right, dinkelwad about covers it.

I second that.

Grayfeather.

It's not safe and does not follow proper group riding etiquette. Groups use staggered formation for a reason- you need your whole lane in case you gotta swerve to avoid something.
Don't assume the worst, this guy may be a new rider or unfamiliar with group riding, and he was trying to feel safe riding next to you. You did the right thing.

It's not legal here in Washington state :frownthre that is unless you're a M/C cop :rolleyes: I only side by side with a few close friends that I trust, the rest will get waved off reall quick :smoke

I prefer a staggered riding myself. Its safer and I don't need my handlebars to mate with anyones at 60+.

sorry , I won't do it again ;)
:laugh :laugh :laugh

dinkelwad about covers it.

Being the president of dinklewads america, I am offended by that so... you just take it back or I'll..........I'll.......tell ...somebody I will.

I don't have any problem with anyone running side by side with me , but it don't happen too much cause no one wants to go as slow as I do , also I stay to the middle of the road so if they come up along side me they get 3" straights blasting in their ears and no one stays there too long with that music

Side by side riding in heavy traffic is not a good idea, I was riding in traffic this past weekend with five and six lanes of cars and over the road trucks. More than once cars would change lanes right in front of me. If someone was riding at you side you would not have enough time to get out of the way of the duffess that acts like you are invisiable.

Many times I have been riding on country roads and come up to a stop sign or red light with another motorcyclest there, give them hello, nice day smile and sense they were there before you let them take the lead out of the light.

Ride safe but always RIDE!!!!