Florida statutes 316.123(2)(a) covers this, and it says each vehicle must stop at a point closest to the intersection where they have visibility when there is no stop line or crosswalk. So, if a cop is watching I'd say everyone has to stop individually. I have so far been unable to find anything giving and exception to a caravan (except funeral procession).

But I feel if it is a small group, they should all be allowed to go at the same time.

I'll keep researching Fl. statutes and see if I can come up with something better.

 

Lots of rides have blockers just like a parade does to keep the ride moving and not get split up. It isn't legal but mostly if it keeping the ride in one pack the cops I have talked about say they don't mind it. But no creating your own traffic laws isn't legal.

 

I'm not fond of group rides for a variety of reasons, this being one of them. The laws are pretty universal. A stop sign means stop!!!!!!! Either even with the sign or at the stop line. It comes down to this. You are responsible for your vehicles line of travel, if you choose to run the stop, simply to stay with a pack that you know the destination of, then you should be able to live or not live with the consequences!!

 

Just one more tidbit. A full stop at a stop sign is when the bike is stopped completely and both feet are touching the ground not just one. You can get a ticket for comming to a complete stop and only having one foot on the ground. Takes a complete jerk leo to pull you over and ticket you for this but he can. Don't ask how I know!!!

 

Here in Ca I believe it can be one foot but must be on the ground for three seconds and like you said only a jerk would give a ticket for that.

 

What about a trike? I don't put any feet down.

Legally stop does mean STOP, but in the real world, piasspj, has the closest answer.

What I do is go with the environment. If it's heavy traffic - stop, no traffic - slow down and then proceed.

Unless it's a huge group most people will indicate to the group that they will wait and let the whole group go through, BUT you have to watch the other vehicles at the intersection and see if they are OK with that - sometimes not so much - SO YOU HAVE TO RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE.

I like this thread, so I'm going to start another one on groups making left hand turns, so I don't hijack this one -stay tuned.

 

Correct, and assuming it's a group of say 4 bikes, that all come to a complete stop in a 2x2 formation, at an intersection where all riders have clear visibility and no crossing traffic, they can all proceed together.

There is no requirement to stop AT a Stop sign. You must either stop at a Stop Line if one exists, or if none exists, stop where you have visibility of cross traffic, prior to entering the intersection of course.

This of course pertains to FL statutes, others may vary.

 

If a group ride feels they need to have intersections blocked, they need to call the popo and request it. If deemed a reasonable request, the riders will be accommodated. I have blocked crossroads for many charity rides.
But, for some self-styled Hondo(s) to just ride out and block all other legally proceeding traffic, risking not only their safety, but that of others, is the height of stupidity.
I came across one such group and pulled over the "blockers" at the intersection of two state highways, after a semi-driver just about had to put it in a ditch to avoid the total cluster that was this group ride. In fact, one of the blockers, seeing the semi coming up fast toward the group, just gunned his bike out of the way. He just abandoned everyone: beginning riders wives, sisters, girlfriends, those foolish enough to entrust their safety to some jerk who was not really looking after them.
After giving them "the lecture" I allowed them to proceed without issuing any citations. They promised not to block any more intersections and were on their way. I called ahead to a patrol unit and had them observe the next intersection of two highways some miles up the road.
Sure enough, the Super Blockers were at it again. I had them detained until I arrived. They were quite sheepish about their behavior this time, and quite upset after the observing officer started writing multiple citations each, for various traffic violations. Some people just make life hard for themselves. Idiots.
I ride. I ride in groups. I like for others to ride, and in groups. I will always allow several riders to proceed together as one unit through an intersection so that they may stay together. But, assaulting an intersection and placing others safety at risk, and virtually holding other traffic "hostage" while 80+ motorcycles go through is not something most of us will tolerate. Just give a call before the ride and we'll be happy to help out!
Man, do I feel better, now.

 

one club i was invited to ride with had two blockers and everyone rolled through at one illegal as hell but it worked lol

 

So, I assume that you're a LEO and the gist of your story is that sometimes breaking the law is OK and sometimes it's not?

Regardless, there are usually 4 to 6 riders in our group and we ALWAYS pull out of stop signs together. We've been together long enough to know everyone's capabilities and are comfortable with doing it this way. We've never been hassled or fined for it. With larger groups (other than large escorted) we'll often "block" if needed, so that everyone can get through as a group. It's rare that we ride in a group that big, but still, that's how we do it. Illegal? I assume so, but again, we've never been stopped or fined for it and would accept the consequences if we were.

I think something to consider is that 90% of the time, groups ride on back roads that aren't heavily traveled (at least we do). On major roads, it's a different story, but certainly not an every-man-for-himself scenario. I do believe that in general, there is safety in numbers and vehicles are more likely to avoid a group of riders than 1 or 2 pulling out individually every few seconds.