Online Safety

Protect Your Account

We highly recommend that you pick a strong password for your Freedom Machine account. Always be careful when logging into your account from a mobile device that is not your own. Please be aware that Freedom Machine will never send you an email asking for your username and password information - if you do receive an email asking for your Freedom Machine account information, report it immediately to us.

Protect Your Personal Information

Never share personal information, such as your social security number, home or work address, or details about your daily routine with members or people you don’t know.

Never Send Money or Share Financial Information

Never send money, especially over wire transfer, even if the person claims to be in an emergency. Wiring money is like sending cash — it’s nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace where the money went. Never share information that could be used to access your financial accounts. If another member asks you for money, report it to us immediately.

Report All Suspicious and Offensive Behavior

You know when someone’s crossed the line and when they do, we want to know about it. Block and report anyone that violates our terms. Here are some examples of violations:

• Requests for money or donations

• Underage members

• Harassment, threats, and offensive messages

• Inappropriate or harmful behavior during or after meeting in person

• Fraudulent profiles

• Spam or solicitation including links to commercial websites or attempts to sell products or services

You can report any concerns about suspicious behavior from any member profile page or chat message. For more information, check out our Community Guidelines.

Meeting In Person

Don’t Be In A Rush To Accept Invites.

If you get an invite to join a Meetup or go on an Instant Ride, don’t feel obliged to accept. Take your time and get to know the other member or members that will be attending. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to screen for any red flags or personal dealbreakers. Once you are comfortable you can accept and always remember you can cancel afterwards too.

Meet at Public Location and Stay in Public.

We recommend that all meeting points for Meetups and Instant Rides are in a populated, public place. The meeting point should never be at your home, another member’s home, or any other private location. If the invite to a Meetup or Instant Ride is at a private location, simply do not accept the invite.

During the Meetup or Instant Ride, it is advised that any stops off during the route are also in a populated, public place.

Tell Friends and Family About Your Meetup.

Before you attend a Meetup or Instant Ride, you should tell a friend or family member of your plans, including when and where you’re going. Always have your mobile phone fully charged and with you at all times during the Meetup or Instant Ride.

Guidance to Riding Safely.

We want you to be safe and other members to be safe too. During a Meetup or Instant Ride, ensure you do not put yourself or other members, or the general public at risk by performing illegal stunts, manoeuvres or generally riding dangerously. Each rider/pillion participating in Meetup or Instant Ride does so at their own risk.

At all times the primary consideration while riding a motorcycle is safety.  At no time should the safety of riders, pillions, or any third party be compromised for any reason. It always remains the responsibility of all riders to exercise their own judgement about each and every course of action they take. Each rider is responsible for their own safety, their own actions and any consequences those actions may have on themselves or others.

Each rider is required to ride within the law and must not break the law in terms of speeding or road traffic regulations and in particular they must not be in control of their motorcycle whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Points to consider on a Meetup or Instant Ride:

1. Conduct a Pre-ride Meeting

Before you leave your starting point, preparation will allow everyone to understand how to get to your final destination or any stopping point along the way. Safe arrival is the primary goal, so deciding who leads is critical safety. The leader should know the route and that leader should be able to explain it to all members, show it on a map, and describe directions for the route.

It’s always advisable to provide directions and a visual map of the route in case anyone separates from the group. It’s always a good idea if the leader has a motorcycle GPS to make sure the whole group is going in the right direction.

2. Decide On The Leader

The leader of the riding group should be one of the most, if not the most, experienced riders in the group - this is not always the member that organised the Meetup or Instant Ride . The leader will be the first person to encounter other traffic going in the same direction or oncoming. Therefore, they should know how to respond to other drivers on the road and safely guide the other members through any situation the group comes across on their journey. 

The tail rider, or the last in the group, also needs to be more experienced as traffic conditions could separate them. They can help other members catch up and navigate traffic safely without losing other group members.

3. Ride Prepared

Safety is a primary concern for the Meetup or Instant Ride. In larger groups of members at a Meetup or Instant Ride, it is recommended someone in the group carries a first-aid kit and a tool kit if possible. Preference is that the same rider does not carry both in case that particular rider is separated from the group for any reason. Every rider should carry a fully charged mobile phone in case something comes up during the ride.

4. Consider the Weather Conditions
When you’re preparing to go for a ride, check the weather. If heavy rain, snow or ice is predicted, reconsider the Meetup or Instant Ride. If you absolutely must ride in the rain, don’t ride right after the storm starts. When rain first hits the road, it brings up oil and other residue, making the road extremely slippery. If you wait a while, the rain will wash away the oil and slick stuff it brought up. Give the rain time to clear the road for you. Then, when you’re on your way, be extra cautious. Go slowly, leave plenty of space for stopping, and if the weather gets worse, stop and wait it out.

5. Ride in a Staggered Position

During the ride, the group will encounter straight sections of road and curvy sections. In these situations, motorcycle riding formations are a crucial factor to ensure safety. Riders behind the leader should stagger the formation accordingly on straight sections of a road. Each member should ride in a single-file line approximately two seconds apart in a curvy section of the road.

You should adjust the spacing and lane position for safety, giving each member time to adjust to any other traffic and changing conditions. Avoid riding side by side, as it doesn’t allow either rider the option to move carefully within the lane to avoid other traffic or road debris. 

In conditions with limited visibility or other constraints, consider which formations (staggered or single-file) will provide the safest condition for the riders and choose it accordingly.

6. Overtake Safely

There will come a time when one must pass a vehicle traveling in the lane in front of them. To safely pass the vehicle, do so one motorcycle at a time. The leader will go first, but each rider successive will need to position their motorcycles appropriately before starting the overtaking manoeuvre. Riders behind the one making the pass will need to adjust their lane position to keep a following proper distance, and in the correct pattern in case the passing opportunity dries up.

Suppose a portion of the group is only able to make the pass. In that case, the remaining riders must adjust their position to assume the correct riding pattern until the next passing opportunity presents itself. As each member passes the vehicle in question, they need to keep their speed up and allow a gap to form behind them and the vehicle they passed. This gap is necessary for the next rider to safely pass and rejoin the lane at a safe distance from the vehicle.

7. Be Mindful of Skills of All Riders & Ride Within Your Own Skills

Every group will have a variable riding experience. The key is to keep each rider comfortable and safe, so having the least experience toward the middle of the pack is recommended. This position will allow them a visual guide from riders in the front to indicate oncoming items to note (like traffic and road conditions). More experienced riders behind them will be able to keep aggressive drivers from disturbing them from the rear also.

The lead and tail riders should have the most experience as they can adjust to traffic the best and protect the other riders from traffic and road debris. Your most novice riders should also determine when and where to take breaks.

8. Use Hand Signals

All group members should know the essential hand signals used during group riding. Communicating through signals during a ride (when voice discussion is impossible) will allow each member to stay in sync with what is happening around them. Note that these signals should be a quick discussion point and possibly a show and tell during the pre-ride meeting. Ensure all riders know the signals and their meanings.

9. Have a Plan if You Get Separated

Being separated in a group ride will occasionally happen. It may occur in heavy traffic with other motorists or in an urban setting with traffic lights. The first thing to remember is not to panic. In your pre-journey meeting, you already discussed the route everyone will follow. 

10. Ride in the Right Gear
We’ve all seen people on motorcycles in shorts and flip flops. Those people are not being safe. Since a motorcycle offers little protection in a crash, what riders wear is part of the crash protection system. Even if you aren’t in a crash with another vehicle on your bike, you could simply lose control and lay the bike down. In that situation, you’ll be sliding along on asphalt. That’s not something you want to do in shorts. Therefore wear the right motorcycle safety gear on Meetups and Instant Rides.

Do Not Consume Alcohol or Drugs Before / During a Meetup or Instant Ride.

As you will be riding a motorcycle before and during a Meetup or Instant Ride, you are therefore in control and operation of a motor vehicle. It is against the law to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when operating / riding a motorcycle.

If another member tries to pressure you to use drugs or drink at Meetup or Instant Ride, please refuse and report the member to use immediately.

Don’t Leave Personal Items Unattended.

It is recommended that you keep your motorcycling clothing, helmet, phone, purse, wallet, and anything containing personal information on you at all times during a Meetup or Instant Ride.

If You Feel Uncomfortable, Leave

It’s okay to leave an Meetup or Instant Ride early if you’re feeling uncomfortable. If your instincts are telling you something is off or you feel unsafe, simply leave on your motorcycle when it is safe to do so.