​Certified road guards

​The Minnesota Road Guard Field Guide ​outlines complete road guard requirements, route preparation information and road guard flagging positions. 

Requirements

• Carry valid road guard certificate at all times while road guarding.
• Carry cell phone, or other wireless communication device, to contact law enforcement in case of emergency.
• Carry proof of liability insurance that covers road guard's actions while controlling traffic in addition to carrying proof of liability insurance for the vehicle they are operating.
• Wear a class 2 or 3 ANSI/ISEA-approved high-visibility vest, jacket or shirt when acting as a flagger. (Class 2 or 3 ANSI/ISEA-approved pants are not required but highly recommended in low light or inclement weather conditions.)
• Use a retro-reflective Stop/Slow paddle that is at least 18 inches wide, and displays letters at least six inches tall, to control traffic. 

Road guard certificates are valid for four years.

Tips

• Present a professional appearance.
• Do not abandon your post for any reason until the group ride has cleared the intersection.
• Do not engage in extended conversations with motorists or lean on vehicles.
• Be polite but brief.
• Do not argue with a motorist who becomes confrontational. If this happens, be courteous and calm. Show your certificate with the state information and thank them for their patience.
• If a driver refuses to obey instructions, alert the group ride and other road guards if possible; then regain and maintain intersection control.
• Ensure that ride organizers have set up rally points for road guards to catch up to the ride if they need to be redeployed at other intersections. Road guards are not to engage in "leapfrogging" to get into position for their next deployment.
• Be alert for emergency vehicles. They have priority rights. Allow them to pass as quickly as possible.
• Do not attempt road guard flagging in construction zones.

 Why is your role important?

The lives of individuals participating in the ride, as well as the traveling public, depend on road guard(s). Traffic depends on road guards to alert them to slow down and stop when a group ride is approaching. Motorcyclists depend on the road guard to give the "all clear" when it is safe for the ride to proceed through an intersection.

Certified road guards may provide traffic control only for motorcycle group rides.

• A group ride is defined as an organized gathering of at least 20 motorcycles that follows a route where each statutory or home rule charter city on the route has been given advanced notice of the ride route. A ride must also be conducted in accordance with the guidelines and procedures outlined in the Motorcycle Road Guard Field Guide. (This will be handed out at road guard training.)

 Road guards are only allowed to control traffic during daytime hours.

• Daytime hours are defined as one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Road guards are not allowed to hold traffic for more than 10 minutes. Group ride organizers must have their rides platooned accordingly, so it does not take longer than 10 minutes to proceed through an intersection.​