Rider Disclaimer & Waiver

Effective Date: July 26, 2026 Version: 2026.1

Important Notice

Please read this document carefully before participating in a SoulFire DMC motorcycle ride, MeetUp, or related activity. Motorcycling is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in property damage, serious bodily injury, permanent disability, or death. This document is posted to provide advance notice of the risks, responsibilities, limitations, and participation conditions associated with SoulFire DMC activities. By voluntarily choosing to participate in a SoulFire DMC activity after this notice has been made available, you acknowledge the risks described below and agree to these participation conditions to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. This posted notice does not prevent SoulFire DMC from requiring a separate written or electronic waiver for a particular ride or activity.

1. Nature of SoulFire Activities

SoulFire DMC is a small social motorcycle club based in Oakland, California. SoulFire rides and meetups are informal, community-oriented social gatherings intended to bring motorcycle enthusiasts together. They are not:

• Professional motorcycle tours
• Motorcycle training courses
• Races or competitive events
• Commercially guided excursions
• Professional mechanical, medical, transportation, or safety services

Unless expressly announced for a particular activity, SoulFire does not provide:

• Mechanical support
• Repair or towing services
• Medical services
• Traffic control
• Road closures
• Emergency transportation
• A guarantee that a sweep rider or support vehicle will be available

Participants are responsible for being prepared to operate independently and address their own transportation, mechanical, medical, and emergency needs.

2. “Ride Your Own Ride” Policy

SoulFire operates under a “Ride Your Own Ride” philosophy. Every rider independently operates and controls their own motorcycle. Each rider must make their own decisions about speed, following distance, lane position, intersections, turns, road hazards, weather conditions, and whether to begin or continue a ride. You must never ride faster, more aggressively, or beyond your personal comfort or skill level merely to keep up with the group or the rider ahead of you. You are responsible for:

• Riding within your own experience and ability
• Maintaining a safe following distance
• Navigating intersections and turns safely
• Obeying traffic signals and signs
• Responding appropriately to road and traffic conditions
• Leaving or discontinuing a ride when you believe conditions or the pace are unsafe for you

A group formation, route instruction, hand signal, or action taken by another rider does not relieve you of responsibility for your own motorcycle and riding decisions.

3. Voluntary Participation and Assumption of Risk

Participation in a SoulFire ride or activity is entirely voluntary. Motorcycling involves known and unknown risks, including but not limited to:

• Collisions with cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, fixed objects, or other participants
• Loss of control
• Sudden stops or changes in traffic
• Mistakes or poor judgment by other drivers or riders
• Mechanical failure
• Tire failure or loss of traction
• Improper maintenance or equipment defects
• Gravel, sand, oil, debris, potholes, uneven pavement, construction zones, railroad tracks, and other road hazards
• Wet, slippery, damaged, poorly marked, or obstructed roads
• Rain, fog, wind, heat, cold, smoke, low visibility, or changing weather
• Unfamiliar routes, missed turns, separation from the group, or navigation errors
• Fatigue, dehydration, illness, physical limitations, or impaired concentration
• Delayed access to medical, mechanical, or emergency assistance
• Serious injury, permanent disability, property loss, or death

By choosing to participate, you acknowledge that these and other risks may arise even when reasonable precautions are taken. You knowingly and voluntarily accept responsibility for the risks associated with your participation.

4. Rider and Passenger Responsibilities

Every rider is responsible for confirming that they and their motorcycle satisfy all legal and safety requirements.

Licensing

A rider must possess a current and legally valid driver’s license with the motorcycle endorsement or classification required to operate the motorcycle being ridden.

Registration and Insurance

The motorcycle must be properly registered and insured as required by applicable law. Each rider is responsible for their own insurance coverage, including motorcycle, medical, liability, uninsured-motorist, and property coverage.

Motorcycle Condition

Each rider is responsible for determining that their motorcycle is street-legal, properly maintained, and reasonably safe to operate. This includes checking items such as:

• Tires and tire pressure
• Brakes
• Lights and signals
• Mirrors
• Fluids
• Controls
• Fuel
• Battery condition
• Secured luggage and accessories

SoulFire members and ride organizers do not inspect or certify participating motorcycles.

Protective Equipment

A properly fitted and securely fastened U.S. DOT-compliant motorcycle safety helmet must be worn whenever required by applicable law. Motorcycle-specific protective equipment—including eye protection, gloves, a protective jacket, long protective pants, and over-the-ankle riding footwear—is strongly encouraged. Each participant is responsible for selecting and using protective equipment appropriate for the activity and conditions.

Physical and Mental Readiness

Each rider is responsible for determining whether they are physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of participating safely. No person should ride while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, medication, fatigue, illness, emotional distress, or any other condition that may reduce their ability to operate safely.

Passengers

A rider carrying a passenger is responsible for:

• Confirming that carrying the passenger is lawful and appropriate
• Providing required passenger equipment
• Ensuring that the motorcycle is designed and equipped to carry a passenger
• Explaining safe passenger behavior
• Operating within the motorcycle’s load and handling limitations

Passengers voluntarily accept the inherent risks associated with riding on a motorcycle and must follow applicable safety requirements.

5. Traffic Laws and Independent Operation

Every participant must obey all applicable traffic laws, including:

• Speed limits
• Traffic lights and stop signs
• Lane markings
• Right-of-way rules
• Passing restrictions
• Helmet requirements
• Licensing, registration, and insurance requirements

SoulFire does not authorize anyone to violate traffic laws. You must not blindly follow another rider through an intersection, traffic signal, stop sign, turn, lane change, or passing maneuver. You are independently responsible for determining when it is safe and lawful to proceed.

6. Routes, Directions, and Event Information

Routes, maps, calendar entries, Meetup listings, departure times, destinations, rest stops, and other event information are provided for general planning and convenience. SoulFire does not guarantee that:

• A route is free from hazards
• A road remains open
• Directions are complete or accurate
• A destination or rest stop is available
• Weather or traffic conditions will remain suitable
• Every rider will remain with the group
• Calendar or navigation applications will update correctly
• A ride will occur exactly as announced

Ride leaders and organizers may change, shorten, reroute, postpone, or cancel an activity because of weather, traffic, road closures, safety concerns, mechanical issues, organizer availability, or other circumstances. Each participant should be prepared to navigate independently and safely return home if separated from the group.

7. Medical and Emergency Responsibility

SoulFire does not provide medical care or guarantee immediate access to emergency assistance. Each participant is responsible for:

• Carrying appropriate identification
• Carrying emergency-contact information
• Carrying necessary medication
• Maintaining appropriate medical insurance
• Paying their own medical, ambulance, transportation, towing, repair, lodging, and other expenses

If an emergency occurs, SoulFire members or other participants may attempt to contact emergency services or provide reasonable assistance. However, no participant should rely on SoulFire as a provider of medical or emergency services.

8. Release and Waiver of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, by voluntarily choosing to participate after this notice has been made available, you assume the inherent risks of the activity and release and waive claims against:

• SoulFire DMC
• Its officers and members
• Ride leaders and coordinators
• Event organizers
• Volunteers
• Website and calendar contributors
• Persons acting on SoulFire’s behalf in connection with the activity

This release applies to claims arising from:

Personal Injury or Death

Bodily injury, medical expenses, disability, emotional distress, or death occurring during or arising from participation in the activity.

Property Loss or Damage

Loss, theft, or damage involving a motorcycle, vehicle, helmet, riding gear, luggage, electronics, or other personal property.

Ordinary Negligence

Claims arising from the ordinary negligence of a released party in planning, describing, routing, organizing, coordinating, or conducting an activity. This release is intended to apply whether a risk is known, unknown, anticipated, or unanticipated, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

9. Limitations of the Release

Nothing in this document is intended to waive or release responsibility for:

• Gross negligence
• Reckless misconduct
• Willful or intentional misconduct
• Fraud
• A responsibility that cannot legally be waived
• A right or remedy that applicable law does not permit a participant to release

If any portion of this document is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions are intended to remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

10. No Guarantee of Participation

A Meetup response, calendar subscription, contact-form submission, social-media response, arrival at a meeting location, or prior participation does not guarantee that a person may participate in a particular activity. SoulFire may decline or discontinue a person’s participation when organizers reasonably believe that the person:

• Does not satisfy applicable ride requirements
• Presents a safety concern
• Is impaired
• Is behaving unlawfully or dangerously
• Is operating an apparently unsafe motorcycle
• Is harassing or threatening another person
• Is disrupting the activity
• Is unwilling to follow reasonable safety instructions

Each rider remains responsible for deciding whether participating is appropriate and safe for them.

11. Posted Notice and Separate Agreements

This document is publicly posted so prospective participants have an opportunity to review SoulFire’s safety expectations, risk disclosures, and participation conditions before attending an activity. SoulFire may later require a separate handwritten signature, electronic acknowledgment, event-specific waiver, safety briefing, or other participation agreement. If an event-specific document is presented, that document will apply together with this posted notice. If an event-specific provision directly conflicts with this general posted notice, the event-specific provision will control for that activity to the extent permitted by law.

12. Binding Effect

To the extent permitted by applicable law, this waiver is intended to apply to the participant and the participant’s heirs, estate, personal representatives, executors, administrators, and assigns.

13. Governing Law

This document is governed by the laws of the State of California. If a provision is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, it will be limited or removed only to the extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue to apply.

14. Contact Information

Questions regarding this posted rider notice may be directed to:
SoulFire DMC
Oakland, California
Email: info@soulfiredmc.com
Website: SoulFireDMC.com