Distress Signal

What is the distress signal?

If you run into trouble on a ride, Verified members can send a distress signal that shows a live flashing marker on the map for all riders nearby. The signal lasts 4 hours and can be extended. When help arrives, you can cancel it at any time.

This is not an emergency service. It does not contact the emergency services and cannot guarantee a response. If you are in a life-threatening situation, call the emergency number for the country you are in — in most of Europe this is 112; in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 999; in the United States and Canada, 911. See our Disclaimer.

Who can send a distress signal?

Verified members can send a distress signal. All riders, regardless of membership tier, can see distress signals on the map.

If you are not yet a Verified member, you can upgrade in Settings under Membership.

How long does a distress signal last? Can I extend it?

A distress signal lasts 4 hours. You will receive a notification 30 minutes before it expires, giving you the option to extend it for another 4 hours directly from the notification — without needing to open the app. You can also extend it at any time from the banner shown at the top of the screen while your signal is active.

There is no limit to how many times you can extend a signal.

What does a distress signal look like on the map?

A distress signal appears as a flashing red marker with a warning triangle. The marker pulses to draw attention.

If a rider's phone loses signal or the app is suspended in the background, the marker stops pulsing and shows "Last seen X minutes ago" — indicating the last known position rather than a live location.

What should I do if I see a distress signal on the map?

Head towards the rider if you are able to safely do so. The marker shows their location — if it shows "Last seen X minutes ago", treat that as their last known position.

If you reach the rider and believe the situation is life-threatening, call the emergency number for the country you are in — in most of Europe this is 112; in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 999; in the United States and Canada, 911.

The app does not coordinate responses between riders. If you are riding in a group and there are multiple signals on the map, split up so each signal has someone heading towards it.

Can I cancel my distress signal?

Yes, at any time. Tap Cancel on the banner shown at the top of the screen while your signal is active. If you close and reopen the app, you will be prompted to cancel or keep the signal.

Once cancelled, the marker is removed from the map immediately.

My distress signal expired — I didn't get a warning.

The app sends a notification 30 minutes before your signal expires. If your phone is in Do Not Disturb, low-power mode, or notifications are turned off for Moto Club Hub, you may not receive it. To avoid this, keep notifications enabled for the app while a signal is active. If your signal expires, you can send a new one immediately.

Will my distress signal keep updating my location?

Yes, as long as your phone has GPS signal and the app is running in the background. On iOS, the system may occasionally pause background location in low-power conditions. To maximise reliability, keep your screen on or open the app periodically. If your signal expires or stops updating, you can send a new one immediately.

Sending a distress signal does not contact the emergency services. If you are in a life-threatening situation, call the emergency number for the country you are in.

A distress marker shows "Last seen X minutes ago." What does that mean?

The marker updates with the rider's live position every few minutes. If the rider's phone loses signal, runs out of battery, or the app is suspended in the background, updates stop. The marker stays on the map at the last known position and shows how long ago it was updated. Treat this as the rider's last known location — they may have moved since then.

If you reach the rider and believe the situation is life-threatening, call the emergency number for the country you are in — in most of Europe this is 112; in the United Kingdom and Ireland, 999; in the United States and Canada, 911.

What if I see more than one distress signal on the map?

Try to help the rider nearest to you. If you are riding in a group, split up so that each signal has someone heading towards it. The app does not coordinate responses — each person acts independently.

If you reach a rider and believe the situation is life-threatening, call the emergency number for the country you are in.

Have a suggestion for the distress feature?

We would love to hear from you. Email us at motoclubhub@mod72.com with your feedback or ideas.