How to be a safe rider
2005 @ Road and Trafic Authority NSW, Australia http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/
To be a safe rider you need to be pro-active
and ride defensively. This means responding to situations before they become problems. For example, you don't wait for a car
to turn in front of you before you start braking. Prepare your brakes when you first observe the car approaching the intersection.
To be proactive you need to manage two things 'sight and space'. Safe riders use
3 key techniques to manage 'sight and space': Scanning, Setting up and Buffering.
Scanning
Scanning is constantly moving your eyes to gain information about
the riding environment.
Look in the distance, check the road surface, scan to the sides
of the road and then glance at your mirrors. Keep your eyes moving, gathering information from all around you.
In corners, point your chin and shoulder in the direction of travel
and scan through your intended path. If you can’t see at least 5 seconds in front of your motorcycle you must slow down.
Who knows what’s over the crest or around the bend?
Setting up
Setting up your brakes is the best technique you have of taking
control of potential hazards.
When you see a hazard or potential situation ahead, you should 'set up'
by applying a light pressure to your brakes. Setting up has 3 key benefits.
It prepares the rider, you have recognised the hazard and decided on a course of action. If needed, you will be
able to respond quickly and with more control.
- It prepares the motorcycle, free play in the brakes is taken up, the suspension is compressed,
the contact patch of the tyres is flattening, the motorcycle is ready for hard braking if needed.
- It prepares the vehicle behind, you set up and your brake light comes on, you alerted the driver
behind that you may be about to brake hard.
You will need at least 3 seconds to react and brake if a problem arises.
Set up for any situation where there is potential for something to enter the space 3 seconds in front of your motorcycle.
Buffering
Positioning your motorcycle to create space (a buffer zone)
from a potential hazard. Gently moving away from hazards has many advantages, you give yourself more time to respond, more
space to protect you and improve the chances of the driver seeing you.
Buffering should be smooth and well planned, not harsh or erratic.
Sometimes in order to create space from a hazard your vision may be reduced or you may move onto a poor surface. Space is
a priority, if you have to compromise anything, be sure to slow down.
Right Hand Curve
A. Start out wide for vision
B. Stay away from the ‘head on zone’ until you see
there are no oncoming cars
C. Finish tight to give you space for error
Left Hand Curve
D. Start out wide for vision
E. Move away from the ‘head on zone’
F. Finish tight to give yourself space for error
NOTE: Less than 5 seconds vision SLOW DOWN
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