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Unit I - Introduction to Motorcycles |
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Crash Chain |
Section A: Types of Motorcycles Motorcycles have been around since the late 1800's, and they have been used for all sorts of riding activities. There are three basic types of motorcycles: street, dual-purpose, and off-highway. Street motorcycles are designed for use on public streets and highways. They have all the equipment for safe and enjoyable street operation. Dual motorcycles are used either on the street or off-highway. Off-highway motorcycles are not street legal, and are typically used for recreational or competitive use. Each type of motorcycle has a variety of styles and sizes, and you can have fun shopping to determine which one is right for you. To see the different types of motorcycles, click the links below:
Section B: Risk Awareness Riding a motorcycle involves some risks not encountered when driving cars and trucks. Motorcycles do not have the stability of cars because they must be balanced, and motorcycles leave you more vulnerable in a crash because there is less protection. Motorcycles are not as readily seen as cars, trucks, or other motor vehicles because of their size. Other motorists, particularly those that don't ride a motorcycle, may not be looking for motorcycles in traffic. Many motorcyclists say they are better, more alert car drivers because they have learned to be more attentive in traffic. Not al risks to a motorcyclist are due to the motorcyclist's own behavior. While it is possible to reduce much of your own risk, safety in traffic is a responsibility shared by everyone.
Section C: Risk Acceptance People take a variety of risks every day, but some take more risks than others. The important point is to think about the risks you are willing to take. Once you become aware of the risks associated with motorcycling, and once you accept that risk, it is time to learn how risks can be managed. Choosing to accept the challenges of being a responsible motorcyclist means to think about the consequences of your riding behavior in traffic. It also means accepting personal responsibility for the results of your decisions and actions, as well as developing good skills and judgment. Knowledge of what causes crashes is helpful in managing the complexity of riding situations. In most crashes, there is rarely a single cause. There is usually an interaction of factors that accumulate, and at some point in time, they come together in such a way to produce a crash. Many safety professionals do not like to use the word "accident." Crashes are predictable and preventable. Once way to think about the causes of crashes is to imagine a chain of events. Crashes occur because factors accumulate and lead to a hazardous situation. If a hazardous situation isn't recognized, it can develop into a traffic conflict or emergency. If the emergency isn't dealt with properly, it becomes a crash. There is a chain of events that lead to most crashes. A good rider will keep the chain of events from developing. Accident is at the top of the crash chain. But since these events have specific causes, they are better thought of as crashes. A conflict is an emergency or a near miss. Good riders won't have many conflicts because they will try to maintain a margin of safety. Hazards are everywhere, and the good motorcyclist will be quick to notice what's going on all around them. Hazards can be anything from road debris, to sun glare, to other traffic. Factors are at the bottom of the crash chain because these are circumstances or events that accumulate to produce problems, just like climbing the ladder of risk. It is at the bottom where all the action begins, and where you can minimize the interaction of factors by using a strategy and good judgment.
Section D: Risk Management A key element for a good rider would be to have the desire and motivation to choose to reduce risk while riding. It takes superior riding skill; and of course, a positive mental attitude helps. But a fundamental trait of all good riders is that they have a strategy, a way of thinking and planning to avoid trouble. A good motorcyclist reduces factors that lead to problems by applying a STRATEGY. Responsible riding is more than just having good skill, and more than simply having a good attitude. It means thinking before acting. It means considering the consequences of actions. This is the mental preparation that helps to reduce risk. A simple and powerful strategy is to SEE - Search, Evaluate, Execute. It is the strategy to help you understand what is going on in traffic and to be constantly planning and implementing a course of action. To SEE is to Search for factors that might lead to trouble, Evaluate how the factors might interact to create risk, and to Execute an action to maintain a margin of safety. As you develop riding skills, apply the SEE strategy to give yourself time and space. It works anywhere, and can help to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
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