Unit III - Street Strategies

      Section A: Positioning

     As a responsible rider, you know how important it is to be in full control of the motorcycle and to be aware of time and space requirements.  Proper preparation is a key to enjoyable, safe and responsible motorcycling.  Let's turn attention to an overall riding strategy to manage risk in traffic.  Choosing the best lane and your position in that lane can increase the margin of safety.

     Lane Choice

     For multi-lane roads, position yourself to be able to see well down the road and to be visible to others.  Maintain as much space cushion as traffic and roadway conditions allow for your margin of safety.

     Lane Positions

     Positioning yourself properly within a lane can help you avoid windblast from other vehicles, help you see and avoid roadway hazards, and help you create and maintain a space cushion between  yourself and other traffic.  Don't hide among other vehicles.  Position yourself so that drivers ahead can you see you in their mirrors.  Your lane is split in thirds: left, center, and right.

   Section B: Being Visible

     Many motorcycle crashes are a result of a motorist's not seeing a motorcyclist until it is too late.  You must assume the responsibility to be visible in traffic.  You must communicate  your presence and intentions to other highway users. 

     Here are some suggestions for becoming more visible to others:

     Clothing: Wear bright colored clothing and a light colored helmet.  Use reflective material on your clothing, helmet, and motorcycle.

     Headlight: Ride with the headlight on during the daytime.

     Signals: Communicate with other drivers by signaling intentions.  Remember to cancel your turn signals.  A false signal can create a conflict because it fails to accurately communicate intentions.

     Brake Light: A flashing brake light is more visible than a steady one.  Flash the brake light before and during stops (except of course for emergency stops.)

     Horn: Use the horn to gain attention, but don't rely on it.  Many car and truck drivers may not be able to hear it.

   Section C: Rider Radar

     "Rider Radar" helps you perceive the hazards ahead, which account for around three-fourths of all the hazards that affect you.  Here are three "lead times" that you can use.  The are the 2-second following distance, the 4-second immediate path, and the 12-second anticipated path.

     The first lead-time is the 2-second following distance.  It is considered to be a minimum distance when conditions are ideal. 

     Here's how to establish 2-second following distance:

• Pick out a fixed point ahead, like a post or pavement marking

• As the vehicle ahead passes the fixed object, count off "one-motorcycle-one, two-motorcycle-two"; if the fixed point has not been reached, following distance is at least 2 seconds.

     The second lead-time is the 4-second immediate path.  Anything that is within 4 seconds of your path is considered immediate because a quick response is required if something should go wrong.

     The third lead-time is the 12-second anticipated path.  This means to look ahead to an area it would take that long to reach.  It provides time to prepare for a situation before it becomes immediate.

   Section D: Common Riding Situations

     Here are some riding situations that you may encounter.  It is always necessary to SEE, being cognizant of the limitations of stability and vulnerability.

     Intersections

      The greatest potential for a conflict between you and other traffic is at intersections.  Driveways and alleys should also be considered intersections.  It is helpful to follow these four steps when around an intersection:

• Check for traffic behind

• Check for oncoming traffic

• Check traffic to the left

• Check traffic to the right.

     Be aware of congested surroundings that could camouflage or hide you.  Have an escape plan and remain in 1st gear.  When pulling out into an intersection, wait a second or two in case someone crosses after their light changes to red.

     Avoid riding in a blind spot and to maintain similar speeds as other traffic.  It is important to watch for vehicles pulling away from a parked position, and to notice pedestrians stepping in your path.

NO- ZONE

    Parking

     Here are some tips for parking safely:

• If parking n a parallel parking space next to a curb, position the motorcycle at an angle with the rear wheel to the curb

• If using the side stand, turn the handlebars to the left for added stability; lock the forks for security

• The "feet" on side and center stands can sink onto soft surfaces causing the motorcycle to fall.  To prevent this, carry a flattened aluminum can or similar rigid object to put under the stand.

• Park the motorcycle in 1st gear for extra stability, particularly if on and incline.    

     Obstacles

     Searching and evaluating effectively can help you avoid obstacles such as potholes, speed bumps, or road debris such as gravel or solid objects.  If an obstacle cannot be avoided, rise off the seat and use the legs as shock absorbers.

     Here are some tips:

• Slow as much as traffic and time permit.

• Approach at a 90-degree angle if possible.

• Avoid target fixation on the obstacle, and keep eyes up and looking ahead once the path over the obstacle is determined; continue to SEE.

• Rise slightly off the seat before reaching the obstacle keeping your knees bent and against the tank.

• Squeeze both handgrips firmly; do not cover either the brake lever or the clutch lever.

• Shift weight to the rear and slightly roll on the throttle just before the front of the wheel makes contact.

• Upon contact with the object, roll off the throttle immediately so that the rear wheel is not under power when it rolls over the object.

• Do not sit until the motorcycle is stabilized.    

     Lane Changes

     The technique to change lanes is similar to when you drive a car.  Be sure to check for traffic in the mirrors and to the side in the direction you are moving.  Don't forget the effect of convex mirrors, as they make objects look farther away than they are.  Signal well in advance, using a hand signal as needed to alert others.

     Passing

     SEEing is critical when passing.  You should not try to pass more than one vehicle at a time, as one of them may turn left in front of you. 

     To complete a pass:

• Keep an appropriate following distance, and move to the left hand third of the lane.

• When a safe gap appears, signal a lane change.

• Check the mirrors and the blind spot.

• Accelerate and change lanes, selecting a lane position that allows maneuvering time and space.

• Once well past the vehicle, signal a lane change.

• Check the spacing with a mirror check and head check.

• Return to a good lane position, and cancel the signal.

• Continue to SEE.    

Section E: Impairments

     a. Alcohol Use and Misuse

     Alcohol is a depressant drug that affects safety.  It reduces the ability to search for hazards, to evaluate factors that lead to crashes, and to execute coordinated physical movement.

     Alcohol is a major contributor to motorcycle crashes.  Almost 50% of all riders killed had been drinking.  One-third of these riders had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit.  The remaining two-thirds had only a couple of drinks in their system, not enough to be legally intoxicated but more than enough to impair their mental and physical skills.  Motorcyclists are more likely than car or truck drivers to be  hurt in a crash because they are less protected.

     Depressant drugs, such as alcohol, slow down bodily functions.  Alcohol enters the bloodstream quickly with the effects beginning after the first drink.  The primary effects of alcohol are to diminish visual capabilities and alter good judgment.

     Alcohol is not the only drug that affects the ability to ride safely.  Many over-the-counter and prescription drugs, as well as illegal drugs, have effects and side effects that increase risk. 

Please Don't Drink and Drive!

     b. Blood Alcohol Concentration

     The more alcohol there is in the blood, the greater the degree of impairment.  The adult male body is able to eliminate alcohol at the rate of almost "one drink" per hour.  Women process alcohol at about three-fourths of that rate.

     BAC is determined by three factors; the amount of alcohol consumed, the time within which it is consumed, and body weight.  An accepted definition of a drink is beverage alcohol that contains around one ounce of pure ethyl alcohol.  A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a shot of liquor each contains about the same amount of alcohol.

     c. Intervention

     When someone has had too much to drink, it is the responsibility of others to keep that person from taking too many risks. 

     Here are some intervention tips:

• Enlist Others: The more people supporting the intervention, the better chance for success.

• Arrange a ride: Provide an alternative way home.

• Slow the pace of drinking: Direct attention to other activities.

• Delay Departure: Find reasons to delay the rider from getting on the motorcycle.  Provide non-alcohol drinks and food to help pass the time.

• Keep the bike parked: If the rider can't be stopped, consider hiding the keys.    

    d. Other Impairments

     Riding when fatigued requires you to allow extra time and space to identify important clues in traffic and to leave room for following and stopping.  Drowsiness is increasingly becoming a contributing factor to crashes. 

     It is not easy to determine the personal effects of emotions on riding, but experts recognize that feeling angry, troubled, or stressed makes safe, responsible riding more difficult.  Any emotion that distracts your attention will increase risk.

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