Hey bike fans, Rossey here again with some more good advice on safe riding behaviours.
Today we’re going to talk about Roadcraft.
Good roadcraft is paramount for safe riding behaviours. Learning and practicing good roadcraft will save your life in an emergency.
What is roadcraft? Roadcraft is observation, perception, speed management and road positioning. The ‘Look’, ‘Slow Down’ and ‘Move Away’ technique is a good starting point.
The common motorcycle crash types are loss of control; hitting pedestrians, animals or objects; intersections; sideswipe and rear end collisions. And roadcraft is the best way to avoid these crash types.
As you are approaching an intersection, remember good observation, ‘Look’ – perceive the potential hazard, this maybe a car approaching the intersection. ‘Slow Down’- prepare the brake by picking up the slack, and gently squeezing the front brake lever, then the rear brake pedal. ‘Move Away’ – increase your hazard avoidance space by moving away from the potential hazard. This will give you more time to react if the car continues because they haven’t seen you.
Another potential hazard is a vehicle approaching you from the opposite direction. This vehicle could move into your lane for whatever reason. So as the vehicle approaches, you set up your brake (pick up the slack) and move away from the approaching vehicle increasing your hazard avoidance space. This will give you more time to react if that vehicle suddenly moves into your lane.
Sideswipe – this is a scary one, as you are riding on a dual carriageway, and you’re passing another vehicle, you ‘Look’ to see they have turned their indicator on. But they didn’t see you and they proceed to move over into your lane. My advice is to increase your hazard avoidance space as you pass. Therefore, if they start moving over, you have time to react and brake away before they move completely over. Don’t speed up, as this could cause more problems down the track.
Hit pedestrian, animal or object – whether riding in a heavily populated area, or a quiet rural road, observation is the key. Keep right in your lane to prepare for pedestrians or animals ‘hopping’ in front of you. This will give you more time to react if that pesky Roo jumps out from behind a bush, or a pedestrian doesn’t see you coming. You must ride to other’s behaviours.
For more on Roadcraft tips, jump on YouTube and watch the Queensland Department of Transport – Roadcraft videos. These will give you more of an insight into what I’m talking about.
But for now, remember – Stay shiny side up, and ride your own ride. This is Rossey, and I’m going to get you Geared to Ride.
