Defensive Driving Guidelines
Get proper training: Most people learn to ride on a scooter or motorcycle from a friend or family member. However, bad habits and questionable fundamentals are picked up, and the foundation for your riding is compromised. Take proper lessons from an accredited school or riding clinic, such as Honda’s Safety Driving Center, which offer proper courses for both automatic and manual two-wheeled vehicles 1.
Invest in proper gear: Invest in a good helmet that fits you properly. There’s no point in protecting your head if the helmet can just roll off or the straps come undone. A jacket that has some padding but allows for ventilation in our hot weather is the next requirement, as well as gloves. The padding should protect you from impacts and the fabric of the jacket should put a layer between your skin and the road in case of an accident. Those pieces of equipment should be your minimum riding attire to cover most of the city commutes. Additional riding jeans or pants with motorcycle boots are a must for longer and more demanding rides 1.
Be aware of your surroundings: The beauty about motorcycling is that it engages all the senses of the human body. Yes, including the taste of crisp morning air, or the bugs that get stuck in your teeth at the end of a six-hour ride. We can also hear and see things that help us make riding decisions much quicker than anyone stuck in their car with the windows up and music blasting on the radio. Keep your mirrors properly angled to keep track of other vehicles in the other lanes and make sure to keep up with traffic. Shoulder checking is a habit that should be developed, as one cannot rely on mirrors alone to judge proper distance, especially with the limited view with a helmet on. Anticipate changes in traffic and choose the path that will give you an exit in case something happens, like a vehicle suddenly stopping or cutting you off 12.
Ride defensively: Defensive riding – sometimes called planned riding – is about using observation, anticipation, and control to help you be prepared for the unexpected. Make sure you are always in control of your motorbike and ride at the correct speed in the correct gear in the correct position on the road. Always check your blind spots for motorcycles changing lanes, and give extra room when passing or following a motorcycle
No comments: