Hazard Perception and Risk Management
Core concepts
Hazard perception is about scanning far ahead, reading the environment, and predicting what other road users may do. Build a system: look up and ahead, check mirrors and blind spots, and keep an escape path. Identify fixed hazards (intersections, crests, gravel, wet patches, tram tracks) and moving hazards (cars emerging, pedestrians, animals). The greatest motorcycle risk is being unseen, so position yourself where drivers can see you and where you can see them.
Traps in questions
Questions often present a scenario and ask for the safest response. Traps include choosing to brake hard when swerving or rolling off the throttle is safer, or assuming a driver has seen you because they looked. Another trap is treating a green light as an all-clear; you must still scan the intersection. Watch for questions on following distance in poor conditions and on riding at night.
Worked example
You approach a line of parked cars and see a person in a driver's seat. Treat it as a likely door opening: slow, move away from the door zone if safe, and cover the brakes. Do not assume they will check for you.
Rule of thumb
Ride to the limit point: if you cannot stop within the distance you can see to be clear, slow down.