Sharing the Road, Hazards, and Defensive Riding
Seeing and being seen
Most motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, often at intersections where a driver turns left across the rider's path or pulls out from a side street. Defensive riding means scanning far ahead, checking mirrors and blind spots, and covering the brakes when a threat is possible. Use your headlight, wear bright or reflective gear, and position yourself where drivers are most likely to see you, not in their blind spots.
Reading surfaces
Hazards differ on two wheels: gravel, sand, wet leaves, painted lines, metal gratings, and tar snakes reduce traction. Cross them as upright as possible, avoid sudden braking or leaning on them, and slow before you reach them. In rain, the first minutes are the slickest as oil lifts from the pavement. At night, reduce speed so you can stop within the distance your headlight shows.
Animals, wind, and traffic
If an animal runs into your path, brake firmly and stay in your lane rather than swerving into oncoming traffic. Strong crosswinds and the turbulence from large trucks can push you sideways; slow down, grip the tank with your knees, and allow extra space when passing or being passed by trucks. Never ride in a truck's blind spot.
Worked rule of thumb
When a car is waiting to turn left across your path, treat it as if it has not seen you: slow, cover the brakes, and be ready to stop. Do not assume eye contact means the driver saw you.
Traps to watch
Questions reward the least risky option, not the most convenient one. Swerving into another lane, speeding up to "beat" a hazard, or assuming a driver will yield are wrong answers. Choose the response that preserves traction and escape space.