Safe Riding Practices and Defensive Riding
See and Be Seen
Defensive riding starts with visibility. Ride where drivers can see you in their mirrors, avoid lingering in blind spots, and use your headlight and bright or reflective clothing. Position yourself so you have the greatest view ahead and the widest escape route, which often means the lane position nearest the centre line on a multi-lane road but away from oncoming traffic on a narrow one.
Scanning and Space Cushions
Scan far ahead, mid-range and near, and check mirrors frequently. Maintain a space cushion around you, front, back and sides. The most common crash configuration is a car turning left across your path or pulling out from a side road; anticipate it by watching front wheels and driver head movement, and by covering the brakes when a hazard is developing.
Hazards and Surface Conditions
Read the road for gravel, oil, painted lines, metal covers and wet patches, which reduce grip, especially when leaned over. Cross railway tracks and painted lines as upright as possible. In rain, increase following distance and brake earlier and more gently.
Traps
Questions often reward the least dramatic response: slow, adjust position, cover the brakes. Answers that suggest swerving sharply or braking hard in a curve are usually wrong. Remember that a motorcycle's best defence is space and early hazard recognition, not reaction speed.
Rule of Thumb
If you cannot see a driver's eyes or mirrors, assume they cannot see you, and plan an exit.
Worked Example
A car waits at a side road on your left. Rather than assuming it will stay, reduce speed slightly, move away from that side if the lane allows, and cover the brakes, so you can stop if it pulls out.