Hazards, Emergencies, and Crash Avoidance
Hazard and emergency questions ask what you do in the first second - when the front wheel locks, the tire blows, or a dog runs out. The exam rewards smooth, straight-line reactions over panic inputs.
Surface hazards
Gravel, sand, wet leaves, antifreeze, and the oily center at intersections all cut traction. Slow before you reach them on a straight, then cross with the bike upright and steady - no braking, no leaning, no throttle changes. Cross railroad tracks and painted lines at close to 90 degrees, and ride straight across bridge grating. For potholes: rise slightly off the seat, hold the bars firmly, roll over.
Weather and wind
In rain, the first minutes are slickest as oil lifts off the pavement. Reduce speed, increase following distance, and use smoother inputs. In a crosswind, lean into the wind and expect a blast when you pass a truck or leave a bridge abutment.
Mechanical emergencies
- Front tire blowout: hold both grips firmly, ease off the throttle, avoid hard braking, steer to the shoulder.
- Rear tire blowout: the bike fishtails - stay off the brakes, hold a straight line, slow gradually.
- Wobble: do not accelerate and do not grab the brake. Ease off the throttle, hold the bars loosely, let the bike settle.
- Stuck throttle: pull the clutch in, hit the kill switch, then brake.
- Front brake lock: release the lever immediately, then reapply progressively. Rear brake lock: keep it locked and ride it out, because releasing a sliding rear tire can high-side you.
Crash avoidance
The two recurring crash types are the left-turning car at an intersection and running wide in a curve. Both are beaten by speed control, looking where you want to go, and separating braking from swerving.
Worked example
You brake on a wet painted arrow and the front wheel locks and skids. The correct response is to release the lever instantly so the wheel can roll and regain grip, straighten the bike, then squeeze again more gently. Holding a locked front brake guarantees a fall.
Traps that cost marks
- Braking hard while swerving.
- Accelerating to 'power out' of a wobble.
- Grabbing the front brake on sand or gravel.
- Fixing your eyes on the hazard instead of your escape path.