Lane Positioning, Sharing the Road, and Visibility
Lane Positioning, Sharing the Road, and Visibility
This domain tests where to ride within a lane, how to be seen, and how to share space with trucks, cars and other motorcycles.
Lane positions
Think of a lane as three lanes: left, center, right. The center often collects oil drips, especially at stops, so avoid it in wet weather. Use the left third to see and be seen past oncoming traffic; use the right third when a large vehicle is beside you or when you need escape room. Change position deliberately and signal.
Being visible
Ride with the headlight on, wear bright or contrasting gear, and avoid staying in blind spots. A motorcycle's narrow profile makes distance and speed hard for drivers to judge. North Carolina does not permit lane splitting; do not share a lane with a car. Two motorcycles may ride side by side, but not more than two abreast.
Worked example
A rider is following a tractor-trailer and cannot see the truck's mirrors. Reasoning: if the driver's mirrors cannot show the rider, the driver cannot see the rider. The rider should drop back or move to a position where the truck's mirror shows the motorcycle.
Traps
Riding in the oily center at a stoplight, lingering beside a truck's rear wheels, and treating a turn signal as proof a driver will turn. The safe answer is usually to increase distance and visibility.