Four steps to safety

Making a right turn can be a risky manoeuvre for motorcycles, particularly on busy roads, but there are four simple steps to take that will keep us safe.

Mirror - signal - lifesaver - manoeuvre.

 

Mirrors

Before making any moves, check mirrors. Is there anyone on our shoulder or approaching from the rear quickly that we need to be aware of? If we manoeuvre, will they see us?

 

Signal

Once it’s clear to the rear, signal. Do it early; the most advance notice following drivers have, and those coming in the opposite direction, of our intentions, the better.

 

Lifesaver

Grab a lifesaver. Never start a manoeuvre solely based on using mirrors: look over the right shoulder and give it all a final check behind. Has anyone snuck into our blind spot we haven’t seen? Has our mirror check been too quick to take in all the traffic behind? Only after we’ve made a lifesaver should we think about re-positioning our bike for a right turn.

 

Making the move

Know it’s clear behind? Make the turn if traffic coming in the opposite direction is clear.

 

Best position

From a single carriageway, the correct position to be in from which to start a right turn is just left of the centre line on the road. That will allow traffic going straight on to pass us on the nearside. It also puts us in full view of traffic coming in the opposite direction. The more visible we are, the better our chances of making the turn safely.

If the road markings show a space for vehicles turning right, use it.

 

Turning left

Left turns are not as dangerous as right ones that cross traffic but there are still some things to watch out for.

Never be tempted to undertake a long vehicle such as a bus to make your left turn. They could be turning left too, but are doing so from a wide position on the road to swing their vehicle into the side road. If you are on their nearside, the driver may not spot you.

Sadly, dozens of motorcyclists and cyclists are killed and injured every year in our cities in just this way. Pull back and wait for the long vehicle to clear the junction, just in case.

If riding in slow-moving traffic, check no-one coming in the opposite direction is making a right-turn into the same road we are turning into. Drivers going straight on may have flashed them to make their turn and not spotted you, and the other vehicle may be in such a hurry to complete their turn they miss the slim silhouette of a motorbike turning into the same road.

Finally, when we make a left-turn, it’s up to us to watch for pedestrians who may be crossing the side road. Give them space to complete the crossing.