At 2 Wheels London we reckon we can safely say summer’s had its day, after some pretty heavy downpours over the past few days.

It’s certainly been no fun riding on the roads, and it brings particular problems for small-engined bikes as they can be very skittish and unstable on wet roads, and can easily skid. Braking and control are difficult and spray from other road users makes visibility a nightmare.

But if you have to keep riding, to get to work or college, how can you take to the streets without putting yourself in harm’s way? We’ve put together some tips for scooter, moped and motorbike riders to help everyone stay safe as we make the transition to the darker, wetter days of autumn…

 

Be prepared

Give your bike a good look-over before you set out. Start with your tyres: it’s vital they are in good condition as they need to be at their very best to grip the roads. Check the pressures are right, and the tread depth is okay. Remember, the legal limit of tyre tread depth in the UK for motorcycles over 50cc is 1mm across ¾ of the width of the tread pattern and with visible tread on the remaining ¼. For motorcycles up to 50cc the law requires that all the grooves of the original tread pattern must be clearly visible.

In addition, test the brakes and check all lead connections are secure. Give the lenses and reflectors a wipe: dirt from a previous ride could be obscuring them and making it more difficult for other road users to see them.

 

Keep yourself conspicuous. 

Ride with headlights and tail lamp on when the visibility is poor, even in daytime. Wearing reflective gear helps, too: hi-vis motorbiking jackets and trousers are ideal but if your wallet won’t stretch to those, the addition of bright reflective strips on your normal riding jacket, and helmet, will make a difference.

 

Wear the right kit

Wet weather riding is where your water/showerproof biking gear comes into its own. There is nothing worse than riding in soaked jeans and porous jackets – so don’t! Get hold of some kit that will keep you riding comfortably in all weathers. A pair of waterproof gloves are essential too, to make sure you always keep a tight grip on the handlebars and controls.

 

Keep your vision clear.


Use an anti-fog solution such as Rain-X to clear away condensation from helmet visors.

 

When you set off…

Think of the route you are about to take. Are any of the roads prone to flooding? For instance, a common flooding hot spot is when roads dip under bridges. Could you take a different but safer route this time?

 

The right speed


Reduce speed in the rain, and increase spacing. Wet roads increase stopping distance, almost doubling the space we need to stop safely, so we must keep a bigger gap between us and the vehicle in front.

Travelling at a reduced speed will also help pass through large puddles smoothly, and give us more chance of avoiding obstacles in the road that are partially hidden by standing water.

Riding too fast in the wet puts you more at risk of a skid, when the tyres lose traction with the road. If you start to feel like your bike is losing grip, don’t brake sharply; rather, ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed gradually, giving you better control.

 

Talking of puddles…

Easier said than done, but it’s best not to ride through standing water. First, it may be obscuring road debris or a big pothole. Second, the puddle could be deeper than you realise, and lead to a loss of control. If we can, it’s always best to steer around puddles – which is another reason for keeping our speed lower in the wet.

 

Is your journey necessary?


Finally, ask yourself, ‘do I really need to use the bike today?’, especially if heavy rain is forecast or flooding is reported. If the trip is essential, leave plenty of time for hold-ups or a slower journey. Alternatively, consider public transport: the Tube, bus or train could do the work this time.