If you are new to riding a moped, scooter or motorbike this spring - then congratulations on embracing a new way of life on the roads!
But there are lots of things to watch out for to keep safe, so at Two Wheels we’ve put together this New Rider series to offer newcomers some handy tips and hints on how to get the most out of motorcycling – in safety.
Watch your speed
The inappropriate use of speed is behind around a third of all traffic collisions – and motorcyclists are no exception to this. Remember that the speed limit is there for a reason; it’s what is accepted as the highest safe speed for all road users.
It is not a target to be aimed for either. Motorcyclists are very vulnerable on the road, and we don’t have a steel shell to protect us if something goes wrong, like car and van drivers have. If the road conditions aren’t great, don’t ride up to the speed limit, stay under it. In wet and windy weather, if there is ice around, in poor visibility or on a very busy road, cut your speed to keep you and other road users safe.
Handling a busy road
Riding through any town or city will mean we’ll use plenty of roads where cars are parked on both sides of the street.
This is so commonplace that it barely gets talked about, but it creates a different set of challenges to motorcycles. What are the things to watch out for?
1. Take your time, watch your speed
When cars are parked on both sides of a street there is less space for manoeuvre and little room for error. It’s important to take our time; if it’s a 20mph street, don’t ride to the limit but reduce your speed to one where you feel in control and can respond to anything that happens ahead.
2. Watch out for pedestrians - especially children
A motorcycle doesn’t offer the best vantage point to scan a street with tall cars and vans parked along it. Pedestrians often slip between parked cars to cross the road and might be hidden from our view, and they might not see an oncoming motorbike until after they’ve stepped into the road.
By taking our time and reducing our speed we will give the pedestrian more chance to spot our motorcycle and stop, and for us to bring our bike to a halt safely.
3. Watch that door!
Just because a car is parked never assume it is unoccupied. The driver or passenger could be just about to fling the door open – and we’ll bet they won’t look in the mirror to check for approaching motorcycles first.
A door opening in front of us as we ride by is a potentially lethal hazard, particularly if there is little room to swerve to avoid it.
That’s why we need to take it slow in busy areas: ride at a speed that lets you cope with the unexpected.
4. Vehicles pulling out, and junctions
As we ride it’s a good idea to scan the road ahead and look for signs a parked car is about to pull out. If you see a driver get into their car, assume it will be edging out soon - and they may not pause to look for an approaching motorbike before they do so. If you see a junction ahead, be wary as you approach. A car could be edging into your path from a side road to get a better view of the road they are turning into. Have they spotted you – and can you stop in time if they haven’t?