Repost from MV: Riding Skills Surviving the City

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:34 pm

This was too good not to share here:

To complement recent posts on rider safety and tips from the motorcycle foundation, here are some of my humble observations that on more then one occasion saved my own skin. Feel free to add your insights.

Ride safe out there and here's to cooler fall/winter riding.

A) When turning left at an intersection, if you see a convertible car with a driver wearing beach attire and their left turn signal is on, pause a minute--as their turn signal may be erroneous. (I did this once and low and behold the driver kept going straight). (Typical-- L.A driver #1)

B) Ride slightly faster than the flow of traffic. Avoid blind spots and ready yourself for evasive manuvers.

C) Cover your rear break at intersections and be prepared for a sudden stop or evasive manuver.

D) If you see a dog and it's owner on the sidewalk- slow down and then be ready to speed up. Anticipate the dog charging you. L.A dogs love to do so.

E) Look at a car's front tire to get an idea if they're turning or going straight.

F) When waiting at a stop light and if a car is approaching from behind, blink your rear tailight to ensure that they see you.

G) Check your rear mirrors often and keep your eyes moving with a focus upon the " 8", "12" and "2" positions.

H) When turning right at a corner just because you might have the right of way and think you have eye contact with a driver at the adjacent left corner, don't assume they'll yield for you.
(I didn't and low and behold the driver kept going straight--they would have plowed right into me). (typical L.A driver #2)

To be continued.........

Please add your own observations or advice.

Someone else posted that leaves are slippery. Be warned on corners and over flow onto the street!

louie · Post by **louie** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:22 pm

good advise from our friends at MSF. typical for drivers period.

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:25 pm

I would disagree with several of those points.

I listen to my iPod loud and ride it like I stole it.

Dave

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:05 pm

I would agree with ScooterDave about several of those points.

At least I think I would.

An example I disagree with tbone on:

B) Ride slightly faster than the flow of traffic. Avoid blind spots and ready yourself for evasive manuvers.

If you're riding faster than traffic, you are going to be crossing through their blind spots, deliberately. This seems unwise and forces you to need evasive maneuvers.

I expect ScooterDave would modify that to "Ride much, much faster than the flow of traffic".

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:43 pm

lobsterman wrote:An example I disagree with tbone on:

B) Ride slightly faster than the flow of traffic. Avoid blind spots and ready yourself for evasive manuvers.

If you're riding faster than traffic, you are going to be crossing through their blind spots, deliberately. This seems unwise and forces you to need evasive maneuvers.

I expect ScooterDave would modify that to "Ride much, much faster than the flow of traffic".

Depending on how heavy traffic is, you're riding through blindspots either way. I vary my speed much more than the cars around me for this very reason, just making sure I'm not cruising or sitting in one. For lane-splitters (where such activity is legal, of course), this is pretty essential.

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:08 pm

PSSSTT...

I didn't write that, just reposting it from ModernVespa. I thought they were good points to think about/discuss.

Scooter Dave, you are a braver man than I!

Being conscious of the driver in front/to the side of you and their blind spots I believe is the point of that. If you choose to hang back, great. If you choose to zoom past like Dave, great. Personal choice.