CAA Login

Insurance

Motorcycle Tips for City Riders

Commuting to work on a motorcycle is not the hazardous exercise that many people believe it to be. In fact, with the proper skills, it can be a safe way to get to work. Of course, your driving style, the area in which your work is located and the driving conditions do play a major role in the level of safety you can expect to experience, but there are many elements under your control - many of which we've highlighted below.

Trust No One

The most important rule of urban motorcycle riding is to trust no one but you. Strange as it may seem, paranoia is the key. If you see a dented, dirty or run-down car, be afraid. Dents indicate historical damage and demonstrate that the owner of the vehicle has not made an effort to repair the damage. Similarly, dirty vehicles indicate a disinterested owner, which may very well represent the driving habits of this person.

As you gain experience, you'll undoubtedly start to notice trends in particular types of vehicles. Drivers of minivans, for instance, are often dealing with screaming kids in the back seat. As a result, drivers of minivans may not have the ability to focus on the road at all times and should immediately trigger your paranoia. Similarly, sports cars are often driven by aggressive drivers who have the ability to accelerate quickly and change lanes often, so stay well back. Drivers of SUVs and large pickup trucks should also be added to your "watch" list, as they may be carrying a large amount of goods resulting in reduced visibility. In all, there are really no vehicles you can ignore while riding in an urban area. Trust no one but yourself.

Blind Spots

Now that you've got the first rule of urban riding down, let's move on to the next most important thought - Stay out of blind spots. If you can't see the driver's face in the car's mirror, that driver can't see you and you simply don't exist.

Use acceleration, deceleration and lane position to "ride in the mirrors" of the cars around you. As you gain experience, you'll start to develop an alarm system in your own mind that goes off every time you approach a blind spot. Move through traffic as required, but stay out of blind spots rather than sitting in them.

If you're reading this and thinking, "Well, that's understandable, but isn't it up to the drivers of all vehicles to ensure they check their blind spots before changing lanes?" then you're not alone. However, while this is wonderful in principle, reality repeatedly demonstrates that this does not always hold true. And, even if you're involved in a not-at-fault in an accident, you need to keep in mind that it's your small bike against the full weight of a modern-day vehicle. It doesn't take a physics major to realize that the contest will be easily won and, as the rider in this situation, the odds are not in your favour.

Of course, just because you're riding in the mirrors of a car doesn't mean that driver will use that mirror before changing lanes into you. Position yourself so that if the driver fails to see you in the mirror, you still aren't in danger of being hit. You will know when you're riding well and staying clear of blind spots because you are no longer using your horn to warn encroaching drivers of your presence; they've already seen you in the mirror, alongside or ahead.

A Perfect Blend

Combining defensive tactics and aggressive riding will allow you to become a rider that can weather any storm. The secret is knowing when to use each of the tactics. After all, blasting aggressively down Yonge Street is an open invitation for trouble. Conversely, creeping slowly down the road invites different (but no less deadly) trouble, putting you at the mercy of other drivers' skills - or lack thereof.

Defensive riding means being aware of your space and maintaining that space by positioning yourself in surrounding traffic. Riding defensively is a way of looking at traffic to predict its effect on you, and doing your best to make sure that this effect is minimal.

Riding aggressively is an applied technique to be exercised only occasionally. As a motorcyclist, you must put yourself in view of other drivers, and sometimes that means a bit of aggressive throttle use to come up even with a driver's window. Simply put, sometimes slowing down is extremely dangerous and some aggressive acceleration or lane changing is required.

It's Simple, Really

The safest way to ride in the city is to create your own traffic destiny. Your goal should be to consistently put yourself in a position with an escape route if your worst-case predictions come true. Other drivers make mistakes and you won't change their mistakes by being on the road alongside them. But, by recognizing the patterns of other drivers, you'll put yourself in a good position to avoid their mistakes.

Slow down, trust only yourself and utilize defensive riding techniques whenever possible. Being on your guard will allow you to anticipate the moves of other drivers and ensure you don't collide. Experience helps, but you're only going to get the experience you need by keeping in mind the rules above. Be safe, wear your helmet and enjoy the commute!