MOTORCYCLE DRIVING TACTICS

[Music] [Music] there's a sound and fury in the everyday routine of getting from closer than we think is still another place quiet place [Applause] the sanctuary of a silent City [Music] for those of us who drive on two wheels the odds are five times as great that we'll reach this silent City as it is for those who drive on four years of careful research have taught us many of the reasons for that deadly five to one ratio [Music] item in spite of the rapidly increasing number of motorcycles the average motorist is still not used to them doesn't expect them around isn't really looking out for them so the cyclist is faced with the same serious problem of not being seen to face the drivers of small foreign cars when they first appear [Music] [Applause] even when a motorcycle is seemingly in plain view even a small object raised in front of the driver's eyes can completely block out a cycle directly in front of it [Music] there's no doubt that a man a woman on two wheels is dwarfed by any car truck and is definitely out way [Music] therefore it's only logical that a cyclist must see and be seen the best way to be seen is by wearing high visibility protective clothing in white red or shocking pink but don't depend on that drive defensively ride as if the other drivers can't see [Music] the full meaning of see and be seen and the impact of relative size have been documented in a series of crash tests conducted at the Institute of Transportation and traffic engineering of the University of California [Music] [Applause] machines weighing from 200 to 500 pounds were used at speeds of 20 30 and 40 miles per hour [Music] in every case the instrumented dummy cyclists indicated serious injury or fatality [Music] [Music] [Music] the size of the cycle didn't matter everything back of the fork indicated good deceleration factors [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] as a result of the tests it was felt that passive restraints such as padding to resist forward movement could be designed to greatly reduce injuries in front end collisions of motorcycles for the best safety devices are still your own knowledge skill and good common sense a logical place to acquire or improve all three is it a good school [Music] because on two wheels there's no protective steel around you all experienced cyclists know and beginners learn that you must wear your protection gloves and approved helmet goggles that will keep stones and bugs out of your eyes shoes or boots that support and cover ankles and protective clothing preferably in bright colors dress defensively and drive defensively and defensive driving starts with getting to know the fundamentals thorough that comes only through practice [Music] many communities provide excellent instruction through their traffic safety or driver education departments [Applause] [Music] [Music] when you're following cars keep to the left of the lane the driver ahead can't see you if you're right on the right big part of defensive driving involves space space between you and whatever's up ahead you need that space to act and react and this applies not only on flesh but also on surface streets where sudden stops your lane changes between a tailgater bouncing off the bumper so it's a good idea to keep checking your rearview mirror [Music] even mop your tail defensive driving means more than just being careful you have to plan ahead that simply means knowing what's going on up there ahead of you and what you will do if on a motorcycle you have a big plus unrestricted vision in all direction there's a ball and it's usually followed by a child Lana hit won't have time to admin while it's happening seventy-five percent of all accidents involving motorcycles occurred intersection remember that even a slight obstruction such as the window frame of the car can momentarily obstruct that drivers view of you in addition to compliance with the law a simple courtesy at an intersection will keep you and the other fellow from achieving it high in the middle of the street usually even if not always courtesy is returned by courtesy but if there is a thigh on a motorcycle you lose but there are many ways in which you win if you own a motorcycle cycles are relatively inexpensive and economical to drive they're easy to park there's that very personal relationship between the rider and his machine the feel of the road closer to the world around [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] but in enjoying your machine don't lose respect for it they'll be overconfident remember plan ahead look ahead [Music] they're potholes in almost any road no problem for a car but a dangerous hazard for motorcycle motorcycle gives you the freedom to explore areas you would hesitate to take your car but loose dirt or gravel can be treacherous take it slow take it easy [Music] but might seem like fun leave you lying in the road would help far away a long time and company keep it on the rubber water or an oil slick can be extremely dangerous especially the sharp curve or street corner planning ahead is important to everyone on the road any one on two wheels it's a way of life experienced cyclists know this rule if it is not fall out chances of becoming experienced a very slim indeed [Music] fun and caution make for good times but the fun is apt to prove a problem for those friends or even strangers who want to borrow your bike you know just try it out here's the thought to keep in mind about 25 percent of all accidents happen on borrowed machines Shakespeare said it neither a lender nor a borrower be enjoy the fun and freedom that a motorcycle can give you but no your machine and respected CNBC ride defensively use your plan ahead a lot of people have a negative feeling about motorcycles and those who ride [Music] [Applause] right or wrong that feeling place is an additional burden on everyone who rides a cycle there on your own you and your common sense [Music] [Music] paraphrase is saying that flyers use there are old cyclists and bold cyclists for there are no old bold cyclists [Music] you have a long way to go have fun [Music]