Reducing Risk and Common Mistakes

[supernova12034]

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As I get closer to getting a bike now Im trying to come up with a list of things to NOT do while riding, ultimately to reduce the risks that come with riding a motorcycle

I have come up with a few things based on my experience driving in situations which i would deem dangerous for motorcycle riders

1. Riding in Toronto(Especially downtown)
With the crazy drivers and cab drivers, traffic, lack of space/room and the sheer volume of people I feel this should be at the top of the list. Ill do my darn hardest to avoid getting anywhere near a 10km radius of the downtown Core (I want to know what the riders think about this one)

2. Avoid riding during Peak/Rush hours(This means morning/evening rush)
Just a statistical probability when there are more people driving etc

3. Stay away from big roads/traffic?(cant remember the last time i saw A bike on the 401)

4. Follow General common sense stuff (Wear All gear at all times, dont speed, general road awareness/caution, im sure they will teach more at the MSF course i start tomorrow)

5. Avoid riding when the roads are wet/slippery(after a rain?)







In addition what are some of the common mistakes new riders tend to make?

1)I know grabbing a handful of front brake in Oh **** situations is one, riders should practice braking with both front and rear brake, evenly and smoothly.

2)Try not to lean too far over

I remember watching this AWESOME video by Keith Code(Twist of the wrist) where he talks about Throttle control and corners I believe the rule was:

"Once the throttle is cracked open, its rolled on evenly, smoothly, and consistently" and that cutting the throttle in sketchy situations or being erratic with the throttle is dangerous, and that the bike needs to achieve its ideal weight distribution in order to maintain traction/stability and it does this by throttle control.

3)Braking too roughly throws all the weight of the bike forward, accelerating too roughly throws it back too much which also causes problems.

4)Holding on to the bike too tight(with tension) causes wobble

5)The bike goes where you look, so always look where you want to go(and not focusing on the danger/ditch where you dont want the bike to end up)

Those are all i can think off the top of my head
(Sorry for the super long post)

Feel free to add what needs to be changed/edited and add your own

 

[Blackfin]

There's enough material here to fill a book. In fact, it's been done. Find, purchase and read David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide To Riding Well. It's an excellent, educational read.

 

[FLSTC]

There are 'crazy drivers' everywhere, not just downtown TO. In fact you should assume all drivers are crazy even though, IIRC, insurance Companys rate Brampton worst, then York Region, then Toronto.

Classic troubles are a car turning left in front of you, and failure of a rider (you) to negotiate a curve.

Being rear-ended if you're last in the line stopped at a light is scary and where you'll need to keep your attention and action-plan ready.

You also have to 'manage' traffic behind you, so don't get caught where you have to stop suddenly only to get pasted by the car behind you that can't stop as quickly.

 

[FLSTC]

Addendum:

1. How are your bicycle riding skills?

2. Loud pipes save lives.

 

[PrivatePilot]

1/ Assume nobody sees you. Ever. (My absolute cardinal rule)

2/ Assume every other driver is an idiot. Even if they're not. Typically also goes hand in hand with #1 above.

3/ Assume every corner may have gravel on it or somewhere near it, use your eyes, don't ever assume anything so far as road conditions or traction.

4/ When riding at speed, assume there's a car doing a U-Turn in front of you just around every blind corner.

5/ Assume every car at an intersection is going to turn in front of you. Again, see #1 above.

Those three basics have worked well for me over the years but are just the tip of the iceberg. Seat time will help you gain the sixth sense that is also helpful when riding on 2 wheels - being a commercial driver for 20+ years has honed mine and it serves me well when riding.

 

[inreb]

Reduce your risk exposure by riding motorcycles as a hobby. Ride in the countryside to enjoy the fresh air, pastries, long views and peeing under bridges. If you have to treat every car as a legitimate threat to life and limb, and you should, why use the bike as a commuting tool? I know some people who drive for a living and ride downtown for fun. Crazy. Are we tigers in a cage?

 

[catzo]

If you come in to a corner too fast, and theres no time to brake, and you don't think you're going to make the turn, don't panic. Keep your eyes up and focused on the road where you want to go. Don't look at the ditch. Just look where you wsnt to go, and you'll make the turn

 

[Brian P]

What we call "failure to turn" is a lot more common than "leaning too far over".

Look where you want to go. No exceptions. If you spot gravel, look where the gravel isn't. If you have to avoid cars, look for the space between them (and more properly ... look for where that space is going to be by the time you get there, and that's not necessarily the same as where that space is now).

Do your best to make sure car drivers can see you. Look up "SMIDSY weave" (that exact term). While that's no guarantee that the car drivers will act accordingly, if the car driver's CAN'T see you (because something else is blocking their view), they won't.

If you can't see past another vehicle that is blocking your view ... assume that there IS another vehicle in the place that you can't see. Don't assume it's empty because you can't see it. A lot of car drivers make this error.

Be mindful of the blind spots of other vehicles. Stay out of them to the extent that it is practical to do so.

Be mindful of the trajectory that another vehicle will make if it does an unsignalled lane change. Don't be directly beside them - to the extent that it is practical.

If there is busy traffic in an intersection SLOW DOWN.

If there is a car that looks like it may make a turn that could conflict with your path in an intersection (e.g. an oncoming vehicle planning to make a left turn across your path) then (A) position yourself so that they can see you - shine your headlight right at them and (B) SLOW DOWN - but not to the extent that they think you're going to stop! - just ease back. If there is other traffic travelling with you in the same direction, if possible, at the last moment before entering the intersection, position yourself such that a car travelling in your direction in front of you is now running interference for you ... the oncoming left-turner would have to go through that other car before it can get to you. This might momentarily require travelling in that other vehicle's blind spot ... but this is why these are not absolute rules. The consequence of that other same-direction vehicle changing lanes is much, much less than the consequence of the left-turner turning left after that vehicle in front of you passes but before you get there.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

Actually limited access highways like the 401, 403, QEW, etc. are some of the safest places for bikes. There's no oncoming traffic to turn left in front of you. There's no cross traffic to cut across in front of you. There are no stop signs or lights where you'll get hit from behind. For the most part everyone is going in the same direction, at the same speed.

Don't rush the amber lights, if there's no one behind you [Left turning car from oncoming lanes; CRASH! "Sorry, didn't see you."]

Don't slam on the brakes at a stoplight if there is someone behind you [Car behind you was trying to rush the amber and launches you into the air; CRASH! "Sorry, didn't see you."]

Don't launch out of a light when it changes, when there was an advanced green for the oncoming traffic [Car in the oncoming turn lane trying to "stretch" the advanced green; CRASH! "Sorry, didn't see you."]

Keep in mind that there's traffic behind you at every light and stop sign. Be ready for them to do something stupid [Car coming up behind thinks that you're going todo a rolling stop so he does one; CRASH! "Sorry, didn't see you."]

 

[malamute62]

There's enough material here to fill a book. In fact, it's been done. Find, purchase and read David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide To Riding Well. It's an excellent, educational read.

Second the recommendation for this book. Also a good read is "mastering the ride" by the same author. Good books to read through each year while waiting for the April snow to melt

 

[Flywheel]

There's enough material here to fill a book.

You mean FOUR books, just for Mr. Hough alone. Snag them all, OP. Read and re-read regularly. Owning a street bike and being too afraid to use it outside of perfect conditions is a waste of money and will limit your skills. Eventually you WILL get caught in the rain or a traffic jam, even on a weekend jaunt. No cars? Pedestrians, animals and cyclists will test your braking skills anyway. The superslab gets you places, even if boring. Stay calm (sometimes difficult), remain observant and enjoy. Do that and the amount of "surprises" becomes rare. Commuting gets you saddle time--always important with a short riding season. Riding requires the mind of a general and the heart of a poet (who gets that reference without Googling?). Relax those shoulders and glide, dude.

PLUS everything else posted here. Find out what works for you. Good luck out there.

 

[supernova12034]

There are 'crazy drivers' everywhere, not just downtown TO. In fact you should assume all drivers are crazy even though, IIRC, insurance Companys rate Brampton worst, then York Region, then Toronto.

Classic troubles are a car turning left in front of you, and failure of a rider (you) to negotiate a curve.

Being rear-ended if you're last in the line stopped at a light is scary and where you'll need to keep your attention and action-plan ready.

You also have to 'manage' traffic behind you, so don't get caught where you have to stop suddenly only to get pasted by the car behind you that can't stop as quickly.

Car turning left infront of you seems to be mentioned several times, if im reading this right, its referring to cars at an intersection turning left from the opposing side of traffic?(In other words when your going straight at a light, they are turning left((which is your right side))

Addendum:

1. How are your bicycle riding skills?

2. Loud pipes save lives.

My bicycle skills are pretty darn good actually, back home I used to ride bicycles a lot, even in canada I rode a lot of bicycles, had my share of knee elbow scrapes and bruises

Actually limited access highways like the 401, 403, QEW, etc. are some of the safest places for bikes. There's no oncoming traffic to turn left in front of you. There's no cross traffic to cut across in front of you. There are no stop signs or lights where you'll get hit from behind. For the most part everyone is going in the same direction, at the same speed.

Don't rush the amber lights, if there's no one behind you [Left turning car from oncoming lanes; CRASH! "Sorry, didn't see you."]

Don't slam on the brakes at a stoplight if there is someone behind you [Car behind you was trying to rush the amber and launches you into the air; CRASH! "Sorry, didn't see you."]

Don't launch out of a light when it changes, when there was an advanced green for the oncoming traffic [Car in the oncoming turn lane trying to "stretch" the advanced green; CRASH! "Sorry, didn't see you."]

Keep in mind that there's traffic behind you at every light and stop sign. Be ready for them to do something stupid [Car coming up behind thinks that you're going todo a rolling stop so he does one; CRASH! "Sorry, didn't see you."]

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense.

Very thorough

 

[wonderings]

1/ Assume nobody sees you. Ever. (My absolute cardinal rule)

2/ Assume every other driver is an idiot. Even if they're not. Typically also goes hand in hand with #1 above.

3/ Assume every corner may have gravel on it or somewhere near it, use your eyes, don't ever assume anything so far as road conditions or traction.

4/ When riding at speed, assume there's a car doing a U-Turn in front of you just around every blind corner.

5/ Assume every car at an intersection is going to turn in front of you. Again, see #1 above.

Those three basics have worked well for me over the years but are just the tip of the iceberg. Seat time will help you gain the sixth sense that is also helpful when riding on 2 wheels - being a commercial driver for 20+ years has honed mine and it serves me well when riding.

+100

You need to ride defensively. If you think you are safe because you are not riding in the downtown core of Toronto, or not on the 401, you are dead wrong. From quiet sleepy little village to bustling big city, they all have bad drivers who will not see you and will kill you if you do not keep aware.

As for staying away from big roads like the 401, I don't see the point, maybe while you are learning and not completely comfortable on the road yet. I see plenty of bikes on the 401, bikers are not avoiding it. Get comfortable on your bike, know it and its operations inside and out, like muscle memory.

 

[bboySushi]

Be relaxed and grip the bike tank with your legs and core,don’t strangle the handlebars.





Go take a motorcycle course. Riding defensively isimportant. Where you should be placed in the lane relative to other cars,making eye contact, being visible, not affording cars the opportunities to takeyour space away.





When you’re starting out, get more seat time. Also don’t getanxious or panic when cars honk you. Just be calm and ride, they can pass youif you’re taking too long to shift at a green light, or if you stall.





MAINTAIN YOUR BIKE. Check out any weird noises when theyhappen. Check the chain, etc. Get CAA or something like that or at least have alocal bike tower on your phone.





Definitely gear up. Don’t be lazy. Light gear is MUCH betterthan no gear. TRUST ME.





If you’re nervous when you first start, go riding with abuddy you trust, or even have someone drive behind you in a car if you can findsomeone willing. They will help manage the traffic behind you and take that pressureoff your mind.

 

[Brant Bandit]

100% agree with this, and I share these rules. I'm also teaching these rules to my kids while driving in the car.

1/ Assume nobody sees you. Ever. (My absolute cardinal rule)

2/ Assume every other driver is an idiot. Even if they're not. Typically also goes hand in hand with #1 above.

3/ Assume every corner may have gravel on it or somewhere near it, use your eyes, don't ever assume anything so far as road conditions or traction.

4/ When riding at speed, assume there's a car doing a U-Turn in front of you just around every blind corner.

5/ Assume every car at an intersection is going to turn in front of you. Again, see #1 above.

Those three basics have worked well for me over the years but are just the tip of the iceberg. Seat time will help you gain the sixth sense that is also helpful when riding on 2 wheels - being a commercial driver for 20+ years has honed mine and it serves me well when riding.

 

[Baggsy]

Ok lets go through them.

As I get closer to getting a bike now Im trying to come up with a list of things to NOT do while riding, ultimately to reduce the risks that come with riding a motorcycle

I have come up with a few things based on my experience driving in situations which i would deem dangerous for motorcycle riders

1. Riding in Toronto(Especially downtown)
With the crazy drivers and cab drivers, traffic, lack of space/room and the sheer volume of people I feel this should be at the top of the list. Ill do my darn hardest to avoid getting anywhere near a 10km radius of the downtown Core (I want to know what the riders think about this one)

Thousands of bikes commute to downtown everyday. There are places where issues may occur (Lakeshore East going onto British Columbia was one - cars turning left from straight through lane to get onto Gardiner was one), but everyone tends to be moving slowly, and has plenty of time to see you, if you let them. People driving downtown are expecting to see pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, cars, trucks, vans, skateboarders, etc. etc, so in some ways, it's actually safer.

2. Avoid riding during Peak/Rush hours(This means morning/evening rush)
Just a statistical probability when there are more people driving etc
If you get frustrated in traffic, or can't ride low speed for an hour, and many people on a bike do/can't, then by all means avoid.

3. Stay away from big roads/traffic?(cant remember the last time i saw A bike on the 401)
If this is the case, then why even get a bigger bike? I've seen bikes on the 401, but not during normal hours, and mostly outside the city. Learn to ride a small bike and the big ones will be easier, but there will still be a learning curve for each individual bike.

4. Follow General common sense stuff (Wear All gear at all times, dont speed, general road awareness/caution, im sure they will teach more at the MSF course i start tomorrow)
Some of the stuff that they teach at the Gearing Up course is meant to keep you safe, riding in a parking lot, on their bikes, with many other inexperienced riders. Other stuff, is meant to keep you safe when riding later on. Part of it is to teach you to learn, and realize that you don't know everything, and never will. Keep learning.

5. Avoid riding when the roads are wet/slippery(after a rain?)
Sure, or be careful if it can't be avoided. Avoid riding after drinking/smoking up.






In addition what are some of the common mistakes new riders tend to make?

1)I know grabbing a handful of front brake in Oh **** situations is one, riders should practice braking with both front and rear brake, evenly and smoothly.
Clutch! Don't forget the clutch. The engine pushes your bike forward. If your wrist is incorrectly positioned and you go WOT, when squeezing the front brake. All that force is pushing you forward until you disengage the clutch.
Learn to squeeze both levers. Figure out why the rear brake is called the most dangerous control on a bike.

2)Try not to lean too far over

I remember watching this AWESOME video by Keith Code(Twist of the wrist) where he talks about Throttle control and corners I believe the rule was:

"Once the throttle is cracked open, its rolled on evenly, smoothly, and consistently" and that cutting the throttle in sketchy situations or being erratic with the throttle is dangerous, and that the bike needs to achieve its ideal weight distribution in order to maintain traction/stability and it does this by throttle control.
I'm not sure what throttle control has to do with leaning too far over on the street.
Slow in, fast out works best in most situations.

3)Braking too roughly throws all the weight of the bike forward, accelerating too roughly throws it back too much which also causes problems.
Braking throws the weight of the bike forward, accelerating backwards. It doesn't matter if it's rough or not. But yes, smoothness counts.

4)Holding on to the bike too tight(with tension) causes wobble
This usually refers to your hands and arms.

5)The bike goes where you look, so always look where you want to go(and not focusing on the danger/ditch where you dont want the bike to end up)
Your eyes should always be moving, mirror checks, shoulder checks, looking for trouble spots. Know where the controls are without looking at them. Look where you want to go, or beyond it, but don't exclude your surroundings.

Those are all i can think off the top of my head
(Sorry for the super long post)

Feel free to add what needs to be changed/edited and add your own

Learn to read traffic.

Don't get cocky.
There's a reason that many people have accidents in their second and third year riding.

If you feel that your head isn't in the game, then don't ride. Listen to that intuition.

Be polite and courteous. It helps you get along with the good drivers, and turns around or frustrates the bad ones.

Don't get into it with other vehicles. It's much nicer to slow down, take a turn, and choose a different route, than to get all riled up, and start getting aggressive. Most people ride to relax, not stress out.

Make sure that you're seen.

Everyone in front of you can outbrake you, everyone behind you cannot, people beside you can't see you.

 

[TorontoBoy]

There is no possible way that we can successfully transfer our knowledge to you. What you seek is experience, which you must live to learn. Still, all the provided tips are excellent. The Hough book is excellent and is available at the Toronto Library.

The most dangerous situation in the city is the intersection. This is true regardless of bike or car. Statistically left turners hurt motorcyclists the most. Hough has these stats in his book. When you are going through an intersection, with a car/truck beside you, match their speed either by braking or accelerating, and use them as a blocker. Car drivers are much more likely to register another car or a truck as a threat to their safety and therefore not turn into them. On a bike you are smaller and the driver may unconsciously filter you out of their mind (see "Sorry Mate, I did not see you", SMIDSY), and turn into you. You might think that SMIDSY is quackery, but it has been scientifically tested many times and happens often.

 

[LePhillou]

Avoiding your points in your original post is great but also is part of what will make you a better rider. My slow speed has improved a million fold doing the commute into downtown core every day. It has also helped me developed a better "reading" of what the cars are going to do.

Being exposed to situation and dangers are what help you train the reflexes that might save your life where you musnt THINK about what youre doing but you must ACT right away.

But yeah i think most posts should sum up to
"Ride like your invisible to almost everyone, and those that can see you are out to kill you"
and another tip from here that has helped me a whole fakkin lot when i panicked was remembering to look where im going.
Especially in curves. As it helps me keep my cool and not do as jittery dangerous moves that might result in one-man collisions.

If you ride in groups, ride your own ride, don't go way over your comfort level, and in the very beginning, STAY in your comfort level.

When you get the chance, do slow speed (slow u-turns in garage or drive way, 8 figures in empty lots, etc.

Doing them in my underground parking over the winter has helped me
a) keep fresh for the riding season
b) determine i had a weaker side in my turning where i felt less assertive (so i practiced it more)

 

[Kri$han]

- Educate yourself on the SMIDSY technique. there should be a youtube video or two.

- Try to learn/recognize what some people refer to as "car-body language"; often times you can anticipate where a driver intends to go/what they intend to do before they actually do it by observing their behavior while they are within close proximity. You can practice this in your car, but it's easier/more noticeable on the bike because there are less distractions while riding (no phone/radio/temp controls, etc.)

- Always ride with modesty, and never out-run your guardian angel

- Speeding is a great technique for accident/idiot avoidance. Great driving is a fine balance between defensive and aggressive maneuvering, IMHO.

- Don't get mad at cagers, and don't take close calls personally. Lots of people here do, and it's easy to, considering the risk we accept as motorcyclists, however; car driver's don't care (never assume they do) and most of them do not understand how big the risks are and/or why we do. Whenever you have a "close call" be aware of the takeaway's and be glad that nothing actually DID happen. Stay grateful.

- Gear-up; "dress for the slide".

I've been commuting on my bike for 7 years now (wow, time flies!), and I must be crazy cuz I'm on the 401 almost everyday in rush hour. I like it 100000000000x more than being in my car! It also allows me to practice slow-speed maneuvers and keeps my observation skills sharp - there is very little margin for error, but it IS consistently doable.

 

[kiwi]

Addendum:



2. Loud pipes save lives.

they also annoy people, give motorcyclists a worse image as dooshbags and really dont save lives. A skills course to make you more proficient rider would actually have more effect in saving your life more. But each to their own beliefs

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