Victorian Rider Handbook 2023 PDF

The Victorian Rider Handbook 2023 The Victorian Rider Handbook More Information If you would like more details on the information Publication information Acknowledgments in this handbook, please contact: Authorised and published by...

The Victorian Rider Handbook 2023 The Victorian Rider Handbook More Information If you would like more details on the information Publication information Acknowledgments in this handbook, please contact: Authorised and published by the A number of organisations have Secretary to the Department of contributed to the preparation of VicRoads Tel: 13 11 71 Transport and Planning, 1 Spring this handbook. Their assistance is Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000 gratefully acknowledged. Latest information on road laws First edition published 1983 VicRider Reference Group: Road laws change from time to time, and so do the knowledge Second edition published 1996 TAC, Victoria Police, FCAI, ARTA, tests. Make sure you have the most recent edition of this Reprinted with amendments RACV, WIMA, DECA, HART, Stay March 2023. Upright, MTA, Armstrongs Driver handbook and any update information sheets relating to Education, VicRoads © Department of Transport and motorcycles. The Road to Solo Driving has details of road laws Special thanks for assistance with Planning and the VicRoads website – vicroads.vic.gov.au – also carries This work is copyright. Apart from photography: information on laws and any changes. uses permitted under the Copyright HART (Honda) Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, Armstrongs Driver Education If you are in doubt, contact VicRoads (Tel: 13 11 71). in whole or in part, by any process Bikes Plus without written permission from Project Management - VicRoads Further help in developing your riding skills the Department of Transport and Development - Dynamic Outcomes „ V  icRoads Accredited Motorcycle Training and Assessment Planning. Writer - Peter Thoeming Service Providers (Accredited Motorcycle Trainers) can Permission is hereby given to copy Photography - Michael McLeod and distribute parts of this work provide advice and help get you started – see page 86 (within the limitations specified in the for details. Most provide advanced rider training courses Copyright Act) for the purposes of as well as those for beginners. bona fide research and instruction provided such copies are made „ D  iscover Safe Riding is designed to help you to build available free of charge. experience and skills once you get on the road. This booklet National Library of Australia cataloguing-in-publication data: is available from the VicRoads website - vicroads.vic.gov.au Victorian rider handbook 2004. 3rd ed. Includes index. ISBN 0 7311 9118 8. 1. Motorcycling - Victoria - Examinations, questions, etc. 2. Traffic safety - Victoria - Examinations, questions, etc. I. Roads Corporation (Vic.). II. Title. 629.2847509945 Contents Contents Using this Handbook 2 Here’s trouble 75 What is an emergency? 76 Getting ready 5 Emergency braking 76 How do I get a Victorian motorcycle licence? 6 Skidding 77 The law for motorcyclists 8 Swerving 78 Beware of….. 14 Over the top 79 On the road 19 One in the eye 79 What to wear 20 Animal warning 80 What to ride 26 Blowout 80 Starting out 30 Mechanical problems 81 Looking ahead and being seen 38 Pulling off the road 82 Dealing with a crash 82 Staying alive 47 Bike security 84 Keep away from trouble 48 Keep a grip 56 Accredited Motorcycle Training and Riding at night 60 Assessment Service Providers 86 Loading up 64 VicRoads Customer Service Centres 87 Riding in a group 68 Look after your bike 72 Index 88 1  Using this handbook This handbook has been produced to help you to become a competent, safe motorcycle rider. It is based on an approach called defensive riding. Anyone going for a Victorian motorcycle learner permit or Victorian motorcycle licence will find it valuable. So will anyone who wants to be up to date with roadcraft and defensive riding – with survival. Whether you are new to motorcycling or coming back after a break, this book is for you. The handbook is divided into sections covering different aspects of riding. You should read them all, and try the ‘Check your understanding’ questions which follow. The questions let you: „ review the information Please keep in mind that getting your licence, even after all „ check your understanding the training, does not necessarily make you a competent and safe rider. Learning to ride in a safe environment, „ become familiar with the style of questions in the Motorcycle Learner Permit Knowledge Test. away from the road, can give you skills, but it is not the same as being out there in the real world with traffic and Road safety is important to all road users, but it is especially unpredictable road conditions. important to motorcyclists. In a crash you have less protection than a driver. Motorcyclists make up more It takes years of practice to learn all the skills and correct than 16% of all Victorian road fatalities and serious injuries riding techniques. As a young or inexperienced rider, you although motorcycles account for less than 1% of travel. are almost three times more likely to be involved in a crash than an experienced rider. In the meantime, this book can be a great help. 2  Using this handbook When it says ‘must’ in this handbook, it is telling you The Accredited Motorcycle Provider must obtain a something that a law specifically requires you to do. clearance from VicRoads prior to you being assessed for When it is advice, it says ‘should’. your Motorcycle Learner Permit or Licence Assessment. When it says ‘bike’, this means any motorcycle (including Further information road, trail, motor scooter and trike). If it is talking about a specific kind of bike (say one with a sidecar) it will use More information, including several other booklets, is more specific terms. Otherwise, it will simply say ‘bike’. available from VicRoads by visiting vicroads.vic.gov.au When it says ‘rider’ it means any motorcycle (including or calling 13 11 71. road, trail, motor scooter and trike) rider. Other helpful publications available include: „ Road to Solo Driving – handbook for new drivers/riders Special note - oral tests More road safety information is available from: If you have trouble reading or writing, an oral test can be arranged. An Accredited Motorcycle Provider „ TAC Motorcycling – spokes.com.au can get an interpreter for you if you have trouble with „ TAC – tacsafety.com.au English. Tell them when you are booking your test if you need an oral test or an interpreter. The locations of Road to Solo Driving Accredited Motorcycle Providers and contact details for VicRoads Customer Service Centres can be found on pages 86 and 87. 3  How do I get a Victorian motorcycle licence? 6 The law for motorcyclists 8 Beware of... 14 Getting ready 4 Getting ready Getting ready Basic things you need to know and do before getting on a bike You may be beginning to ride a bike for the first time, or returning to riding after a break. Either way you need to know about getting a motorcycle learner permit and licence and the laws that apply to newly licensed riders. You also need to know about the hazards for riders and ways you can reduce the risks. Remember it will take time to build your skills and experience. If you want to ride a motorcycle with a manual transmission you should train on a bike with a manual transmission. If you pass the assessment on a bike with an automatic transmission you will be limited to riding these types of bikes for three years unless you are reassessed on a manual bike. 5  How do I get a Victorian motorcycle licence? The licensing process is designed to make sure that you are a competent and safer rider by the time you get your licence. The various stages, training and assessments are designed to give you basic information and skills, but always remember that there is nothing like experience to make riding safer. In general, your assessment must be completed on a two-wheeled bike. You may not attempt the assessment on a bike fitted with a sidecar. The stages of the licensing process are simple. You must be at least 18 years of age and have held your motorcycle learner permit for a continuous period of three months immediately before the motorcycle licence is granted. You then: „ book your motorcycle licence assessment „ provide evidence of identity „ complete the assessment and if you pass, pay for the licence „ receive your motorcycle licence. Tip To find out more about training in your local area, see the list of Accredited Motorcycle Trainers on page 86 or phone VicRoads on 13 11 71. 6  Getting ready How do I get a motorcycle learner permit? How do I get a motorcycle licence? You can apply for a motorcycle learner permit if you are You can apply for a licence if you are at least 18 years old at least 18 years old. The permit is valid for 15 months and have held a current Victorian or interstate motorcycle and cannot be extended. To obtain a new motorcycle learner permit for a continuous period of three months learner permit you must pass the assessments. For details immediately before the motorcycle licence is granted. on the assessments visit vicroads.vic.gov.au. You can also apply for a motorcycle licence if you hold, „ Unless you already have an Australian or New Zealand or have held within the past five years, an interstate or car learner permit or driver licence, you must also pass overseas motorcycle licence (providing that you’re at least the Car Learner Permit Knowledge Test to check your 18 years old and your licence is not suspended). Overseas understanding of road law. This test consists of 32 multiple motorcycle learner permits are not recognised. choice questions based on the Road to Solo Driving To obtain a licence: handbook, to test your knowledge of road law and road „ You must complete a check ride and pass a riding safety. Overseas permit or licence holders should contact skill assessment. For details on the check ride and VicRoads to find out test requirements. the assessment visit vicroads.vic.gov.au. „ You must also pass the Motorcycle Learner Permit „ Unless you already have a driver licence, you must pass Knowledge Test, based on this handbook. The test consists a Hazard Perception Test to see how safely you respond of 32 multiple choice questions on safe riding and on the to traffic situations. law specific to motorcycles. The questions in the ‘Check As the learner permit period cannot be renewed, make your understanding’ sections of this handbook are similar sure you book early for your licence assessment – at least to the actual test questions, but they are not the same. 4 weeks before your learner permit expires. „ You must obtain a medical clearance by VicRoads if you have a medical condition, and successfully complete Fact the assessments. As you will be allowed to ride on If you already hold an Australian car learner permit or the road on your own once you have the permit, it is driver licence which is subject to a condition such as an essential that you are medically fit and have the skills alcohol interlock condition, your motorcycle learner permit to control a motorcycle. or licence will be issued subject to that condition. To understand your obligations, you should seek legal advice. 7  The law for motorcyclists Bike riders must obey the same road laws as drivers. The Road to Solo Driving handbook has general road law information for all road users. There are also some laws that are only for learners or newly licensed riders. Refer to page 9. 8  Getting ready While you are a learner rider, you must: High visibility vest or jacket „ display an ‘L’ plate on the rear of the motorcycle so that All motorcycle learners must wear a high visibility vest it is clearly visible from 20 metres or jacket. „ carry your learner permit at all times when riding A high visibility vest or jacket must meet at least one of (or a receipt until your learner permit is received) the standards listed below and be labelled or marked with „ only ride a bike which is approved under the Learner the appropriate standard. It must also be securely fitted Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) and fastened. „ not carry a pillion passenger (a motorcycle and sidecar The standards for a day and night high visibility vest is acceptable with a passenger) or jacket are: „ ride with zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) „ AS/NZS 4602.1:2011 „ not ride a bike towing a trailer or another vehicle „ International Standard ISO 20471:2013 High visibility clothing - Test methods and requirements „ ride with headlight on at all times „ American National Standard ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 „ wear a securely fitted and fastened high visibility vest High visibility safety apparel & accessories or jacket whilst riding „ ride only a motorcycle fitted with an automatic „ European Standard BS EM471:2003 High visibility warning clothing for professional use. Test methods transmission if you passed the ride assessment on an automatic motorcycle and requirements. „ Not use a phone/device, hands-free or hand-held except for navigation and play or stream audio material if set up before riding. Can make simple audio adjustments (volume/song selection) and navigation changes using inbuilt device only. „ not motorcycle lane filter. 9  What is the law for new licensed riders? The restriction period is 3 years. While you hold a restricted motorcycle licence, you must: Probationary riders must also: „ ride with a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) „ display a ‘P’ plate on the rear of the bike that is clearly visible from 20 metres „ only ride a bike which is approved under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) „ ride with a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) „ not carry a pillion passenger (a motorcycle and sidecar „ carry your licence at all times when riding (or a receipt is acceptable with a passenger) until your licence is received) „ not ride a bike towing a trailer or another vehicle „ Not use a phone/device, hands-free or hand-held except for navigation and play or stream audio material if set up „ ride with headlight on at all times before riding. Can make simple audio adjustments (volume/ „ ride only a motorcycle fitted with an automatic transmission song selection) and simple navigation adjustments using if you passed the ride assessment on an automatic inbuilt device only when riding. motorcycle „ carry your licence at all times when riding (or a receipt until your licence is received) „ Not use a phone/device, hands-free or hand-held except for navigation and play or stream audio material if set up before riding. Can make simple audio adjustments (volume/song selection) and simple navigation adjustments using inbuilt device only when riding. 10 Helmets Hook turns Riders and their passengers must wear helmets that When turning right bikes must make hook turns where are approved to the following standards: these are indicated, and must make them exactly as cars „ AS 1698-1988 do. See Road to Solo Driving for a description of hook turns. „ AS/NZS 1698:2006 (or any later version of that standard) Motorcycle lane filtering „ ECE 22.05 (or any later version of that standard). Lane filtering is when a motorcycle or scooter travels All helmets must be marked to show that they are certified at low speeds through stopped or slow moving traffic as meeting the standard. Please see VicRoads website for unless otherwise signed. more information on certification marks. Motorcycle learner permit holders are not permitted to lane filter. Parking Unless otherwise signed, you may legally park a bike (but not Use of helmet devices for navigation to play a trike) on the footpath in Victoria as long as you do not or stream audio material obstruct pedestrians, delivery vehicles, public transport Motorcycle helmet devices include head-up displays, users or parked cars. communicators and cameras on the helmet. Do not park: As a probationary or restricted rider, you can only use „ near or on service access points such as Telstra a motorcycle helmet device for navigation and to play pit covers and post boxes or stream audio material, and only if setup before riding. „ too close to the building line, as this can create If you are using a communicator to play or stream audio an obstruction to vision impaired pedestrians. material, you cannot control the communicator using voice For more information visit vicroads.vic.gov.au commands or touch it while riding. 11  If you are a fully licensed rider, you can use a motorcycle helmet device to make and receive phone calls, and for navigation and to play or stream audio material. However, it is recommended that the use of motorcycle helmet devices be minimised for your safety. Lane splitting and restricted lanes Avoid lane splitting, which is riding between lines of moving vehicles at over 30km/h. You must not ride your motorcycle in tram lanes, bus lanes, bicycle lanes or other lanes designated for special vehicles. Exceptions permitted under the road rules are when entering or leaving the road or where you otherwise have to cross the lane, or where signs indicate you may do so. See the Road to Solo Driving for more details. Passenger Only one pillion passenger may be carried if your licence is not restricted. The passenger must be provided with footpegs and their feet must reach these footpegs. The pillion passenger must sit astride the motor bike and behind the rider, face forward and keep both feet on the footpegs. Children under eight years of age must not travel as passengers on motor bikes. However, they are still permitted to travel in a sidecar. 12  Getting ready Travelling in a sidecar Check your understanding When a sidecar is used, it must not carry more than the number of passengers for which it is designed. Answers to these review questions are upside down at the bottom of this page. Carrying animals Animals must not be carried between the handlebars and 1. You are riding with a pillion passenger, the rider of a motor bike. However, there is an exemption the pillion passenger: for farmers travelling up to 500 metres on a road when A. can sit sideways undertaking farming activities. B. is allowed to face rearward Vehicle impoundment C. can be 9 years old The vehicle impoundment laws (also known as hoon laws) apply to riders of motor bikes. Your motor bike may be 2. Angela holds both probationary car and probationary impounded by the police if you are detected committing an motorcycle licences. When riding her motorcycle she: offence such as excessive speeding, improper use of a motor A. must display a ‘P’ plate on the rear of her motorcycle vehicle (for example burnouts), or driving while disqualified. B. does not need to display a ‘P’ plate Crash management C. must display a ‘P’ plate on the front and rear of Your responsibilities if you are involved in a crash are exactly her motorcycle the same as for a driver. For full details, see Road to Solo 3. Steve holds a probationary licence. He may legally Driving. This booklet also has a lot of other information ride his bike if: about road laws. A. he has not had a drink for a while B. he has no alcohol in his blood, that is, his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is zero C. he has a BAC below.05 ANSWERS 1C 2A 3B 13  Beware of... There are more hazards out on the road than a beginner can imagine, so it makes sense to try to be ready for anything. Riders returning after a break will find that the number of vehicles on the road and the speeds at which they can travel have increased significantly and motorcycles are different too. Build up your skills gradually – by getting used to riding in daylight, for example, before tackling night riding. You are almost twice as likely to have a crash in your first 8 months on the road, and it takes some time for the odds to get much better. In the meantime, give yourself an extra margin of safety by slowing down, giving yourself more space on the road and thinking well ahead. Ride with the right attitude – don’t be overconfident, impatient or in the wrong mood to ride, such as when you are angry or upset. Experience will teach you to identify potential dangers, work out just how dangerous they are and how best to cope with them. Sections Staying Alive and Here’s trouble of this handbook contain more about hazards and how to detect and handle them. But there are some things that stay dangerous no matter how much experience you have. 14  Getting ready Alcohol Other drugs or medical conditions The law says that road users with a full licence must have Any kind of drug, legal or illegal, could make you drowsy, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) below.05g/100ml. dizzy, weak or otherwise less capable of riding a motorcycle. Riders holding a learner permit, a probationary licence or That is why it is an offence to ride while impaired by a drug. a restricted motorcycle licence must have a zero BAC. Check with a pharmacist or doctor to see if the drugs you There is a good reason for these restrictions. are taking are likely to affect your riding. Combining drugs Alcohol combined with riding is dangerous because it: with alcohol or other drugs can be especially dangerous. „ affects your judgement and reduces your ability to judge Cannabis is a major concern because it may reduce riding risks including distance and your own and other vehicles’ skills, cause lapses in attention and reduce your ability to speed process information. „ affects your sense of balance Police may undertake roadside saliva testing of drivers „ gives you a false sense of confidence, which may and riders to detect the presence of speed or Ice encourage you to take risks (Methamphetamine), cannabis (THC) and ecstasy (MDMA). „ makes it difficult to concentrate and do more than one Driving with these drugs in the blood or saliva is an offence thing at a time – as well as possibly not being in control and penalties (including licence loss) will apply. of your bike, you may simply not see hazards, or not react If you have a medical condition which might affect your to them properly ability to ride, such as diabetes or epilepsy, you must check „ slows your reaction time, making you more likely to crash. with VicRoads whether you are eligible for a permit or licence. If you develop such a condition once you have If you are a drink driving offender and have been disqualified a permit or licence you must advise VicRoads. from driving then, after completing your disqualification, it is likely that when you get your licence or permit back, you will need to have an alcohol interlock fitted to your motorcycle. Tip An alcohol interlock prevents the motorcycle starting if the If in doubt about any kind of drug you’ve taken, don’t ride. rider has been drinking alcohol. 15  Tiredness Relying on other road users for your safety Riding a motorcycle is harder and more physically tiring Relying on other road users for your safety can be a major than driving a car. It can tire you more quickly. Tiredness, hazard. Always remember that you are responsible for your or fatigue, makes it more difficult for you to make decisions, own safety. Don’t ever rely on other road users to look after especially quick decisions. Being tired affects concentration, you. Even if you are wearing high visibility clothing and balance and vision. Riding smoothly, which is the safest making eye contact, do not assume that they have seen you. way to ride, is almost impossible when you are tired. Make your riding less tiring by: „ protecting yourself from the weather with proper clothing - heat and dehydration will tire you just as surely as Tip cold and rain, and full protective clothing will help prevent Motorcycling is a complex activity that constantly challenges dehydration you. You may not be able to meet the challenge if you’re not „ avoiding alcohol and drugs fully alert. Avoid riding when you are tired. „ planning regular, frequent stops into your trip „ being well rested before you start „ not riding during those times when you would normally be asleep. 16  Beware of... Check your understanding Answers to these review questions are upside down at the 3. Here are three types of drugs which people bottom of this page. sometimes take: alcohol, medicines prescribed by a doctor and medicines sold by a chemist. Which 1. You are planning a trip to Adelaide, but you have a drug may affect your riding? cold. You want to take medication. You should A. Only alcohol A. take some medicine to make you feel better B. Only medicines given to you by your doctor B. ask your doctor or pharmacist whether the cold C. All three types medicine will make you sleepy or drowsy C. try to get there as quickly as possible so that you can rest when you arrive 2. You are planning to ride to Sydney from Melbourne. It is a perfect summer’s day with the temperature around 25 degrees Celsius. You should plan to: A. get there in eight hours because the conditions are so good B. get there with only one stop because the conditions are so good C. make regular, frequent stops to keep yourself alert ANSWERS 1B 2C 3C 17  What to wear 20 What to ride 26 Starting out 30 Looking ahead and being seen 38 On the road 18 On the road On the road Making choices and staying in control One of the most valuable resources you have as a beginner rider, or as someone coming back to riding, is the knowledge and experience of other motorcyclists. Use it. Ask around when you are considering buying a bike, clothing or accessories. Ask about anything you’re not sure of. But always make sure you balance advice; read up on the subject too, and ask more than one person. Don’t just collect the prejudices of others. Accredited Motorcycle Trainers can provide good advice as well as training. 19  What to wear Helmet By law, every rider and passenger, including pillion and sidecar passengers, must wear a helmet that is certified to meet Australian Standard AS 1698, AS/NZ 1698 or European Standard ECE 22.05. The helmet must be securely fitted and fastened on your head. Don’t underrate this. A helmet will reduce the chance of serious head injury if you crash, and may well keep you alive. Your helmet must be marked to show that it complies with the AS 1698, AS/NZS 1698 standard or European standard ECE 22.05. A face shield or visor must meet the Australian Standard AS 1609 or meet appropriate European standard. For helmets manufactured or imported from 1 July 2012, the helmet must be marked with the symbol of a body accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ), certifying compliance with the relevant standard. For more information on the certification marks visit vicroads.vic.gov.au. Details of current accredited bodies can be found at jas-anz.org Look for this marking when you buy a helmet Wearing the right gear is vital to your safety and comfort – and do not remove it. If your helmet does not have the if you aren’t comfortable, you aren’t safe, either. But always sticker, you could be fined. remember that even the best safety equipment won’t Buy a new helmet that fits snugly and securely when done protect you from everything. Ride just as carefully as you up. Helmet interiors are designed to mould to one head would if you were out there without it! shape; anyone else wearing that helmet will have limited 20  On the road protection. Although it may not be noticeable, used helmets may also be damaged. Checklist Even the best helmets are designed to take only one impact. You will not necessarily be able to see damage, so buy a Your helmet must fit snugly and securely when new helmet. done up, and show that it is certified to meet Even dropping a helmet on the ground can damage it. the following standards: Helmets deteriorate with use and even in storage. Look for „ AS 1698-1988 wear such as loose or compressed padding and exposed „ AS/NZS 1698:2006 (or any later version of that metal, and damage like cracks and frayed straps. A new standard) helmet only costs money, whereas an old one could result in brain damage. „ ECE 22.05 (or any later version of that standard). Get a helmet that can be easily seen. If other road users can see you, even in poor light or bad weather, they can Your helmet should: avoid you. But don’t ever rely on others seeing you! The „ be bought new responsibility for staying out of trouble is yours. „ be in good condition „ be checked regularly „ be easily seen „ be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s Tip instructions Clean your helmet with mild soap and water. Don’t use „ be replaced if it has received a hard knock. solvents like petrol or methylated spirits, because these can attack the material of the helmet. For the same reason, avoid painting your helmet or applying stickers. 21  Eye and face protection Clothing Your face and especially your eyes need protection from For the legal requirements for high visibility vests or jackets the wind, dust, rain, insects and stones. Visors or goggles refer to page 9. (worn with some helmets like the ones used for dirt bikes) Motorcycle clothing is designed to protect you from give this protection. If you wear sunglasses instead, make injury, and should help you to be seen. It should also be sure that they really do protect your eyes and that they are comfortable and keep you warm. impact resistant. Tinted eye protection must not be worn Being seen is an obvious aid to safety. To protect you from at night because it makes it difficult for you to see properly. injury, motorcycle clothing will have padding and be made Scratches on the surface of any eye protection can blur and of special abrasion-resistant material. Leather probably still distort light at night and should be replaced. offers the best abrasion protection, but may not be suitable in hot, wet or cold conditions. Synthetic textile-based jackets and pants are now available and many of them are highly effective. Checklist Good gear will be designed to stay comfortable even after some time on the bike, and will not balloon out or flap. Wet Your face shield or visor must meet Australian Standard weather gear will keep you dry, and should also be brightly AS 1609 or appropriate European standard. There is no coloured because visibility may be poor when you are Australian Standard for goggles or sunglasses specific to wearing it. motorcycle use, but any eye protection you Proper motorcycle clothing will also be warm or offer use should: ventilation, depending on the season. All of these things are „ be free of scratches important because discomfort, heat and cold will reduce „ be impact resistant your concentration, slow your reflexes and make you less able to control your bike properly. Several manufacturers „ not restrict your vision to either side now offer well-vented clothing for summer. „ be fastened securely so that it does not rattle For all of these reasons it is worth buying proper motorcycle or blow off clothing. Use your information sources – talk to experienced riders, read up on different items of clothing and ask questions in bike shops. 22  On the road Choose the right full protective gear to suit the weather conditions. Warm weather riding gear Wet weather riding comes in a range of styles. It gear includes jackets includes pants such as these and pants that have with plenty of protection, but interlocking zippers that look the same as jeans. to prevent leakage. 23  Checklist Jackets and pants (or one-piece suits) should: „ be equipped with protectors at elbows and knees, and preferably spine, hips, shoulders and chest as well „ cover your arms and legs completely, even in hot weather „ fit snugly at neck, wrists, ankles and waist when you are riding „ keep you comfortable „ be brightly coloured „ be securely fastened. Leather riding suit. 24  On the road Checklist Checklist Gloves or gauntlets should: Boots should: „ be designed for motorcycle riding, with fingers that „ be designed for motorcycle riding and be made of allow you to use the bike’s controls easily and give strong leather or a strong synthetic material with you a good, comfortable grip reinforcements „ be made of strong leather or a high-quality synthetic „ cover your ankles, preferably with some kind of material reinforcement „ fit snugly and securely (especially around the wrists) „ have strong non-slip soles to prevent them coming off in a crash. „ not have rings, laces, other bits sticking out or elastic sides - they could slip off or catch on the motorcycle and be pulled off in a crash, leaving your feet unprotected. 25  What to ride Choosing a motorcycle is one of the most enjoyable things a rider does, and it can have a major impact on how much you enjoy your riding and how safe you are. If you use your information sources – talk to experienced riders, read up on different bikes and ask questions in bike shops – you’re most likely to end up with the best choice for you. One of the best sources of information is your Accredited Motorcycle Trainer. Also consider the various safety technology now available such as Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) system when choosing a new motorcycle. 26  On the road Types of bikes Road bikes and trikes are designed Motor scooters are small Road/trail bikes range from small and to travel on sealed surfaces and have two-wheelers, usually with a light machines right up to huge, heavy appropriate road tyres. lot of bodywork and the engine adventure tourers. mounted at the back on the swingarm. Tip There are also off-road bikes that are designed for recreational riding, such as motocross and track racing. Others in this class are ag (agricultural) bikes, intended for farm use, and recreational four-wheelers. Usually none of them can be registered for on-road use. 27  Which bike is right for you? Riding off-road You must only ride a bike which is approved under the If you go riding off-road (often Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) whilst called dirt riding) in places such you hold a motorcycle learner permit and a restricted as State Forests, State Parks and motorcycle licence. National Parks there are some You should feel comfortable and in control while handling things you need to remember. the bike, which means it should not be too tall or too heavy „ Your bike must be registered for you. (full or recreation registration) and roadworthy, and you Riding someone else’s bike must hold an appropriate It can be risky to ride a borrowed or rented bike. You will permit or licence. be unfamiliar with its controls and responses, and even if „ Your learner permit and licence conditions still apply. it is the same model as your own, it may not be in good „ You must wear an approved helmet, and you should wear mechanical condition. Ideally you should get as much protective clothing. Bike shops stock this as ‘enduro’ or experience on your own bike, before attempting to ride a ‘motocross’ (MX) gear. borrowed or rented bike. If in doubt, don’t ride an unfamiliar bike. However, if riding an unfamiliar bike you should: „ In Victoria, bikes with recreation registration may only be ridden on local roads outside built-up areas. Built-up „ familiarise yourself with the controls areas are defined by speed zones of less than 100 km/h. „ make all the same safety checks you would make with your They must not be ridden on freeways and arterial roads own bike as specified in the Road Management Act 2004. „ ride more cautiously than you would on your own bike. „ If you are riding a bike with recreation registration, you must not carry any load (including panniers) or a pillion passenger. „ If you go off the beaten track, you should advise someone reliable where you are going and when you expect to return. 28  On the road Check your understanding Answers to these review questions are upside down at the 2. The main reason for wearing clothing designed for bottom of this page. motorcycling is that it: 1. Jane sees a range of secondhand helmets for sale at a A. protects you from the weather garage sale. They all look new and some are in bright B. helps protect you in a fall colours. She should: C. both of the above A. choose the one with the brightest colour and 3. Shane has just passed his motorcycle learner permit a full visor and has the chance to ride his friend’s new motorcycle. B. not buy a secondhand helmet as she may be unable Before he rides he should: to see any damage to it A. check that the fuel tap is on reserve C. not buy a secondhand helmet without speaking to B. reconsider and choose not to ride an unfamiliar bike the previous owner C. ride with his friend as a pillion passenger ANSWERS 1B 2C 3B 29  Starting out No matter what bike you choose to ride it needs to be set up to suit you. Making the right adjustments from the start will not only make your bike more comfortable to ride, it will also improve your ability to control the bike. In addition to these adjustments there are a number of important checks to make every time before you ride. 30  On the road A simple guide to the parts of a motorcycle Check the owner’s manual for information about your bike. Front brake lever - Throttle the clutch lever is on the left side Speedometer Shock absorber Turn indicator lamp Rear brake disc - on right side Swingarm Gearshift lever - rear brake pedal Front brake disc Front brake calliper is on the right side Footpeg Chain 31  Setting up for yourself and your bike You need to be You and your bike are partners out there on the road, and comfortable, but in good control like any partners you should make sure that you can get of the bike. along. This will require a bit of adjustment from each of you. Some of these comments will not apply to scooters, because they are built differently. Personalise your bike „ Some bikes allow you to adjust the height of the seat. Set it so your feet are comfortably flat on the ground when you are sitting on the bike. „ Adjust the gear and rear brake levers up or down so that they are within comfortable reach of your feet. Remember that you need to move the gear lever up and down, not just down like the brake lever. If you are not sure how to do this, ask your Accredited Motorcycle Trainer or bike shop for advice. „ If the handlebars are adjustable, set them so they are comfortable. If you can’t get them comfortable, consider replacing them or changing the clamps that hold them. „ If your bike has adjustable clutch and front brake levers, set Hold the them so that they are in easy reach of your fingers. handgrips firmly and keep your wrists low with the knuckles at the highest point. 32  On the road Set yourself up Checks to make before each ride „ Your posture should be comfortable while allowing good You should check your bike before each ride. Your safety control of the bike. Keep your head up and your line of begins with your machine. sight level with the road. Your arms should not be feeling too much strain from holding up your body. Controls „ Sit close enough to the handlebars so you can reach them „ Brakes should work smoothly. The front and rear brakes with your arms slightly bent. You should be able to turn the should each stop the bike when fully applied separately. bars without stretching. „ Clutch and throttle should work smoothly and the throttle „ Hold the handgrips firmly and keep your wrists low with the should snap shut when you let it go. knuckles at the highest point. This gives you good control „ Make sure cables are lubricated and there are no visible of the throttle while making it easy to reach the clutch and kinks or broken strands. brake levers. „ To maintain posture while braking and absorb shocks from the front end of the bike, your elbows should be slightly bent and tucked in. „ Grasp the fuel tank firmly with your knees to balance the bike and keep control when turning, slowing or speeding up. „ Keep your feet on the footpegs while the bike is moving, ready to use the foot controls. Tip Your Accredited Motorcycle Trainer is the best person to teach you the basics of starting off, using the gears, braking, cornering and turning. If you are uncertain about anything, make sure you ask. Do a safety check before each ride. 33  Tyres and chain „ Check that the chain (if the bike has one) is lubricated „ Check tyre pressures when the tyres are cold. Correct and the tension adjusted correctly. The owner’s manual pressures should be listed on a sticker on the bike (possibly will have details of how to do this. on the swingarm) and in the owner’s manual. Mirrors „ Check that the tread depth is more than 1.5mm all over „ Clean and adjust the mirrors before you start. It is the tyre tread. Less than this is illegal and very dangerous. dangerous to do this when you are moving. The sidewalls of the tyres should be free of cracks or bumps. „ You should be able to see just past your body, and as „ Make sure that the tyre tread is free of cuts, nails or cracks. much as possible of the traffic next to you and behind you. Adjust your mirrors so you can see as much as possible of the traffic next to you and behind. 34  On the road Lights & signals „ Check that all lights and indicators are clean and in working Checklist order. Indicators must flash and be bright enough to be seen. The headlight must be adjusted properly so that Before you ride each time check: it is not too high or too low. Both low and high beams „ brakes are working must work. Check that the tail light works, and that the brake light works when you apply the hand and foot brakes. „ clutch and throttle are working smoothly „ Test the horn. „ cables are lubricated „ tyre pressures are correct and look for tyre wear Fuel & oil „ chain is lubricated and adjusted „ Check the fuel level and don’t ride with the fuel tap on reserve until it is necessary. „ lights, indicators and horn are working „ Check the oil level. The engine needs oil and could seize „ mirrors are clean and adjusted if the level drops too far. This will do damage to the engine „ there is enough fuel and oil and could lead to a crash. „ you are dressed in the right gear Yourself! „ you are fit to ride „ Check that you are dressed safely and properly (see pages 20-25). „ your mood and attitude is right to ride safely. „ Make sure you are fit to ride and not tired (fatigued) or impaired by alcohol or drugs (see pages 15-16). „ Make sure you are in the mood and have the right attitude. Riding while angry or in any other high emotional state could make you careless or aggressive. „ Decide when to ride and when not to ride. 35  Check your understanding Answers to these review questions are upside down at the bottom of this page. 1. Glenn has just taken delivery of a new motorcycle. He should: A. immediately take it out for a run on the open road to see how it goes B. adjust the controls and, if possible, handlebars and seat to suit himself C. take all his friends on rides to show them how much fun motorcycling is 2. Anne is trying to show her sister how to sit on the motorcycle in the correct position. She should sit: A. at the back of the seat with her arms straight so that she can turn quickly B. close to the handlebars so she can bend over the front of the bike and see the road ahead more clearly C. close enough to the handlebars to reach them with her arms slightly bent so she can turn without having to stretch ANSWERS 1B 2C 36 On the road 37  Looking ahead and being seen Being visible is not a guarantee of safety on the road, but it is the beginning of being safer. As a motorcyclist you need to do as much as you can to help make yourself be seen, but do not assume that being seen is enough. You need to be able to see clearly around you and to anticipate – think ahead and be ready to respond before things happen. Your safety is in your own hands at all times. Remember that you are sharing the road with others – drivers, riders, pedestrians, cyclists, trucks, buses and trams. So ride cooperatively in traffic, and help everyone get to where they are going safely. 38  On the road Looking ahead A very large part of road safety is anticipation – being ready to respond to things before they happen. That’s not as hard as it sounds; in fact, it’s one of the things you learn as you go along. People who have been riding for a while become very good at it, which is one reason why they’re usually safer. You can help yourself with this by looking ahead. Here are a few examples: „ When riding around a corner, try to position yourself on the road so you can see through the corner. „ Lean with your bike while you turn, keeping your head up and line of sight level with the road. Turn your head, look where you want to go and ride smoothly. „ When pulling out from the kerb, position your bike at an angle so you can see the traffic in both directions. „ If you are making a U-turn, have a clear view of traffic in both directions. „ At intersections, don’t count on other vehicles giving you the right of way. Approach intersections slowly and carefully. „ Watch the road ahead by looking through or over the top of other vehicles. 39  Good positioning „ When riding on a multi-lane road, avoid the centre lane Place yourself on the road where you can see and be seen. unless there is a median strip, otherwise you will have to watch out for traffic going in both directions. Ride in the „ Ride in the right-hand wheel track of the road, where you right-hand wheel track when travelling in the left lane and can be seen in both the rear vision mirror and the external the left-hand wheel track if you are riding in the right lane. mirror of the car in front of you. You can also see vehicles coming the other way, and be seen by them. Normally „ When overtaking on a multi-lane road where there is no the road surface will be best here as well, without the oil median strip with traffic in both directions maximise the slick that can form in the centre of the lane or the broken distance from other vehicles. Ride in the centre of the lane pavement and loose gravel at the edge of the road. but watch out for oil slicks. Avoid riding in blind spots Keep a safe distance Try to avoid riding in the Try to maximise the centre of the distance from other lane and be vehicles. However, watch aware of driver’s out for oil slicks if riding in blind spots. the centre of a lane. 40  On the road Approaching an intersection Driver’s line of sight Be aware of the driver’s line of sight. Anticipate blind spots and move to where the driver can see you. When approaching an intersection be aware of a driver’s line of sight so you can be seen. The rider here should take care, as the driver of the blue car may not be able to see him approaching. 41  Place yourself where you are as safe as possible If you are riding with your high beam on at night, you must „ By placing yourself where you can see and be seen, you are switch to low beam when an approaching vehicle is within ‘claiming’ the lane and discouraging drivers from trying to 200 metres or when the other vehicle’s headlight dips, share it. Sharing lanes is dangerous. whichever is sooner. When riding 200 metres or less behind another vehicle you must also dip your headlight. Use „ Don’t ride in the blind spots that all cars have behind and common sense, and make sure you don’t dazzle others with beside them. Try to ride where you can see the driver’s eyes in the car’s mirror – that means the driver can see you too. your headlight. See pages 60-61 for more information on riding at night. „ Most crashes between a bike and a car happen at intersections, so place yourself where you can be seen Indicators and brake lights and have as much room as possible to move. Indicators and brake lights remind other road users that you „ Slow down when there are cars about at intersections. are there and tell them what you are about to do. They need Not all the drivers may be able to see you. to be able to look ahead just as much as you do, and this „ Try to make eye contact with drivers coming in the opposite way you give them the information they need. direction, to make sure they know you are there – but don’t Before you turn, change lanes or merge you must use rely on that! Be ready to stop or take evasive action. your indicators, even if you can’t see another vehicle. Just because you don’t see another vehicle, it does not mean Headlight it isn’t there. For a rider issued with a motorcycle learner permit or a Send clear messages to the other traffic. Turn your indicator restricted licence on or after 1 October 2014 the motorcycle off when it is not needed. If you leave it on after you’ve headlight must be turned on at all times. made the turn you are giving the wrong message, which Riding with your headlight on during the day can greatly could be dangerous. enhance your chances of being seen, especially on dull You can also make yourself more obvious to following traffic days, but don’t rely on the headlight alone. If you have your by braking gently and flashing your brake light, so they know headlight on during the day, always use low beam. that you are about to slow down. 42  On the road Accurate signals Sound your horn Sound your horn as a warning in case of danger. It may let other road users who have not seen you know that you are there. Never rely on the horn though, because it may not be heard. Be ready to get out of the way of the danger yourself. Be prepared to react Giving the Don’t rely on your wrong signals horn to warn other could lead to drivers. Always be danger. prepared to react. 43  Be bright… For a rider issued with a learner permit on or after 1 October 2014 they must wear a high visibility vest or jacket (refer page 9). Consider wearing a brightly coloured or reflective helmet and clothing. Yellow, orange and red are colours which stand out against most backgrounds. Reflective tape on your clothing or your bike works well at night, and a reflective vest is more noticeable to drivers behind you than a tail light. …but don’t rely on drivers seeing you No matter how visible you are on the road, there may still be drivers who simply don’t see you, or who don’t obey the road rules. You need to keep an eye out for these drivers and be ready to take care of yourself. 44  On the road Check your understanding 2. The three best ways to make yourself more visible are: Answers to these review questions are upside down at A ride with your headlight on, ride where you the bottom of this page. can be seen and wear bright clothing B sound your horn, keep to the left of the road 1. Tom is about to pull out from the kerb to join the and flash your headlight traffic flow. He should: C all of the above A accelerate as quickly as possible so that he is going faster than the traffic, and it can’t catch him 3. At an intersection you should: B put on his indicator because that gives him right A change lanes to get past other vehicles of way B choose a lane position which will enable you C make sure he positions the bike so he can see the to be seen by other drivers traffic in both directions before pulling out C sound your horn and then speed through as quickly as possible ANSWERS 1C 2A 3B 45  Keep away from trouble 48 Keep a grip 56 Riding at night 60 Loading up 64 Riding in a group 68 Looking after your bike 72 Staying alive 46 Staying alive Staying alive Anticipation and skill make riding safer and enjoyable The one thing above all others that will keep you safer on the road is your attitude. You can learn as many skills as you like, and be the most technically skilled rider around, but you can throw it all away because you can’t be bothered thinking before you act. Make no mistake about it, the road is a dangerous place, especially on a bike. Staying alive while you are out there is your responsibility. 47  Keep away from trouble It might sound simple, but what can’t get at you can’t hurt you. So it makes sense to stay as far away as possible from the things that can hurt you on the road. Survival space The consequences of an error, yours or someone else’s, can be very serious for you as a rider. Survival space is the best protection you can have. The more space you have around you, the more time you have to see trouble and work out a way of avoiding it. Of course, that only works if you keep your eyes open and your mind alert. In front This is the distance between your bike and the vehicle you are following, and you have control over it. As an inexperienced rider, you should try to keep a 3 second gap between you and the vehicle in front, so you: „ have more time to stop in an emergency „ are able to see much better over the top of and around the vehicle in front of you „ can see traffic signals, road signs and hazards well ahead „ be able to avoid potholes and other road surface hazards „ have more time to plan your response „ look, slow down and move away Keep a survival space between you and the traffic around you. 48 „ start wide and finish tight in curves.  Staying alive You are also increasing the safety margin of the traffic To the side behind you. Motorcyclists have an advantage over car drivers. You can If you are too close, you may pay too much attention to move from one side of your lane to the other to increase the vehicle in front of you instead of thinking for yourself. distance from other vehicles. Experienced riders move lane There are times when you will want to be even further than position depending on traffic – but they always check their 3 seconds away. They include: mirrors and do a headcheck before they do! „ poor riding conditions with reduced visibility, perhaps at Consider changing your lane position when: night or in rain and fog „ You are being overtaken or passed by another vehicle. „ on a wet or otherwise slippery road There is no point in being closer to another vehicle than you need to be. Nearly a quarter of all collisions between „ on gravel or other unpredictable road surfaces bikes and other vehicles involve vehicles coming from „ on a high speed road such as a main highway – almost the opposite or adjacent direction. 40% of road fatalities involving motorcyclists have occurred where the speed limit is 100 km/h Being overtaken Being passed „ being behind a big vehicle like a truck or bus, which is hard to see around. Whatever you do, don’t tailgate (ride too close behind another vehicle). No matter how good your brakes are, in the real world a car can almost always out-brake an inexperienced rider in an emergency. More importantly tailgating does not allow for sufficient reaction time regardless of how good your brakes are. If you tailgate it is also harder to see obstacles or hazards on the road ahead. 49  „ You are near a large truck or bus. They can cause wind „ A driver is pulling out from Watch for parked cars blasts that affect your control. the kerb. Some people don’t check properly if there is „ You are approaching an intersection. Place yourself where traffic coming up, and bikes you have the best possible vision and are well clear of other can be hard to see. traffic. About half of all collisions between bikes and cars happen at intersections. If you see a car that could turn into „ A driver is pulling out from your path, or pull out on you, assume that it will and be the kerb. The car might do a ready for it. U-turn instead of just going straight ahead, so approach „ You are passing parked cars, or vehicles waiting to turn left. carefully. Be ready to swerve Keep to the right part of the lane, away from the possibility or stop and to sound your of doors opening or pedestrians stepping out from horn as a warning. between cars. „ You find yourself sharing a lane. You need a full lane to Beware at intersections yourself to be able to move safely if a problem comes up, instead of being trapped Keep clear of parked cars. in a small space that could disappear. It is unsafe to ride between rows of cars even when one or both rows are stopped. A car door could open, a pedestrian might suddenly appear or a car might move over and close the space you need. To stop cars from sharing your lane, position yourself so you are not riding at the extreme edge of your lane. At an intersection keep well clear of other traffic and assume cars may turn into your path. 50  Staying alive „ There is another vehicle alongside, in the next lane. Don’t Passing a car ride next to other vehicles if you don’t have to – they restrict the space you have to move, and they may move over on you at any time. Move forward or drop back until Increase the distance you are in a free space. between your motorcycle and the „ Vehicles are merging. At places such as freeway entrance merging vehicle. ramps, make room for entering traffic by changing speed or changing lanes. Behind Unfortunately the driver behind you has more control over the space between you than you do. If someone is too close (tailgating), drop back yourself to increase the survival space between you and the car in front. Then let the tailgater overtake you. Such drivers are better in front of you, where you can keep an eye on them. Scanning This is a vital part of being safe. Experienced riders not only ride smoothly, they also continuously take in their Scanning does not necessarily mean looking directly at environment. Watch someone who has been riding for a everything. You can see out of the corner of your eye and few years and you will see that they scan – their heads and as your eyes pass over things. You can be aware of the eyes move constantly. Instead of focusing on any one part footpath, of the behaviour of someone in a parked car of the road they are looking up close, then far away, then nearby and of the driver of a car four vehicles in front of to the right and the left – they are taking in the entire road you, and you can do it all without being distracted. Sort environment without ever losing sight of the vital stretch the information in order of its importance to you. It takes right in front of them. practice, but it’s worth learning. 51  Beware of other traffic Use the height advantage you have on a motorcycle and look over cars in front of you. Use that advantage to see Make sure you what you’re getting into. Scanning also gives you a chance do a headcheck to check the road surface well ahead for potholes, loose before changing gravel and other potential hazards. lanes or a situation like this may occur. Combine a glance in the mirrors and headchecks to give you a picture of what’s happening behind you. Do this often and quickly, because what’s behind you is part of your environment too, but always get your eyes back to the front quickly. Check the mirrors even when you are stopped, because you may need to get out of someone’s way. When merging, changing lanes or leaving the kerb always do a headcheck of the lane next to you and your own lane, before you move. Another vehicle may be headed for your space, and it may not be visible in your mirrors. Tip A headcheck involves looking over your shoulder to see things behind and to the side. But remember, don’t take your eyes off the road ahead for more than a second. 52  Staying alive Planning Another really good plan to stay out of trouble is to not There are two kinds of planning you can do – tactical and ride with other riders who have no respect for their own strategic. safety. If someone rides irresponsibly on a bike, you don’t want to be there (or even be in the way) when something Tactical planning involves looking ahead as you ride to see goes wrong. potential trouble, and deciding what to do about it before you get there. It can help you to avoid emergency stops The 3 second gap and wild swerves. Experienced riders know that other road Measuring a safe following distance is simple. users make mistakes and try to plan their reaction before When the vehicle ahead of you passes a tree, a power pole it happens. It is also good planning to be sure how you will or something similar, use that as a reference point and start get back into your lane before overtaking, and how you will counting – “one thousand and one, one thousand and two, complete complicated turns. one thousand and three”. Strategic planning is done before you leave on your ride. If you get to the tree or other reference point before you Consider the alternative ways of getting to where you want finish counting, you are too close. After a while you will get to go, and pick the safest and easiest. If you are on a small, good at estimating this gap, although you should still check low capacity bike avoid freeways; if you are on a big tourer, yourself every now and then. stay out of heavy and congested traffic; and so on. The 3 second gap 3 second gap Try to keep a 3 second gap between you and the vehicle ahead. 53  Check your understanding Answers to these review questions are upside down 3. When you are being followed too closely you at the bottom of the next page. should: A travel faster to increase the distance between you 1. The gap between your motorcycle and the vehicle and the tailgater ahead, in good conditions, should be at least: B brake several times to let the driver know that you A 2 seconds think he is driving dangerously B 3 seconds C increase the space in front of your motorcycle so C 4 seconds you have more time to react, if you need to 2. Peter is riding along a freeway in the left lane. Cars 4. Scanning involves: are moving on to the freeway from the entrance A studying the movements of the car ahead of you ramp. He should: B looking at the road just ahead of you A accelerate to get ahead of them C moving your eyes from side to side to look at the B continue to travel at the same pace and position whole road scene as it is their responsibility to merge into the traffic safely C adjust his speed to increase the distance between his bike and the merging traffic 54  Staying alive 5. Before changing lanes always do a final: A sound of your horn B headcheck C flash of your brake lights 6. To prevent other drivers sharing your lane you should: A ride to the right of your lane B ride to the left of your lane C not ride at the extreme sides of your lane ANSWERS 1B 2C 3C 4C 5B 6C 55  Keep a grip Consider that the two patches of rubber connecting you A pothole or other to the road surface are about the same size as the palm problems with the of your hand. Make sure they can do their job. There are road surface can several things that will make it harder for them. cause you to lose control. The risk of losing control of a bike can increase because of deterioration in the road surface, such as potholes, wheel ruts or grooves, slippery surfaces and loose gravel. Just under half of bike casualty crashes involve loss of control. Always try to be aware of the road surface conditions, and if necessary adjust your riding technique and speed to suit the conditions. Tip Loose dirt and gravel collect at the edge of the road, so try to stay away from there. 56  Staying alive Slippery roads Bumpy roads and potholes Many things can make the road surface slippery, and you On rough roads, keep your speed down. That does three need to keep these in mind. This will become automatic things – it gives you time to avoid the worst bumps or holes, as you gather experience. Here are some common slippery reduces road shocks and gives your bike’s suspension time situations you may find. to work. Remember that bumps can affect your steering as „ Sealed roads when they’re wet, especially just after it well as the suspension, so take it easy. starts to rain and before the oil and muck on the road are washed away. „ Painted lane and other markings, as well as steel and other naturally smooth surfaces – including manhole covers, tram lines, bridge expansion joints and even smooth bitumen used to repair roads – at any time, and even worse when they are wet. „ Unmade and gravel roads, and patches of sand or gravel that have collected on sealed roads. „ Mud, snow and ice, including black ice. „ Grease deposited in the middle of lanes, and oil or diesel spills. Try to avoid slippery patches. If you can’t reduce speed before you get to them, ride as upright as you can once you reach them and try to avoid turning, changing gear or speed, or using the brakes. If you need to brake, apply the front brake first then the rear brake. The important thing is to be smooth. 57  Grooved roads Crossing tram tracks Every now and then you will come to a road that has had grooves cut into it. This is usually to help make it less Cross tram or slippery in the wet – there’s a warning already! Grooves are train tracks as rarely a problem if you stay relaxed, maintain your speed and close as possible direction and just keep riding. Try to slow down as much as to a right angle is safe before you get to the grooving. and keep your bike in an upright Sloping roads position. On a high crowned road, where the centre is much higher than the sides, the slope of the road will try to push you to the edge. This can be a worry especially in right-hand cu