ninjette.org - View Single Post - Some traffic situations: the wrong and right approaches

flitecontrol · February 1st, 2015, 01:32 AM

I disagree with parts of this:

The Center Of The Lane While Stopped

Disregard our lane-splitting brethren for the moment. What do we do when we are in one of the most vulnerable and statistically alarming situations a motorcyclist can face? We’re stopped with none of the traditional advantages we can employ and the possibility of being suddenly mashed between two much larger vehicles. We can mitigate this by staying to the outside lane and pointing our direction of travel in between cars instead of directly into cars. The theory is if one is rear ended, they will at least be suddenly forced in between the cars to pinball around rather than completely smashed between them.

As I recall, the MSF course taught to always be in the "ready" position when stopped at intersections. Bike pointed in the best predetermined exit position, not so close to the vehicle ahead that there is no maneuvering room, in first gear, right hand on throttle, right foot on brake, left hand on clutch, left foot down, and eyes checking mirrors for traffic coming from behind that may not stop in time. If it appears you are about to become a bumper sandwich, take the escape route you've already prepared for.

Angling the bike in between cars, waiting for the inevitable to happen and hoping an outside lane position will minimize damage to you and the bike does not sound like a good option. It's like relinquishing control of the bike and assuming there's no way to avoid such an accident, when in fact there is.

February 1st, 2015, 01:32 AM	#34
flitecontrol ninjette.org guru Name: Lee Location: Monroe, LA Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): Rebel 250s, Ninja 250s VN750s (currently nine total) Posts: 465	I disagree with parts of this: The Center Of The Lane While Stopped Disregard our lane-splitting brethren for the moment. What do we do when we are in one of the most vulnerable and statistically alarming situations a motorcyclist can face? We’re stopped with none of the traditional advantages we can employ and the possibility of being suddenly mashed between two much larger vehicles. We can mitigate this by staying to the outside lane and pointing our direction of travel in between cars instead of directly into cars. The theory is if one is rear ended, they will at least be suddenly forced in between the cars to pinball around rather than completely smashed between them. As I recall, the MSF course taught to always be in the "ready" position when stopped at intersections. Bike pointed in the best predetermined exit position, not so close to the vehicle ahead that there is no maneuvering room, in first gear, right hand on throttle, right foot on brake, left hand on clutch, left foot down, and eyes checking mirrors for traffic coming from behind that may not stop in time. If it appears you are about to become a bumper sandwich, take the escape route you've already prepared for. Angling the bike in between cars, waiting for the inevitable to happen and hoping an outside lane position will minimize damage to you and the bike does not sound like a good option. It's like relinquishing control of the bike and assuming there's no way to avoid such an accident, when in fact there is. __________________________________________________ Profanity is the weapon of the witless.