SAFETY TIPS
SAFETY TIPS
By MIKE Phillips
RIDING motorcycles can be dangerous , and sometimes bad things happen that we cannot control . Riders accept this , but we must do all we can to lessen the danger . I recently read of a horrific motorcycle crash . The crash report said a car hit five northbound motorcycles head-on . Four motorcyclists were pronounced dead at the scene . Six others were seriously injured . The driver of the vehicle was also injured . This was a terrible crash , but we can learn things that may keep us safer .
The preliminary crash report did not list the speed of any of the vehicles or the distance between the motorcycles . Time and distance are critical elements of rider safety . We have been taught to ride in a staggered formation on group rides . Bike one , in the inside part of the lane , with bike two in the outside part , and so on through the formation , with a following distance of one to two seconds . At 60 mph , a two-second gap is 180 feet . At 60 mph , a biker cannot observe , react , and stop in two seconds or 180 feet .
On many group rides , bikes are less than two seconds apart . Two seconds is the minimum following distance for slow speeds under good riding conditions . As speeds increase , the following distance should also increase . Three to four seconds following distance may be best . Most riders can stop in four seconds at speeds less than 70 mph . I realize the extra distance may encourage cars to drive in between bikes . Extra distance , as we speed up , is still a safer choice . On slower , curvy roads , we should increase the following distance . A study of multibike crashes shows most of these crashes occur in curves . Sight distance on curvy roads is very limited . Stopping time in a curve will be longer than on a straight road because the bike has to be brought up straight from the lean of the curve then full braking can be applied .
Riders need to search as far ahead of the group as they can . Many times , riders in the back of the group only watch the bikes close to them . This causes delays in perception , reaction , and evasive action whether it is stopping or swerving . Search as far ahead as you can see . Look beyond the lead bike . Look for road hazards . Look for changes in the road like curves , hills , lane shifts , and traffic control signs .
Watch oncoming cars as they approach the lead bike . Traffic safety guidelines suggest searching at least 12 seconds ahead of your bike . At 40 mph , that means looking over 700 feet ahead .
Every year we hear of a multibike crash caused by a car running into a group of bikes . Extra time and distance within the group is a great tactic to keep all riders safe . Riders accept there are risks . We can lessen those risks by paying attention , having patience , riding at our ability , and trusting God to ride with us . Pray for safety at the start of a ride .
Offer a prayer of thanks at the end of the ride . CMA
Mike Phillips is a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation ( MSF ) instructor in Arkansas . 27βͺOCTOBER 2023βͺwww . cmausa . org