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source : http://www.epinions.com/content_4807958660
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What should I Know About City Riding? Knowledge and Skills Are Power
Aug 06 '06 (Updated May 20 '07)The Bottom Line Having both the knowledge and skills to ride in a city are the keys to survival.
Viva la Difference!
City riding is different. It is different from driving a car, different from dirt riding, different from sport riding, and different from highway riding. So it should go without saying that it requires a significantly different set of skills and knowledge for success (or should I say survival).
Knowledge
Knowledge is the ability to apply mentally recorded information to given situations. Or better put, news you can use. Knowledge is required before you even think of developing your survival skills. Some of the most important are:
Knowledge of the local traffic laws and regulations: Just because you somehow passed the written test for an operators' license does not mean that you are truly familiar with the things the local police might grade you on. It is a good idea to refresh yourself with that booklet on motorcycle operation available at the local Department of Motor Vehicles. The ticket or ambulance ride you save might be your own.
Knowledge of your motorcycle's true condition and capabilities: These are things like will it always start, will it be up to sitting through long traffic jams, will it stop with predictable control, will you always be able to judge the effective range of fuel (you will only have too much fuel if you are on fire), do all lights and indicators work, and can it be safely operated in all the expected situations. It is never a good idea to put yourself in a position of wondering what that red light on the instrument cluster really means. It is even worse to pull on a brake lever and find no acceptable reaction from the motorcycle. And I really hate standing alongside a broken down motorcycle in the rain.
Knowledge of your gear (clothing): You must know that you will be comfortably protected from both the climate and the abrasive properties of pavement. In other words, you must dress for the accident you do not want to participate in – you do not always get a vote as to your involvement.
Knowledge of the environment: This one has very little to do with saving either the rain forests or the whales. In this case, you need to know "no brainer" stuff like the expected temperature range, the expected wind velocity, the chance for rain (or snow, or hail, other distractions that fall from the sky), and even the humidity (a dry heat might sound better, but you still know it is hot when you put your head in an industrial dryer). Other often ignored segments of the environment you need to know are the expected physical condition of the roads (construction, gravel, sand, salt, or other things that fall from vehicles), known detours, traffic congestion, and the chances for aggressive (or sightseeing) drivers. Each of these needs to be considered as potential risks for you to manage.
Skills
Operation of the Motorcycle: OK, you already know that you have passed a parking lot test for your motorcycle permit. But you are no longer considering staying confined to orange cones and white lines. Whenever I climb astride a different motorcycle I take a few minutes to assure myself that I can operate all the controls, including those for the horn and lights, without having to look down. Reminding myself of the friend who, when stopped for exceeding a posted speed limit, responded to the officer's question of "do you know how fast you were going" with, "when I am going that fast I am sure not going to look down!"
Control of the Motorcycle: If you have not taken advantage of offerings such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Beginning or Experienced Rider Courses, I highly recommend you do. I try to go through one of these every couple of years. It gives me the opportunity to "unlearn" bad habits, and keeps my skill current. Pilots use terms like rated / qualified and current for a reason, so should you.
Situational Awareness: What you do not know will hurt you! Chances for your survival are greatly increased if you develop the skill for maximum situational awareness. Practicing keeping your head on a swivel (head and eyes always moving to scan for anything that would otherwise be an unwanted surprise) will pay dividends down the road. Scanning for potential road hazards and the information displayed on the motorcycles gauges, provides you with advanced warnings of approaching problems. Good situational awareness gives you the gifts of increased time to weigh decisions for reactions to potential hazards, and put more distance between you and an accident.
Experience: There is nothing more valuable than riding experience in the city. I know that this sounds like the chicken or the egg thing, but it is possible to safely gain your needed experience. Start small. Ride around your neighborhood and slowly expand your distance from home. More importantly, ride respectively. Respect has sometimes been called controlled fear, and in this case that might be true. Fear all those known risks so that you can manage them in a controlled manner. Another thing to try is to ride with someone you know is a skilled and responsible rider. That rider will be a great learning resource. Then when you have a few miles, months, and confidence it would be a good idea to try another Experienced Rider Course. Learn from the best and you too can be good.
Knowledge and Skills Are Power
Along with those skill you will pick up in the Rider Courses, listening to those special tips from the more experienced riders. 31 Flavors of Quick Tips For Motorcycle Riders provides a few examples of what they have picked up over all those miles. Having both the knowledge and skills to ride in a city are the keys to survival.
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