Table of Contents
- Getting Ready to Ride
1.1 Pre-Inspection and Pre-Planning - Learning Defensive Riding Skills
2.1 Maintain Distance and Ride Slow and Steady
2.2 Always Stay Alert and Scan for Any Threats - Best Lane Positioning and Visibility to Stay Safe on Busy Roads
3.1 Stay Visible and Predictable
3.2 Select Strategic Lane Positions - Know the Lane Splitting and Filtering Rules and Risks
4.1 Know the Laws in Your Area
4.2 Change Lane or Overtake Very Carefully - Be Prepared for Emergency Riding Situations
5.1 Improve Your Emergency Riding Skills
5.2 Adjust According to the Weather and Lighting - Wear Purpose-Built Motorcycle Safety Riding Gear
- Always Keep Your Bike in Top Shape
- Patience Is the Key to Riding on Busy Roads
8.1 Ride on and Keep Calm
8.2 Trust Your Instincts, Not Courtesy - Conclusion
Motorcycle riding in heavy or busy traffic is like completing an obstacle course with a great level
of difficulty.
There are many unpredictable drivers’ behaviors on the roads. In heavy traffic, you are likely to face frequent stops, and not much space to zip through the busy road.
To survive on a busy road, you need a great skillset and the right mindset to ride safely on busy roads.
If you commute every day on a motorbike, especially through a city traffic jam, it is crucial for you to learn safety riding tips and skills to succeed at surviving busy roads.
This article lists the professional motorcycle safety tips that can help you ride safely and with confidence on the busiest roads.
1. Getting Ready to Ride
1.1 Pre-Inspection and Pre-Planning
Before you plan to go on a city ride, make sure to perform a thorough motorcycle inspection. Check your bike tires, lights, oil, fuel level, and controls.
Ensure your bike is in top condition before you fire up the engine. When it comes to pre-planning your ride, you should use route planning apps, such as Google Maps, to check for traffic congestion and road construction.
Moreover, plan your route using traffic apps (Google Maps, Waze, etc.) and try to avoid the areas of high traffic congestion. Wear bright-colored clothes and reflective items to become more visible on
the road.
2. Learning Defensive Riding Skills
2.1 Maintain Distance and Ride Slow and Steady
Always maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front. Increase the following distance further in case of low visibility.
Take your time in case you face a difficult maneuver or situation. Always ride within your limits and stay gentle with the throttle. Clutch control is very important, especially when crawling through heavy traffic.
2.2 Always Stay Alert and Scan for Any Threats
Stay alert and keep scanning for any threats while riding a motorcycle on busy roads. You cannot
ensure safety by just riding defensively.
You have to look for other reckless and distracted drivers and road users to stay safe.
3. Best Lane Positioning and Visibility to Stay Safe on Busy Roads
3.1 Stay Visible and Predictable
Make sure you are visible to other drivers on the road. Use your motorcycle lights, turn signals,
and horn to stay visible and inform other users regarding your next move.
Use hand signals if needed. Also, use bright colored riding gear and a helmet to stay more visible for other road users.
3.2 Select Strategic Lane Positions
Don’t ever stay in the blind spot of heavy vehicles. Motorcycles are prone to getting in the blind
spot of large vehicles, due to which they get in most road accidents.
It is advisable not to ride close to big vehicles and leave some space to move or escape. As a motorcycle rider, stay in the left-most lane that is designated for bikers.
4. Know the Lane Splitting and Filtering Rules and Risks
4.1 Know the Laws in Your Area
In some of the United States, such as California, lane filtering is legal, whereas in most states, it is
illegal.
Stay updated and obey the traffic laws at all times. Even though lane filtering is permitted in certain states, this should be only done at slow speeds and when the traffic is at a standstill.
4.2 Change Lane or Overtake Very Carefully
You should never lane split or overtake at a high speed. Always ensure not to move to the fast
traffic lane, which is the right-most lane on a road.
Stay alert to unexpected door openings, side mirror extensions and swerving drivers and riders while riding on busy roads.
Be Prepared for Emergency Riding Situations
5.1 Improve Your Emergency Riding Skills
Train yourself to do emergency braking, swerving, and sudden stops frequently. You should
practice these skills in empty parking lots so that you are prepared for a sudden stop or if a car
pulls in front of you.
5.2 Adjust According to the Weather and Lighting
Both traction and visibility are reduced by rain and fog. In such a case, the first thing you must
do if you are riding on the road is to slow down.
Always keep a rain suit in your motorcycle luggage bags to use in rainy weather. You must also keep an extra clear visor for your helmet for riding in the dark, just in case you ride with a tinted one. A good pair of motorcycle saddlebags can help you keep these items safely.
5. Wear Purpose-Built Motorcycle Safety Riding Gear
No matter what the riding conditions are, always wear full riding gear at all times. Start with the
DOT-approved helmet, a leather jacket, pants, gloves, and motorcycle boots.
The riding gear not only makes you stylish, but they are a survival tool. Select the riding gear and equipment that has armor and reflective material to remain visible and safe.
6. Always Keep Your Bike in Top Shape
If you travel almost every day on busy city roads and experience traffic jams on a daily basis, it
can exert a lot of pressure on your bike’s clutch, brakes, and cooling system.
Have a regular maintenance schedule and never ride with worn tires or faulty lights.
Patience Is the Key to Riding on Busy Roads
8.1 Ride on and Keep Calm
If you are one of those riders who hate to stand still in long traffic queues, always know that
rough tactics and impatience are a formula for failure.
Be tolerant of slow traffic, ride confidently, and avoid riding aggressively. Also, remain psychologically composed even when other road users behave unpredictably.
8.2 Trust Your Instincts, Not Courtesy
While riding a motorcycle on busy roads, being polite can backfire. You don’t need to say hello
to fellow riders or wave at other road users.
This can distract you. Be careful and use your sixth sense rather than expecting others to obey the rules. Work on your cognition to safely respond to road hazards.
Conclusion
It is not merely a matter of handling your bike; riding in heavy traffic is also about predicting
danger and being both mentally and physically prepared.
These tips can ensure that you not only survive but also stay safe even in the most disorganized traffic conditions.
Whether it is wearing the proper equipment or being mentally prepared, you must follow all traffic rules and ride defensively on busy roads.
Remember! Each ride is an opportunity to practice and show that two wheels can be as safe as
a car, especially when you ride with safety and confidence.