Road-craft 'skills'.

[Katman]

However, the concept of 'road-craft is a goody, so here's a Q, James.

How's about you elucidate say, ten, primary road-craft skills. Explain what they are. What they are for. How to go about practicing them, and how to measure progress.

This idea was never going anywhere buried in the other thread.

Here's it's own thread.

[Katman]

If I were to pick one Roadcraft skill that will do more to keep you alive than any other it would be the practice of constantly scanning what is around you and identifying and assessing potential hazards.

[Katman]

And going hand in hand with the above is the 'skill' of concentrating on what you're doing 100% of the time while you're riding (or driving for that matter).

Too many road users (motorcyclists included) seem to operate in lah-lah land.

[Wingnut]

And going hand in hand with the above is the 'skill' of concentrating on what you're doing 100% of the time while you're riding (or driving for that matter).

Too many road users (motorcyclists included) seem to operate in lah-lah land.

Who could actually honestly say they concentrate 100% on what they are doing 100% of the time. Near impossibility I'd say.

Awareness is the key to survival.

[Katman]

Who could actually honestly say they concentrate 100% on what they are doing 100% of the time. Near impossibility I'd say.

Fuck, even I wouldn't claim to concentrate 100% of the time.

It's something to aim for though.

[Ixion]

This could be a very valuable thread.

I'll start off with a couple

Vector analysis. Which is a fancy pants way of saying, figure out where other vehicles could go and where their current position and speed and direction suggest they intend to go. The guy who moves in on your lane on the motorway doesn't usually do it all of a sudden. For a second or so before he moves he'll edge slightly out of the normal line

Read the roadside. Large and small. Classic thing like power poles. Trees. Heres a nice corner coming up, on a nice sunny day after a week of rain. Look at all the trees bordering the road,with their branches over the road . Wonder what's round the corner, where it's all shady and the sun won't reach. And look, apart from the trees theres no vegetation on the steep roadside bank. Look at all the ruts the rain has washed into the bank. I wonder where all that dirt and gravel went? Me, I think I'd be slowing down here. A lot.

[Motu]

I agree scanning is the most important road craft skill - a lot of the ''problems'' riders get into is just not being aware of what's coming up next.

[Wingnut]

Fuck, even I wouldn't claim to concentrate 100% of the time.

It's something to aim for though.

So true my man!

[Ixion]

Another.

It's not a competition. You don't lose points. The other guy doesn't win

If you're riding along and there's an intersection coming up - you have the right of way. But look, there's a car coming up to the intersection. He's going at a good clip. Maybe, he's going to brake hard and give way to you as he should. You have the right of way. But then again, maybe he isn't. Does not harm to slow down be ready to stop if he doesn't. If he does stop, that's fine, you haven't lost anything. He hasn't won anything. If he doesn't stop - well then it's a good thing you could, eh?

Another

Always always always know what's around you. Not just in front, but behind, and most inportantly to the sides and side rear. I like to keep a empty box of road all round me, but one can't always do that. But at least, always know where you can safely dive to if it all goes pear shaped. When it does, you need to KNOW, right NOW that you can swerve left safely. It's not hard to do, even with blurry bike mirrors.

Another

Use other vehicles as shields. Especially useful on multilane roads. That impatient looking twit waiting at the stop sign ahead, he's watching the line of traffic, looking for a gap. When he sees a gap that doesn't have a car roof in it, he's going to dive for it. If that gap happens to have *you* in it, too bad. He's not going to see you and not going to care. So, use another vehicle to keep him off. He might be willing to dive for that "gap" , even if you're in it, but if you're beside a car, he'd have to take on the car too. He won't do that. Is good at lights , too. Stay beside the bus or truck for a few seconds, until you're though the intersection, then give it gauntlet (Just watch the shield doesn't end up moving in on you though )
'

[puddytat]

Riding within your ability & not getting sucked into ego battles with other riders.....or drivers.

[CookMySock]

I agree scanning is the most important road craft skill

I want one of those knight-rider scanners mounted to my helmet.



Maybe we could use it to educate drivers ?

DB

[Wingnut]

I want one of those knight-rider scanners mounted to my helmet.



Maybe we could use it to educate drivers ?

DB

Cool - I loved KITT. Stands for Knight Industries Two Thousand for those not in the know.

[FJRider]

Fuck, even I wouldn't claim to concentrate 100% of the time.

It's something to aim for though.

Just aim LEFT of the centre line, you might live longer...

[jrandom]

Use other vehicles as shields. Especially useful on multilane roads.

+1. Vital skill for everyone who rides in big-city traffic.

I'd also add actively seeking and holding eye contact with car drivers. Particularly those approaching on side roads to the left.

[Ixion]

+1. Vital skill for everyone who rides in big-city traffic.

I'd also add actively seeking and holding eye contact with car drivers. Particularly those approaching on side roads to the left.

Yes. But don't assume that just because you've made eye contact and he's looked right into your eyes, that he will stop. I've had them stare straight at me, and then pull out when I'm a couple of metres away. In fact a givewaway of someone who may be going to do this, is they keep looking at *you* even when you're so close that most people would be looking past you , looking for the next gap. I get *real* suspicious when someone makes eye contact and keeps it. Normal folk will make eye contact , think "OK, bike, can't pull out yet, what's behind him? What's coming the other way? " and look away to look behind you , or the other direction.