TAC's 38 times table. Mitigate the risk of riding.
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:05 pm
The TAC's new advertising campain says you are 38 times more likely to get badly hurt on a motorcycle compared to a car. You dont have to be a statistic, you can drastically reduce the chance of being badly hurt by reducing the risk. Here are 38 ways you can reduce your risk.
1.Speed
Everyone knows speed is bad and is often a contributing factor. You shouldnt speed. But if you are, do it somewhere safe.
2. Tram lines
Slippery fuckers, do not brake while you are on them. Avoid them in the rain.
3. Dont be a hero
Just because someone passed you, does not mean you have to twist your wrist. Take it easy, its just commuting.
4. Just because someone else can
Just because someone else can take that corner at 90, does not mean you can!
5. Its not a race
You and your mate will develop your riding skills at different speeds, dont egg your friend on into doing something dangerous, otherwise he is going to stack into the back of you as you brake for a corner.
6. Drinking
If you think drinking and driving dont mix, thats nothing compared to drinking and riding.
7. Lane splitting
Everyone knows its bad, but people still do it. If you are going to do it, do it carefully.
--(8.) Dont follow another bike too close, some stupid driver is waiting for him to pass sothat they can chance lanes without indicating.
--(9.) Watch out for big gaps in the faster moving lane, the cars from the slower lane will change without indicating or warning
--(10.) The gap between those two trucks is big now, but by the time you get to the front it could be half the size
11. Stopped at the lights
Loads of bikers have been hit from behind at the lights, so move as far to the left as you can when you are stopped.
12. Round abouts
People never expect the speed a bike can go through a round about, be prepared for that, be especially aware at roundabouts.
13. Rain
Appart from getting wet, rain also makes things slippery. Take it a bit easier. The white stripes are not just a crap band, but also a danger when you are riding.
14. Finally a green light
It is tempting to gun it off the lights, but watch out for that tosser running a dark orange light.
15. Be obvious when riding
Dont be afraid to be obvious when riding. Indicate early, hell, stick your arm out if you are worried someone hasnt seen your intention.
16. Helmet
Wear a good helment, not one of those half helmets. Half helmets are for people who dont like their face, and like the taste of bugs.
17. Pedestrians
Nothing is more unpredictable than that kid walking next to the road. Even adults are idiots, beware, they will really mess up your paintwork if you hit them hard.
18. Tires - Age
Watch for low tread on your tires. Tires dont go faster the closer they get to being slicks.... They only get less effective in the rain, Your tread should always exceed the depth of a match head.
19. Dack/Joints/Smoke/Weed/Sticky Buds/Mary Jane/Tinnies/Bongs
Smoking Cannabus will make you ride like a fuckhead. Enjoy it at home, wait for the effects to wear off before riding.
20. Lights
Regularly ensure that your indicators are working.
21. High Beam
If you use your high beam during the day you might be more visible, but remember it is easy for cars to have trouble judging how far away you are.
(21b.) Never ever ever run high beams at night unless you want the oncoming traffic to veer into your lane.
22. Tires - Cold
Let your tires warm up before going wild, specially on larger capacity bikes. Sounds silly but lots of riders get hurt fanging it on cold tires.
23. Horn
Your horn is there for two reasons. To say hi to good looking girls and to let traffic know they are coming into your lane. If someone starts to move into your lane, use it.
24. Tires - Inflation
Poorly inflated tires will track strangely and can cause you to slide out in a corner. Regularly check your tire pressure.
25. Blind spots
Get to know where blind spots are in cars and trucks, spend as little time in blindspots as possible.
26. Tailgater
Your reaction times might be fine when you are expecting something to happen, but if you regularly tailgate you will eventually get a face full of rear bumper.
27. Pants
Leather will save you, Synthetic will reduce the damage, Kevlar will reduce road rash, jeans do nothing.... NOTHING. Jeans will not protect you from any damage.
28. Wheelies
Do not do wheelies where there are driveways, traffic, pedestrians or wild animals. (RIP Alex)
29. Get on the track
Getting on the track will not only make you realise how stupid it is to speed on the road, but it will also improve your cornering skills
30. Jacket
Wear a decent jacket, leather is best followed by synthetic. Dont get one of those poofy pretendy leather jackets that harly riders wear.
31. Training
A lot of people ride outside of their means. Get some training and never run wide in a corner again.
32. Brake before corners, not during
This is probably the most valuable advice anyone ever gave me. You should NEVER have to brake during a corner... Adjust speed before, accelerate through.
33. Road position
When riding through the twisties avoid riding too close to the centre line. Remember that when you are going around a right hand bend, if your tire is on the centre line your head is in the oncoming traffic.
34. Pulling out in traffic
Yes, I know your bike can do 0 to 100 in 2.1 milliseconds.... But just because there is gap in the traffic 2 car lengths long consider what will happen if you stall or your foot slips or something stupid like that. Remember, people dont generally have accidents when everying goes as planned. People have accidents when something unexpected happens.
35. Black Spots
They are marked as blackspots because people actually have had accidents. Its better if you can say "oh! thats why!" from a safe distance. Blackspots dont last long generally, so take it easy for a second and live longer.
36. High Vis gear.
High visibility gear may make you more visible on the road, but be careful in the city, people will stab you for wearing it.
37. Concentrate
Its easy to tune out in traffic. If you find yourself constantly drifting off mentally, why not take a bit of a break. Stop and have a smoke and a cup of Jo.
38. They are all out to kill you!
If you always ride as if cagers are out to kill you you will go much further. This means, assume they are going to pull out on you, assume they will not see you, assume they will brake hard all of a sudden.
1.Speed
Everyone knows speed is bad and is often a contributing factor. You shouldnt speed. But if you are, do it somewhere safe.
2. Tram lines
Slippery fuckers, do not brake while you are on them. Avoid them in the rain.
3. Dont be a hero
Just because someone passed you, does not mean you have to twist your wrist. Take it easy, its just commuting.
4. Just because someone else can
Just because someone else can take that corner at 90, does not mean you can!
5. Its not a race
You and your mate will develop your riding skills at different speeds, dont egg your friend on into doing something dangerous, otherwise he is going to stack into the back of you as you brake for a corner.
6. Drinking
If you think drinking and driving dont mix, thats nothing compared to drinking and riding.
7. Lane splitting
Everyone knows its bad, but people still do it. If you are going to do it, do it carefully.
--(8.) Dont follow another bike too close, some stupid driver is waiting for him to pass sothat they can chance lanes without indicating.
--(9.) Watch out for big gaps in the faster moving lane, the cars from the slower lane will change without indicating or warning
--(10.) The gap between those two trucks is big now, but by the time you get to the front it could be half the size
11. Stopped at the lights
Loads of bikers have been hit from behind at the lights, so move as far to the left as you can when you are stopped.
12. Round abouts
People never expect the speed a bike can go through a round about, be prepared for that, be especially aware at roundabouts.
13. Rain
Appart from getting wet, rain also makes things slippery. Take it a bit easier. The white stripes are not just a crap band, but also a danger when you are riding.
14. Finally a green light
It is tempting to gun it off the lights, but watch out for that tosser running a dark orange light.
15. Be obvious when riding
Dont be afraid to be obvious when riding. Indicate early, hell, stick your arm out if you are worried someone hasnt seen your intention.
16. Helmet
Wear a good helment, not one of those half helmets. Half helmets are for people who dont like their face, and like the taste of bugs.
17. Pedestrians
Nothing is more unpredictable than that kid walking next to the road. Even adults are idiots, beware, they will really mess up your paintwork if you hit them hard.
18. Tires - Age
Watch for low tread on your tires. Tires dont go faster the closer they get to being slicks.... They only get less effective in the rain, Your tread should always exceed the depth of a match head.
19. Dack/Joints/Smoke/Weed/Sticky Buds/Mary Jane/Tinnies/Bongs
Smoking Cannabus will make you ride like a fuckhead. Enjoy it at home, wait for the effects to wear off before riding.
20. Lights
Regularly ensure that your indicators are working.
21. High Beam
If you use your high beam during the day you might be more visible, but remember it is easy for cars to have trouble judging how far away you are.
(21b.) Never ever ever run high beams at night unless you want the oncoming traffic to veer into your lane.
22. Tires - Cold
Let your tires warm up before going wild, specially on larger capacity bikes. Sounds silly but lots of riders get hurt fanging it on cold tires.
23. Horn
Your horn is there for two reasons. To say hi to good looking girls and to let traffic know they are coming into your lane. If someone starts to move into your lane, use it.
24. Tires - Inflation
Poorly inflated tires will track strangely and can cause you to slide out in a corner. Regularly check your tire pressure.
25. Blind spots
Get to know where blind spots are in cars and trucks, spend as little time in blindspots as possible.
26. Tailgater
Your reaction times might be fine when you are expecting something to happen, but if you regularly tailgate you will eventually get a face full of rear bumper.
27. Pants
Leather will save you, Synthetic will reduce the damage, Kevlar will reduce road rash, jeans do nothing.... NOTHING. Jeans will not protect you from any damage.
28. Wheelies
Do not do wheelies where there are driveways, traffic, pedestrians or wild animals. (RIP Alex)
29. Get on the track
Getting on the track will not only make you realise how stupid it is to speed on the road, but it will also improve your cornering skills
30. Jacket
Wear a decent jacket, leather is best followed by synthetic. Dont get one of those poofy pretendy leather jackets that harly riders wear.
31. Training
A lot of people ride outside of their means. Get some training and never run wide in a corner again.
32. Brake before corners, not during
This is probably the most valuable advice anyone ever gave me. You should NEVER have to brake during a corner... Adjust speed before, accelerate through.
33. Road position
When riding through the twisties avoid riding too close to the centre line. Remember that when you are going around a right hand bend, if your tire is on the centre line your head is in the oncoming traffic.
34. Pulling out in traffic
Yes, I know your bike can do 0 to 100 in 2.1 milliseconds.... But just because there is gap in the traffic 2 car lengths long consider what will happen if you stall or your foot slips or something stupid like that. Remember, people dont generally have accidents when everying goes as planned. People have accidents when something unexpected happens.
35. Black Spots
They are marked as blackspots because people actually have had accidents. Its better if you can say "oh! thats why!" from a safe distance. Blackspots dont last long generally, so take it easy for a second and live longer.
36. High Vis gear.
High visibility gear may make you more visible on the road, but be careful in the city, people will stab you for wearing it.
37. Concentrate
Its easy to tune out in traffic. If you find yourself constantly drifting off mentally, why not take a bit of a break. Stop and have a smoke and a cup of Jo.
38. They are all out to kill you!
If you always ride as if cagers are out to kill you you will go much further. This means, assume they are going to pull out on you, assume they will not see you, assume they will brake hard all of a sudden.
