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Over 8 Million People, 6 Million Vehicles: Riding In NJ Is No Small FeatApr 04 '04 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line There are some very basic tips you can follow to ensure safe and fun riding. I ride a motorcycle in New Jersey. That might seem irrelevant compared to riding in other locations, but consider these facts. With a population of 8.4 million, operating 6.2 million vehicles on about 36,000 miles of roadway, peak traffic hours see an average of 173 cars per mile. Add to that the fact that a large portion of new vehicles being sold fall into the light truck and SUV category, and at least two main trucking arteries run through the state, and you have a virtual hell for those whose transportation falls into the two-wheeled, internal combustion engine category. I’d like to share with you some tips and advice that I’ve garnered from my riding experiences. These don’t exactly fall into highway, or rural driving categories, and they are only the observations and lessons of one person’s experiences. But, perhaps they will help you wherever you may be riding. Know Your Bike It might seem silly at first, but think about it. You must know the operational limits of your vehicle, whether it’s a car or a motorcycle. You need to know how it handles in wet conditions, its stopping and acceleration capabilities, how it corners and behaves in obstacle collision situations, etc. Knowing the limitations of your bike is just as important as knowing its top end performance. Can you stop before that light turns red? Can you steer around that gravel and still hold the road? Can you pass that vehicle that doesn’t see you without causing a dangerous situation? Knowing the capabilities and limitations will help you make wise riding decisions. Whether or not you make them is a completely different story. Assume The Worst You’ve always been told never to assume. Here’s the exception. Always assume that: - The other driver doesn’t see you - The other driver will pull out in front of you - There is gravel or obstruction on the curve you’re about to zip into - The light will turn yellow and someone else will jump the gun crossing the road I suppose the list could go on, but let me illustrate with this example. One day I was coming home from a ride, just a mile from my house. I advanced toward an intersection where two roads met the road I was riding on, thought not at the same point. A car in the opposite lane had stopped and seemed to have the intention of turning left, crossing the road in my line of travel. I looked at the eyes of the driver, who I believe was staring directly at me. Then, without warning he executed the turn, directly into my path. I had moved to the right lane and therefore was able to jerk the bike further away from the car when he realized his error and slammed on his brakes. I assumed he saw me, and quite obviously, he didn’t. Always assume the worst. Talk To Your Riders Whenever I have a passenger I always talk to them before they get on, especially if they’ve never ridden with me. I advise them to find a comfortable position and stay put! There’s nothing like shifting weight to mess up your riding. I tell them how far forward to sit, where to put their feet (and to watch out for the hot pipe!) I tell them to hold on when accelerating, and brace themselves when stopping so we don’t clank helmets. Sometimes I set up a special signal, like a pat on the leg to warn them when I’m going to accelerate fast. Point is, I communicate with them so they know what to expect. When riding in groups, the same thing applies. Have a game plan. How will you ride? Staggered? Single file? Side-by-side. Don’t let it just happen, talk about it. Talk about your speed. Are you out for a cruise that day? Or are you out to burn some rubber. Whatever your goal, plan for it. Every year I ride a charity run that has over 3000 motorcyclists. Most times it goes smoothly. But it’s easy to get distracted, especially with a passengers, and especially with all the “scenery”. More than once a thong or low-cut top has caught my eye, to the chagrin of my bike and the near accidents that ensued. But that aside, talk to your riders so that you have a game plan for maneuvering in a large group. It’s The Highway, Not a Racetrack Performance bikes make it so easy to go fast. The advertisements are even more misleading. Can everyone scrape their pegs in an 80 mile-per-hour turn? With the right road conditions! And therein lays the rub. Roads have creases, bumps, gravel, dead animals, potholes, and debris. Racetracks don’t. Therefore, trying to ride the road like it’s a racetrack will eventually lead to a racetrack like crash! Know the roads you’re riding on if you’re going to pull a stunt. Ride it once or twice to check it out first. Make sure it’s clear and well-paved. And be prepared to avoid any of the above! Head’s Up Man Wear a helmet. If you actually need me to pontificate on the reasons for doing so, then you’ve obviously already suffered traumatic head injury. Another important thing ommitted by many is eye protection. Whether it’s a visor, or sunglasses, they will save you a lot of pain. My uncle was hit in the eyeball by a gnat at 30 miles per hour. His whole face swelled tremendously and he almost lost his sight. Enough said. In Summary… I have nothing to say here about the style of riding you choose. Everyone rides differently. Simply remember, there are a lot of cars out there, (as well as other motorcyclists!) who aren’t looking for you. Tragedy lies an instant away if you’re not exercising caution. Think before you ride, and have fun!  |
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