From the moment you get on the road, train yourself to use the SIPDE method for staying out of trouble: Scan all around you, Identify potential hazards. Predict what will happen. Decide how to avoid problems, and Execute your plan. Do it all the time, and you’ll drastically reduce the number of dangerous situations you face.

Another exceptionally valuable technique is also one of the simplest: Look where you want to go, because the bike will go where you look. Don’t stare at that upcoming pothole-instead, look at the clear pavement next to it. Don’t fixate on the car turning left in front of you-instead; focus on the opening being created as it moves past since that’s your escape route. At times, it may take a real mental effort to pull your eyes away from an obstacle, but if you can see your way through trouble, chances are you can ride there.
 
It should go without saying, but don’t get on your bike if you’ve been drinking. Your odds of being involved in an accident go up enormously.

If you’re on a bike that’s new to you, or you’re riding under unfamiliar conditions (mountain roads, rain, etc,), you’re statistically more likely to crash. Slow down, focus and take extra care.

Need to tune up your skills after a winter layoff or to get more comfortable on a new bike? Fine a deserted parking lot and do some tight figure-eights and brake tests before you face the real world. Keep at it till you feel truly in control of the machine.

Be aware that nailing the brakes isn’t the only way to avoid a crash Sometimes, swerving or even speeding up will get you out of trouble more easily.

What’s the best lane position for riding? The left tire track? The right tire track? The center? You can get all kinds of answers, but your real priority shouldn’t be lane positioning at all. It should be “traffic positioning.” Try to create a bubble of space around you. If there’s a car exiting a parking lot on your right, move to the left. If there’s traffic around you, position yourself so you have the maximum cushion on all sides.

On crowded freeways, the most dangerous place to be is often the right lane, where cars are constantly merging in and out. If you don’t need to exit anytime soon, traffic positioning tells you that you’re probably better off in the left lane, away from all the merging action. But don’t get over there unless you’re comfortable with the speed of traffic in the left lane-you don’t want to trade the hazards of merging cars for the hazards of faster cars closing in on your tailpipe.

Most traffic tens to move in clumps, separated by open spaces. Instead of rolling along in the middle of a clump, speed up or slow down to get yourself into one of the open spaces.

Changing lanes? Always use your head. Swivel your neck to check your blind spot so you don’t change lanes into someone else.

In general, it’s easier to change lanes into a spot that’s in front of you, rather than behind you. See your spot, flip on your turn signal, do your head check and accelerate into it.

Remember that all other vehicles have blind spots, too. This is a particular problem around semi trailer.  If you can’t see the driver’s rearview mirrors, the driver can’t see you.

Want to improve the odds that other drivers will see you? Don’t wear black. Bright-colored riding clothes can make you more visible anytime, while a yellow or orange rain suit, with reflective stripes, will help you stand out when visibility is at its poorest.

Construction zones are another hazard associated with summer. If you find yourself on a multi-lane road that’s being paved, and one lane is an inch or so higher that the other, try to tide in the higher lane. It’s easier to move from high to low that the other way around.

Be equally aware of hazards associated with different times of day. In the early morning, watch for dew and frost on roads. Through the daylight hours, you have to contend with sun glare and the highest traffic loads of the day. Sunset is the time when animals are more active, while evening and overnight hours bring the greatest risk of drunk drivers. You can probably add hazards of your own. For instance, it seem the closer you get to quitting time on Friday, the more self-absorbed and rushed the drivers of other vehicles get.

Sunset and sunrise can create severe visibility problems. If you can see your own shadow ahead of you, the drivers of oncoming cars will be staring right into the sun. Anticipate that they can’t see you.

Of course, rain is hazard anytime. Be aware that roads will be slickest shortly after it starts raining as the water combines with oil on the road surface. Especially slick are lane markers and other lines pained on the road.

What’s the most dangerous animal in America? Bears? Wolves? Sharks? Not even close. More people are killed in collisions with deer than in all types of animal attacks. Remember that if you see one deer cross the road, chances are good there are more where that one came from. Slow down and look for the second, third and fourth member of the group.

Get additional training. Even the best riders can benefit from enrolling in formal rider education programs. Contact the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at (800) 446-9227 or www.msf.usa.org for information or to find the class nearest you.

Finally, if you’re feeling tired during a long day on the road and can’t decide whether you should stop and take a break, that’s sure sign that you should stop and take a break.

Bronco Bob