OVERTAKING – DON’T GET IN OVER YOUR HEAD
By Keep Britain Biking • 9th January 2012 • 60 viewsA Keep Britain Biking safety guide Overtaking requires more thought than many people realise. If you believe that simply opening the throttle and gunning past the more hefty four-wheeled machines on the road whenever you get the chance is the way to do it, then you’re setting yourself up for an accident. It is true that bikes are much better placed to overtake than cars. However, without the protection provided by a sturdy frame bikers are also very vulnerable. Take a look at our KBB overtaking tips and check out the best ways to overtake safely: Position on the road The distance between yourself and the vehicle in front dictates how safely you can overtake. ‘Tailgating’ might seem like a good idea but remember, when you’re right up behind them the driver may struggle to see you and you won’t be able to get a good idea of what’s coming the other way – this is especially important when you’re behind large vans or trucks. Bikes have a significant advantage in terms of positioning, as they take up much less space in the lane. Use this advantage to make sure you stay aware of what’s happening up ahead. Getting the run up right Further argument for keeping your distance is the run up needed to get you safely past the vehicle ahead of you. When group riding plan your run ups carefully, timing it so that a safe distance is maintained between all riders. Never simply follow your mates and blindly overtake, always make sure you are fully aware of your surroundings before joining your fellow bikers. Make the commitment Once you have built up your speed and begun to move forward it’s time to commit. It is important not to hesitate, as you will lose the speed you have built up and put yourself in danger. Remember, you can use your acceleration to take you to safety when needed! Assess your surroundings Give yourself the time to check the situation you’re in; is anyone trying to overtake you? Are there warning signs you’re missing? Are any junctions or corners approaching? Don’t let eagerness to pass slow-moving traffic distract you! With these simple techniques, you will be able to overtake vehicles safely and with less horsepower. Do you have any failsafe tips to make overtaking a less risky business?
Dave N said: On January 11, 2012
Some great advice there KBB.. Weather conditions and road surface important to consider especially when overtaking heavy vehicles