Overtaking and dealing with traffic on a motorcycle
Safe overtaking
Arguably
motorcycles are faster than cars when it comes to single lane road
use.
Your average 600cc bike has the same power to weight ratio as super car
and only about ¼ of the road profile. This basically means
that there are a lot more overtaking opportunities available to the
motorcycle
rider than the car driver. Experienced riders overtake frequently
as part of their normal ride, while the average car driver will be
lucky
to get a single opportunity all day.
It's worth mentioning, however, that
you
don't need to focus on making progress to enjoy motorcycling. A
lot
of advanced riding guides have their roots in the Police Class 1
training
system, which aims to enable a rider to arrive at their destination as
quickly and safely possible. You need to consider this when
studying
advanced techniques.
Performing the overtake
Your overtake should be a
smooth,
integrated part of your riding style. You should be able to pass
the target vehicle without forcing them or anyone else to brake or
swerve.
If it helps, you can break the task down into the following basic steps
(Some of these stages are combined depending on the overtaking
method used.):
- Identifying the overtake
- Move into the overtaking/following
position
- Observe, signal (if required) and
move out.
- Decide and pass
- Observe, adjust speed and return
There are basically two types
of overtaking
technique that can be used. Each is
appropriate to different circumstances.
One of the most common mistakes riders make is using the wrong
technique. The two approaches are:
Two Stage Overtake
Appropriate
when we do
not need to follow the target vehicle before overtaking.
Typically the rider sees the opportunity to
overtake as they catch up on the target vehicle. If
there is plenty of space to pass and its safe, they can
overtake without needing to follow the target waiting for an
opportunity. The two stage approach
simplifies the
overtaking process Most riders
are familiar with this
approach. However, some use it when
they should really be using the 3-stage approach.
 The key disadvantage of the 2-stage
approach is early commitment to
making the pass. Once the rider has
moved in to position 1, they must either continue or break heavily to
abort the
pass.
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Two Stage
Approach:
- Move out and pass
- Move in.
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Three Stage Overtake
Appropriate
when we
need to follow the target vehicle before the opportunity to pass occurs. The three stage approach reduces our time
exposed to danger by performing some of the overtake in advance of the
gap. This reduces the speed/gap needed
to pass. The key difference here is
that the go/no go decision is delayed until position 2.
Only once we are certain the overtake is on
do we commit ourselves to pass.
The Key disadvantage of the 3-stage
approach is the risk of following the target vehicle too long in
position
1. It is important to drop back from
position
1, if the overtake does not present itself within a few moments. Otherwise we carry the risks associated with
tailgating or following too close
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Three stage Approach:
- As the opportunity emerges, move in
the
close following position
- Once the obstruction has cleared, move
out.
- Only if we are certain it is safe
accelerate past.
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You have probably noticed that
sometimes
by the time you've decided that it's safe and started to overtake, the
situation has changed and you are forced to brake and pull back
in.
This is basically because it takes a few seconds from the time you
decide
to go for it to the time you are in a position to pass. For this
reason there are several important decision points. The last one
(point 4) gives you a last chance to assess the situation, before being
fully committed. If the situation has changed then you can simply
move back to the following position. |
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Before going into the
specifics
of overtaking it's worth taking a look at some popular approaches and
their
risks.
-
Charge! - As soon as you see
the vehicle,
check its clear and go. By not moving up to a close following
distance
first, you'll have excessive exposure to the off side and a need to
build
some serious speed just to level with the target let alone overtake it.
-
Swoop & weave - From the
following
position, whack open the throttle, bank over to right, followed by a
bank
to the left when clear. Although it looks pretty cool, it
actually
places the bike in a position of least stability and commits the rider
to a set path.
-
Tailgater - Unable to
find a
suitable gap, the tailgater clings to the rear of the target vehicle
hoping
that a gap will come along. Apart from being inside the safe
stopping
distance and hassling the driver of the target vehicle, the
tailgater
will find it difficult to spot opportunities so close.
Identifying the overtake
When planning your overtaking
maneuver you will need to judge if there is sufficient space and time
to
complete it. You can use the 3 times rule as a guide to estimate
the amount of space you require. When you first see an overtaking
opportunity, identify your return point and ensure you have no less
than
3 times the amount of room required. This may sound like a huge
safety
margin, but if you try it next time you're out, you'll notice just how
quickly you use up your space.
Note: The 3 times rule works
well
at speeds of 50 - 70mph, but at lower speeds you will require
more
space.
Sometimes an overtake opportunity
doesn't
always present itself as a long straight view without obstacles.
Large slow moving vehicles often block your view, so you may need to
drop
back to properly observe the road ahead. Remember you can look
down
the inside as well as the outside. It is incredibly important
that
you can see 100% of the space you intend to use. If you try to
piece
the road together in your mind from glimpses you've had, you will be
amazed
at what can be hidden.
The best time to plan your overtake
is
when you first spot the target vehicle. Aim to gather information
about the road ahead. You may be able to commit straight to the
overtake
as you approach, rather than braking and following for a while.
Above
all don't get obsessed with passing, they'll be many
opportunities
during your ride, so why risk it if its not 100%.
Other considerations when overtaking
-
Junctions - While it may
appear
clear during the approach, you never know if a vehicle will appear
while
you're passing. They wont be expecting to see a bike on the wrong
side of the road and may pull out into your path. Additionally,
the
target vehicle may be planning a last minute turn without checking
behind
or indicating.
-
Humps and bends - These can
easily
obscure your view of the road ahead. You often have a better
chance
of passing safely immediately after the bend than before it.
-
Reducing limits - If the speed
limit
ahead reduces, then you will need to allow enough time to pass and slow
down without causing the target vehicle to brake.
-
Shrinking gaps - If your
return gap
is shrinking due to braking or accelerating vehicles, then the chances
are, it won't be there when you need it.
-
Three a breast - no matter how
wide
a single carriage way is, you should generally avoid passing a vehicle
at the same time as an on-coming vehicle. Apart from the
increased
collision risk, it may panic the drivers of the other vehicle. In any
case
it is normally possible to avoid it by getting the timing right.
The highway code and overtaking
-
Solid white line or no overtaking
signs
- You will be committing an offence if any part of your bike (or
you)
crosses the solid line.
-
Zig-Zags at crossings -
If a
queue is due to a crossing, then you may not overtake the lead
vehicle.
However, you may overtake if the queue is not caused by the crossing.
- Hatched areas - Their are two
kinds
hatched reservations (solid or dashed). The Highway code says you
must not enter a solid hatched reservation and may only enter a dashed
reservation if it is safe and necessary to do so. The definition
of safe and necessary is obviously open to interpretation. if you
decide to use a hatched area, be aware that another road user, police
officer
or even a magistrate, may have a different definition.
-
Speed Limits & 'zero' tolerance
-
Ideally you need to minimise your time exposed to danger, by overtaking
as quickly as possible. However, many police forces are reducing
their tolerance to excess speed. If you are following a vehicle
doing
50-55 mph in a national limit, then it is likely that you will need to
temporarily exceed the limit to pass the target vehicle safely.
If you need to break the speed limit it generally means that the over take iis not safe
Closing the gap
There is probably only one
situation
when you can sacrifice your safe following distance and that is when
you
are about to overtake. You do this to minimise your exposure to
the
offside and reduce the distance you need to travel. You will find
it a lot harder to perform if you start your overtake from way back.
As you move up into the following
position
use the time it takes to gather information. Check who's behind
(are
they also looking to pass?). Check for additional hazards e.g.
road
junctions, site entrances etc. If you find that your gap has
gone,
don't remain in the following position too long. It's better to
appear
to be attached to the rear of the target vehicle on a long bungie cord
(continually moving up and pulling back) rather than tailgating.
By pulling back you'll get a better look at the road and wont hassle
the
target vehicle.
Moving out to overtake
Once you're happy that your
plan
is safe you need to prepare to move. Selecting the right gear is
essential for a good overtake. You should choose a gear that is
low
enough to provide enough power to complete the move, but high enough
not
to require an up-shift during the overtake. Of course it goes
without
saying that you'll need to perform essential observations and indicate
if appropriate before moving out to the offside.
Overtaking tips
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Before you open the throttle and
commit
yourself to overtake, take advantage of your last chance to
abort.
In this position you have a better view of the road ahead and can
easily
drop back to the following position if its starts to look risky.
You'll also get a better view of your intended re-entry point.
Never
commit to an overtake in the hope that a gap will appear, gaps have a
tendency
to disappear rather than appear.
There is nothing wrong with
moving out
to the offside to get a better view, but it is important that you hold
back enough from the target vehicle to allow you to drop back in.
It is far safer to do this check now rather than having to brake while
alongside. It also lets everyone know what you are planning to do.
Once you've decided to go for it,
it's
important not to whack open the throttle, scream by and then have to
stand
on your nose to get back in. Good acceleration and deceleration sense
is
important - only use sufficient power to allow you to overtake safely.
You'll also need to make good use of the ‘advanced system’ when
planning
to re-enter the traffic stream. You can actually start to slow
down
as you complete the move in readiness for rejoining the traffic.
This makes life a bit easier when passing a queue of vehicles one by
one
(or hopping) as it will allow you to rejoin the flow more smoothly and
avoid unnecessary braking which may upset the overtaken driver. |
However, don't be to eager to
move back in once you've passed the original target. Take
advantage
of your position, you'll probably have a better view of the road and
may
be able to extend the overtake to pass other vehicles.
and last but not least
Once you have safely overtaken
all the target vehicles, start to slow down to rejoin the
traffic.
You need to check the return slot observe the positions of other
vehicles
- ensure they are aware that you plan to move back in. Remember
to
thank any vehicle which has deliberately moved over or held back to
make
your life easier.
Dealing with traffic
Most experienced motorcyclist
agree that the great thing about motorcycles is that you don't have to
queue in busy traffic. As a car driver, the sight of queues of
traffic
can mean anything from a 10 minute to 2 hour delay. The
motorcycle
rider however, can overtake queuing traffic with little hindrance,
provided
they take additional care.
Filtering may seriously damage your health
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Queuing drivers get
frustrated, this can
lead them to take last minute decisions. When filtering you have
to assume nobody can see you. Be particularly aware and expect
the
odd impromptu ‘U’ turn, lane change or turn as drivers attempt to
beat the traffic. It's also worth pointing out that many drivers
feel that filtering is dangerous, queue jumping or even illegal, I was
once questioned by a driver as to why I don't queue up like every one
else?
This attitude can sometimes lead to blocking or swerving to make your
task
harder. Obviously if this happens, you should hold back rather
than
risk it. More in filtering |
Managing your speed is particularly
important,
as it is very easy to slip through queuing or slow moving traffic at
high
speed, but with very little time to react, your chances of avoiding a
hazard
are slim. The 20:20 guide is a useful way of setting a sensible
filtering
speed limit and works as follows: Only filter up to a maximum of
20mph faster than traffic flow and only filter traffic doing a maximum
of 20mph. This basically means that you will return to
traffic
flow when your speed reaches 40mph. Although it may sound slow,
taken
as guide (e.g. + or – 5-10mph) rather than rule it can work well.
It’s also worth noting that we gain maximum benefit for minimal risk
when
filtering slow traffic and take maximum risk for minimum gain when
filtering
faster traffic.
Watch out for...
While filtering you need to
keep
a constant eye out for changes:
-
Stationary cars -
present less
threat than slow moving cars, so be prepared to slot back into line
when
the traffic starts to move off. Don't attempt to filter traffic
which
is moving close to the speed limit, as the number of return points will
reduce, as will your ability to make safe progress.
-
Junctions - present a hazard
as cars
may not check for overtaking vehicles before pulling out. Also
look
out for turn lanes which could result in someone moving into your path.
-
Pedestrians - may see the
queue as
an opportunity to cross the road and may not expect to see you coming
on
the outside.
-
Cyclist - can often get
through smaller
gaps than motorbikes and may attempt to squeeze past you, so keep a
good
eye on your rear and blind spots.
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