Great info for great riding

My motorcycle mishaps are my fault…not the other guy's

Here's why…

If I consider potential motorcycle accident situations to be my fault, then I can take steps to avoid them.

I'm in charge of my safety.

Okay, I agree we may encounter some dangerous situations that we can't avoid or anticipate…such as getting hit by garbage from the International Space Station, or by the loose car tire flying across the highway.

But being road savvy and alert and taking ownership of your fate will help you to anticipate and avoid disasters caused by -- for example -- a car turning left into your path, a pedestrian emerging from between parked cars or a deer ambling onto the road.

Plus, riding alert and anticipating problems is infinitely more comfortable than riding scared and worrying about unforeseen dangers.

I nearly got pushed against the median…

I came to this conclusion last Sunday morning when riding on one of the busy New York City-area parkways. I was working my way north and west toward twisty country roads, green hills and river rapids.

While passing a car in on my right, the vehicle began drifting into my lane when I was almost even with the driver's window.

Apparently the driver had no idea I was along side when she decided to pass the car in front of her.

I blew my horn and accelerated quickly through the narrowing space between the car and the concrete median.

The driver swerved back into the middle lane then continued into the far right lane.

It appeared she wanted to get as far away from me as possible.

Later in my ride, it was my turn to move into the left lane to pass a slower car in front of me.

I put on my left blinker, checked for traffic in my left mirror and saw that the lane was empty. But before I made my move, I did a quick head check to my left.

A car in my blind spit…

And there was a car right beside me.

If I hadn't checked my blind spot, I would have duplicated the earlier driver's dangerous move that had almost pinned me against the median.

I decided that both potential accidents were my fault…they were mine to avoid.

In the first instance, I should been more attentive to what the driver in front of me was up to. I could have done a better job of anticipating her lane shift.

I should have passed her quickly and shot through her blind spot. For good measure I could have given her a warning toot on my horn.

In the second instance, at the critical moment I believe I did the right thing by checking my blind spot.

But I should have been glancing at my rear view mirrors more frequently and watching the approaching traffic. I should have had a better idea of what the cars around me were doing.

An info bulletin the Motorcycle Safety Foundation put out a few years ago sums up my personal revelation that we can take control of our fate and safety when riding.

Here's what it says…

"Pretend you're invisible.

"If you assume others on the road can't see you, and any car that can hit you will hit you, you will tend to ride in a hyper-aware mindset and learn to notice every detail in your surroundings.

"In other words, you will take extra responsibility for your safety and ride defensively.

"You will…

• Vary your speed and lane position…

• Place yourself in the best spot on the road to avoid collisions…

• Plan escape paths in case a driver violates your right-of-way…

• Cover your brake controls to quicken your reactions…

• Use your horn to alert a driver who doesn't notice you…

• And always ride within your limits."

Get wired into your ride and amp up your senses so you notice everything going on around you.

You're in charge of your ride and your safety.

They're compact, easy to use and work great in emergencies. And what flat tire isn't an emergency?

They're all made in the USA.

Click here to learn more…

Please join me on my trips to popular destinations and rides down roads less traveled...

I recently launched a three-book series containing motorcycle travel and adventure stories and observations drawn from my jaunts throughout the United States and Canada.

Click here for a complete description of these books along with the road tales they contain...

Or click on any of the following book covers to go directly to them at Amazon…

I've taken all the information in my website describing riding techniques for dangerous situations and added to it in the book "High Risk Motorcycle Riding."

Here's information you can put to good use to ride smart and well prepared when you're on the road and the going gets tough.

Click here for a complete description of this book along with the high risk riding tips it contains for riding at night, in the rain, in cold weather and across long distances...and more...

Or click on the following book cover to go directly to the book at Amazon…

For a wealth of information to help you…

• Ride more safely and comfortably…

• Select gear that best suits you, your motorcycle and riding style…

• Get the most enjoyment every time you ride…

Or if you'd like a free subscription to Savvy Motorcyclist E-zine…

Visit my website at...

www.Motorcycle-Gear-and-Riding-Info.com

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All you have to do is include author attribution (byline/name of author) and the following statement...

"This information appears courtesy of Brian R. Salisbury's Savvy Motorcyclist E-zine."

with a backlink to...

www.Motorcycle-Gear-and-Riding-Info.com

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