One crucial aspect of safe motorcycle riding, especially when preparing for your Motorcycle Bike Test, is understanding your personal margin of safety. This refers to the buffer you create for potential errors or unexpected situations, directly influenced by your riding skill and experience. Thinking about your “margin for error” means proactively considering how much extra time and space you need to react safely given your current abilities.
A highly effective and straightforward technique to enhance your safety margin is the SEE strategy: Search, Evaluate, Execute. This systematic approach is designed to sharpen your awareness of traffic conditions and encourage continuous planning and action while riding. To SEE effectively means to actively Search your surroundings for potential hazards, Evaluate how these hazards might combine to create risks, and Execute appropriate actions to maintain a safe margin.
When you Search, you’re essentially scanning for any factor that could lead to trouble. This involves asking yourself proactive questions: “What might that driver do next?”, “Could that vehicle fail to see me?”, “Is there a chance of gravel on that upcoming bend?”, or “Will that car yield at the intersection?”. These everyday scenarios highlight the importance of the SEE strategy. Without a proactive approach, these situations can quickly escalate into dangerous incidents or even crashes. In essence, continuous SEE application is vital for safe motorcycle operation, both for daily riding and during your motorcycle bike test.
As you hone your motorcycle riding skills, whether in a controlled training environment or while navigating real-world roads, the SEE strategy remains your constant companion. Think of practicing on a training range as analogous to interacting with traffic on public roads – both require vigilance and strategic thinking. By consistently applying the SEE strategy, you give yourself the crucial time and space needed to react safely. This not only boosts your personal safety but also contributes to the safety of those around you. Mastering and implementing the SEE strategy is a cornerstone of responsible and skillful motorcycle riding, benefiting you in every ride and ensuring you are well-prepared for your motorcycle bike test and beyond.
