8
Colorado Motorcycle Operator’s Handbook
6.1 DISTANCE IN FRONT:
Usually motorcycles do not
need as much distance to stop as do cars. Use the two
second following rule as a guide. This leaves you enough
time to stop or swerve if the driver ahead of you stops
suddenly. It also gives you a better view of potholes and
other dangers in the road.
In some situations, you should open up a three-second
following distance. This larger cushion of space is needed
if your motorcycle will take longer than normal to stop
(i.e. if the pavement is slippery with rain) or if you cannot
see around the vehicle ahead.
Keep well behind the vehicle ahead even when you are
stopped. This will make it easier to get out of the way if
someone bears down on you from behind. It will also
give you a cushion of space if the vehicle ahead starts to
back up for some reason.
6.2 DISTANCE BEHIND:
If someone tailgates you, don’t
try to lose them by speeding up. You’ll just end up being
tailgated at a higher speed.
A better way to handle tailgaters is to get them in front
of you. When someone is following too closely, change
lanes and let them pass. If you can’t do this, slow down
and open up extra space ahead of you. This will encour-
age them to pass. If they don’t pass, you will have given
yourself and the tailgaters more time and space to react
in case an emergency does develop.
6.3 DISTANCE TO THE SIDE
: By shifting from one
portion of a lane to another you can keep a safe cushion
of space on both sides. An experienced rider changes
SRVLWLRQZLWKLQWKHODQHDVWUDIÀFFRQGLWLRQHUH
are some conditions that require changes in lane position.
PASSING:
5LGHLQWKHOHIWSRUWLRQRI
the lane at a safe follow-
ing distance to increase
your line of sight and
make you more visible.
Signal and check for on-
FRPLQJWUDIÀF8VH\RXU
mirrors and turn your
head to look for traffic
behind.
0RYHLQWRWKHOHIWODQHDQGDFFHOHUDWH6HOHFWDODQH
position that doesn’t crowd the car you are passing and
provides space to avoid hazards in your lane.
5LGHWKURXJKWKHEOLQGVSRWDVTXLFNO\DVSRVVLEOH
6LJQDODJDLQDQGFRPSOHWHPLUURUDQGKHDGFKHFNV
before returning to your original lane.
**Remember, passing must be completed within posted speed
limits, and only where permitted.
BEING PASSED: When you are being passed from behind
or by an oncoming vehicle, stay in the center portion of
your lane. Do not move into the portion of the lane that
is furthest from the passing vehicle. It might invite the
other driver to cut back into your lane too early. If you
ride any closer to them, you could be hit by the other
vehicle, something thrown from the windows, extended
mirrors, or blasts of wind from large vehicles.
PARKED CARS: When passing parked cars, stay toward
the left of your lane. You can avoid problems caused by
doors opening, drivers getting out of cars, people step-
ping from between cars and cars pulling away from the
curb. A car making a sudden U-turn may cut you off
entirely, blocking the whole roadway and leaving you
with no place to go.
LANE SHARERS: Cars and motorcycles need a full lane
to operate safely. Don’t ride between rows of stopped
cars in the same lane. Discourage lane sharing by riding
in a center lane position whenever other drivers might
be tempted to squeeze by you. Drivers are most tempted
WRGRWKLVLQKHDY\WUDIÀFZKHQSDVVLQJZKHQ\RXDUH
preparing to turn and at freeway entrance and exit ramps.
MERGING CARS: Drivers on
an entrance ramp may not see
you on the highway. Give them
plenty of room. Change to an-
other lane, if it is open. If there is
no room for a lane change, adjust
speed accordingly to open up
space for the merging driver to
pull into.
7. SIPDE
Good experienced riders remain aware of what is going
on around them. They improve their riding strategy by
using Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute (SIPDE).
7KLVLVDÀYHVWHSSURFHVVXVHGWRPDNHMXGJPHQWVDQG
WDNHDFWLRQLQWUDIÀF
