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Yesterday concluded the 2016 Rider IQ Challenge. Every answer, whether right or wrong, earned members one entry to the contest. Congratulations to our winner, Kimberly Curtis!
Read on to see how your answers stacked up.
Remember, if you joined after July 1, and haven’t yet taken the Pledge, doing so before September 30 enters you for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. And, stay tuned for information on our season-long giveaway!
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Question 1: According to the “Hurt Study,” the average motorcycle accident occurs at approximately what speed – 20 mph, 30 mph or 40 mph?
The Hurt Study is a comprehensive motorcycle accident report by researcher Harry Hurt with funds from the NHTSA. According to the study: The median pre-crash speed was 29.8 mph, and the median crash speed was 21.5 mph, and the one-in-a-thousand crash speed is approximately 86 mph.
The answer we consider correct is “at 20 mph” since this is the “contact” speed and is WHY we advocate use of FULL PROTECTIVE GEAR when riding to reduce injuries and potentially SAVE YOUR LIFE! Many riders believe protective gear is “useless” based on incorrect assumptions regarding accident speeds and just HOW gear is designed for the “sliding” on the roadway (you can check out race accident footage on YouTube).
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Question 2: What one piece of riding gear can REDUCE your chance of being involved in an accident by 37 percent?
The answer is HIGH VIS (high visibility) and/or REFLECTIVE GEAR (high vis during day, reflective at night).
High vis vests, jackets, helmets, backpacks, gloves, rain gear, etc. have been shown to reduce your accident risk by 37 percent ... exactly “why” can be debated as many have brought up the point that riders who ACTUALLY WEAR high vis gear are more safety conscious to begin with. You can get more information including a 'mini quiz' to further test your High Vis knowledge here:
“How does High Vis Work” & mini quiz
“Where's Your Neon?”
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Question 3: Can you name ONE visual or awareness “cue” that predicts an approaching intersection?
From our friends at Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training comes a number of “cues” including: an intersection sign; dangerous intersection sign; seeing a street name sign as you approach a hill crest; traffic lights in the distance; “stop ahead” sign; noticing an angled stop sign to your right, indicating an intersecting roadway; a “break” in a guard rail, tree line, hillside, curb line, fence, or sidewalk; a mailbox, indicating a potential driveway; roof line of a building over a hill crest; business district signs or driveways; turn signals from vehicles you are following or that are approaching you; and exit, merge, and lane change signs on highways. More advanced cues include seeing a break in yellow centerlines or the white “fog” line (especially helpful on curves with limited visual leads); construction zones (different traffic patterns including intersecting traffic and work vehicles); noticing a car approaching a potential intersection by looking across or through a yard, field, or parking lot; or perhaps even a convex mirror posted up high along the opposite side of the road indicating a “blind” exit of a roadway or driveway.
There are MANY, MANY “Clues and Cues” for all of us to BE PROACTIVE and be IN CONTROL of our ride, rather than relying on our braking or swerving skills and remaining at the mercy of “fate.”
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Question 4: Which brake has the MOST STOPPING POWER and WHY?
The front brake has approximately 70 percent of your motorcycle's stopping power due to the weight transfer experienced during the braking or deceleration process. As weight is transferred forward, the contact patch of the front tire increases (flattens down) providing more traction with that wheel. More Traction = More Braking Potential.
For MAXIMUM braking, BOTH BRAKES are to be utilized. Remember ... it's a PROGRESSIVE SQUEEZE on the front brake - begin with light pressure and gradually increase as weight moves forward ... “light” pressure with the rear to avoid a skid.
LEARN MORE on HOW to Brake Properly with all our Training Partners: Live Free Ride Alive, Stayin' Safe Motorcycle Training, and ProRider Pittsburgh.
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Question 5: We know turning the head and eyes are especially important when making slow, tight turns. Can you name the three other motorcycle control “tools” utilized when performing slow, tight maneuvers?
According to BJ McMullen of ProRider Pittsburgh, the information taught in their riding program is the use of the clutch, rear brake, and throttle to control your bike during slow speed and tight maneuvers. The clutch is kept within the friction zone, the throttle is held steady, slightly open, and light pressure is applied to the rear brake to help stabilize the bike (“dragging” the rear brake). In addition, LOOKING where you want to go by turning your head, chest, and hips in the direction desired is likewise part of the Slow Speed Control Matrix.
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Question 6: Distracted driving is becoming an increasingly dangerous reality for all motorcyclists especially when stopped at a red light or slowing in heavy traffic. What is one tip you would offer that could help reduce your risk of being struck from behind by a distracted driver?
“Managing” the traffic behind you begins as you APPROACH any normal stop or slowing situation. We use the S.T.O.P. acronym when teaching students HOW to do just that.
S – Slow & Show. Begin slowing down and “show” the traffic behind you by flashing your brake light two to three times (downshifting alone may make it difficult for others to recognize your bike slowing).
T –Take your Time. Manage the speed of the vehicles behind you by slowing your approach speed (if you come in “hot,” you are more likely to “drag” the vehicles behind you in at that same speed).
O – Observation. Continue to monitor the situation with 360 degree awareness, while slowing and when stopped.
P – Position & Posture. Position yourself one to two bike lengths behind the vehicle in front of you with an escape route already planned and remain in a “tactical ready” posture, bike in first gear / clutch in, left foot on ground, right on rear brake, and right hand ready with throttle.
BE PREPARED to continue flashing your brake light if possible to “wake up” those approaching from behind. High vis helmets, jackets, vests, backpacks, etc. are also useful in gaining attention.
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Question 7: Missing this one thing from your motorcycle riding “safety matrix” can increase your chances of being injured or killed in a motorcycle accident by 148 percent - What is this one item?
According to Live Free Ride Alive, WITHOUT TRAINING you are 148 percent MORE LIKELY to die or be injured in a motorcycle crash. Wearing a helmet DOES reduce the risk of a motorcycle fatality by 37 percent (NHSTA). The message? GET TRAINING and GEAR UP!
We know from the previously cited “Hurt Study” that 90 percent of those involved in a motorcycle crash are self-taught, or have been shown how to ride by a friend or family member.
BE BETTER and Ride Better. Go to our Training Links at SnydersRiders.com to learn more about Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Rider Training.
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