Dublin Motorcycle Touring Club

Surviving Irish Roads

I wrote this page in 2004 after reading of the tragic deaths, within a twenty-four hour period, of three motorcyclists in three unrelated road incidents. As is repeatedly said, "Its tough on the streets, they're out to get you". Learn the art of self defence - practice pro-active motorcycling - read the road. You are responsible for your safety. Your safety is your problem. Right of way doesn't stop the pain!

Driving requires concentration, and motorcycle driving requires total concentration. RoSPA have a 178-page book on the subject. Here's a 5-minute summary within a single web-page. Better still do a short refresher course with a RoSPA-grade advanced motorcycle trainer. Consult the New Rider webpage.

The foundation of safe motorcycling is based on using realtime information to dictate your response to hazards as you ride your motorcycle. The faster you respond, the safer you will become!

Information gained by	sight	dictates your response by changing your	position
	sound		speed
	smell		gear
	experience		acceleration

Information	Learn the riding environment by continuous observation. Move your eyes all the time as you visually scan the distance, mid-ground, fore-ground, sides, blind spots and rear, including mirrors, so that you are aware of hazards and situations that have the potential for danger in any shape or size. Everything is a potential hazard - cars, bends or crests, roadside cottages, petrol stations, scan road surfaces for diesel, rough surfaces, metal covers or loose gravel, farm gates, tractors, sheep, fresh cow pats, junctions, pedestrians, dogs, advance warning signs, speed limit signs, blinding sun, winds or wet roads, ... The list goes on. You have only to get on you bike, before start to meet the first hazards with potential for danger. As you travel you are seeing new hazards all the time. Use the following 4 keywords to safely handle and get past them. At night you wouldn't react to hazards, like road debris, as fast as in daylght, so slow down. Adjust your speed according to how well you can see, the complexity of the situation and the distance it will take you to stop if things turn nasty!
Position	You should use your flexibility in positioning your motorcycle to compensate for your vulnerability as a road user. Choose a position on the road to maximise your safety - to give early views through bends or past vehicles, to allow for pedestrians, to best sight the limit point on bends, for good safety margins, space for overtaking, the best position for turns. Be aware of every blind spot. Leave a gap of at least 2 seconds between you and the vehicle in front. Position is critical to safety! Never sacrifice your safety for position!
Speed	National speed limit is 100 kph (60 mph) and 80 kph (50 mph) in places, Motorway speed limit 120 kph (70 mph), and Urban limit is 60kph (40 mph) & 50 kph (30 mph). Maximum speed limits are not the same as safe speed. Avoid late braking and match your gears to your speed as you slow. Use the limit point to judge the safe speed to ride bends. Drop a gear or two on entering an urban area as you slow down. Be aware of manned & unmanned Garda speed cameras on fast main roads and at points where speed limits drop. Current laser speed guns have an effective range of over 1,000 yards and you are 'clocked' long before you see the Garda. Adjust your speed for visible hazards and possible unseen hazards. Remember: "Can I stop in the distance I see to be clear?"
Gear	Choose the gear that gives you greatest flexibility for the road hazard and speed. Avoid late down changes. Too often we're crusin' at low speeds in too high a gear for a safe and immediate response!
Acceleration	You hold the throtle in your right hand and the ability to vary machine speed, in response to changing conditions, by accurate use the throttle is a key riding skill, and is used to maintain your speed and stability through every hazard.

Don't Drink or take Drugs and Drive!	Combat fatigue by wearing clothing that provides protection and is appropriate - consider ear plugs - take a break about every two hours.	Ride Defensively See & Be Seen!

Develop riding habits to ensure full integration with other types of road users. In other words don't surprise them - Ride safely and avoid aggressive and competitive riding. - Save petrol and reduce pollution by avoiding unnecessary idling of engines. - Ride politely and limit noise pollution by using your horn only in an emergency. - Noise annoys. Use a standard or another quiet exhaust system and keep audio systems at a low level. - Use only routes that are legally available to motorcyclists. - Ride like a professional by riding at a quiet and unobtrusive pace when riding in groups. - Respect nature by not traveling on routes that risk being damaged beyond a point of natural recovery. - Protect wildlife and its natural habitat by riding intelligently - Take responsibility for ensuring that your used oil, tyres, batteries and other recyclable items are properly recycled. - Encourage fuel efficiency and space economy by riding motorcycles instead of driving automobiles.