When faced with a charging Elephant, or a driver full of rage just because you look like you’re having fun, you may need to use some of those slow speed skills I’m always
talking about. Of course, looking 12 seconds ahead will give you a fuller vision of what’s to come and knowing what’s up will prepare you, but this is in a perfect world where
there are no homeless vets, or abused kids. In our world stuff happens, in our world of riding motorcycles among four wheelers we are subject to situations that will require
either speeding up, swerving, or slowing down.
Accelerating in a situation has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that scooters are quick and able to move out of the way if need be. The disadvantages of
acceleration are that Kinetic energy increases faster than speed, an accident at 40 mph would be twice the force of an impact at 30 mph. Taking evasive measures like
swerving, or braking, are also much more difficult if you chose to accelerate.
Swerving in most situations is usually the best maneuver. Although this move also has its’ pros and cons. Swerving will not increase your forward speed and done correctly will
allow you to straighten up and brake hard without increasing your braking distance. Any braking or decelerating done during a swerve will decrease traction to the rear wheel
and should be avoided. Deciding to swerve or not to swerve is tough. In a situation that’s unpredictable like an animal in the road it’s best not to swerve, but to slow down
and continue straight ahead Fred.
Braking is the most common evasive maneuver we will do. Brake before you swerve if you need to slow down a bit (dead animal or pot hole), and brake, but do not swerve
when approaching a live animal in the road. In intersections cover your brakes and be ready, this can save you some valuable real-estate. At 40 mph you should be able to
stop within 100 feet with a half second reaction time. This Grasshopper, is the most valuable maneuver you can practice. If you have time to do anything, you have time to
brake. Your tires have way more traction than plastic and metal so if you can’t avoid a crash, at least minimize the speed of impact with the rubberside down.
John ‘Hammer’ Hanzlik
ALR Road Captain
Post 1 Omaha

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