STREET SMART

January 6, 2007

I'll try to answer some

2) Traffic on the major rd quite heavy, esp during peak hrs.. Vehicles on the filter lane will take every opportunity to merge into the major lane to save time for waiting for the traffic light..

If the vehicle is merging onto centre lane already. like half way, you can inch forward slowly too, being prepared for the vehicle to stop suddenly due to oncoming and your cover gone half also. Slow is the key. As you inch forward you are signalling your intention too. Watch out the vehicle can cut or swerve into your lane too, although it is supposed to merge with middle lane.

6) The vehicles on the right will tend to slowly inch out, sometimes blocking my view.. I dun wan to risk turning together with the vehicle on my right. The vehicle is turning into the centre lane, while I'm turning into the left lane

It is ok to turn together using the vehicle as cover, especially if its a large vehicle. We always do that at junctions. The important thing to take note is to use the cover fully. Dun go ahead of him because you're in the blind, and oncoming vehicles can cause your cover to brake suddenly to give way. If you're ahead of him... well.... Dun be ahead.

7) Reason being, if there's a vehicle coming from the major rd into the left lane, if i cannot c the vehicle, means oso the vehicle cannot c me.. The vehicle on my right turns into centre lane, it's ok.. but i'll be in trouble coz I may be blocking the vehicle coming from the major rd.. Btw, I nv squeeze beside vehicle coz i scare.. I take 1 lane by myself, with the cars behind me..

Its rare a vehicle swerves from lane 1 to 3 but it happens. Use your cover adequately and be alert and prepared to e brake in case your cover brakes and oncoming vehicle cuts in aggreesively.

There is always a risk involved in using a cover for filter lanes and especially right turns. Sometimes its better to be patient rather then place your safety totally in the judgement of your cover. At junctions its best that you're able to judge can clear oncoming, than use your cover and go together. You cover is not full proof. If its a 5 tonner, trailer or double deck bus, no cover can save you from the impact. If in doubt, dun go.

Have a safe ride.

Technician III · January 6, 2007

7) Reason being, if there's a vehicle coming from the major rd into the left lane, if i cannot c the vehicle, means oso the vehicle cannot c me.. The vehicle on my right turns into centre lane, it's ok.. but i'll be in trouble coz I may be blocking the vehicle coming from the major rd.. Btw, I nv squeeze beside vehicle coz i scare.. I take 1 lane by myself, with the cars behind me..

Its rare a vehicle swerves from lane 1 to 3 but it happens. Use your cover adequately and be alert and prepared to e brake in case your cover brakes and oncoming vehicle cuts in aggreesively.

Hmm.. Actually, i mean the vehicle is on the left lane of the major rd oso.. I tink I get what u mean liao.. So we juz the vehicle beside me as a cover.. If the vehicle can move, it oso means tat there's a gap in the traffic from the major rd.. So if the vehicle moves, then i juz follow.. Is tat what u mean?

Thanks for ur advice..

January 6, 2007

On a side note, i would like like to insist on using your own judgement together with your covers' before turning together. Reason being: If your cover is a incompetent driver who makes a right turn when he should not, and he hits a L plate driver who's instructor and learner didn't brake in time due to the sudden slowing down into the right turn pocket and sudden acceleration, you (the rider) being in the cover is of NO USE. You cannot brake in time as compared to the stopping power of a head on collision between 2 vehicles. If the right turning vehicle (your cover) hits the rear of the oncoming, the oncoming vehicle will almost J-turn and spin onto the centre lane, hitting you.

I know because I was the L plate driver. Lucky got no rider use the car for cover. Dun be caught there.

Use your cover together with your judgement, dun suka suka follow. Riders always lose out when Sh*t happens.

January 6, 2007

Originally posted by Technician III@January 06, 2007 02:48 pm
So we juz the vehicle beside me as a cover.. If the vehicle can move, it oso means tat there's a gap in the traffic from the major rd.. So if the vehicle moves, then i juz follow.. Is tat what u mean?

Thanks for ur advice..

For filter lane ok lah. For right turn better not. Like you said, in the filter lane you dun go kenna hone also when its pretty safe to follow. But at right turns, the impact of a oncoming at 50km/h hitting a turning vehicle at 30km/h can be pretty drastic. Best not to follow if you can't see far enough into the oncoming traffic.

Advice? Nah la.. I'm just a fellow new rider sharing my 2 cents' worth

zhiyuan · January 7, 2007

I just bought a FF. Should I be wearing it everyday or just wear it for long trips?

Technician III · January 8, 2007

Hmm.. Since u use ur hard-earned money to buy ur ff, use it loh.. No point u treat it as a treasure, keep it at hm and use it when necessary mah.. Anyway, ff helmet offers u gd protection.. Tat time i accident my visor of my open face helmet broke off liao.. Lucky i nv kena face 1st..

czh2002sg: Thanks for ur advice..

SaintDuDu · January 12, 2007

Originally posted by Hopelessly Stupid@January 08, 2007 12:18 am
I just bought a FF. Should I be wearing it everyday or just wear it for long trips?

its up to individual.... for overseas trip.. its a must for mi...

LimHammett · January 12, 2007

bro.. might as well use it man..

just like wat bro technician said.. we use our hard earned money to buy it and wats the use of putting it at home for display..

as for me my ff is my everyday helmet.. bought it since the first day i ride bike on the road..

xb84 · January 13, 2007

pls use ur ff.

i was riding regularly and didnt expect to buang.

in the end buang with my half face and kanna cut and 4 stitches just above the eye by the flying visor.

i wished i was wearing my ff.

Spectrum · January 18, 2007

FULL FACE HELMET:

http://www.hjc-helmets.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/ac12carbonTN.jpg

It is best if u can to get

Use to Wearing it all the Time.

Just not too long ago...

On of our riders went down

With cuts on the chin.

FF at home.... Pity...

A FF of High Spd riding should be Tight...

For riding in the city..

The models to choose from should be just fitting.

It will be more comfortable in our heat.

But it is gd to be get use to using a FF.

U just won't know when u hit the dust...

The HJC FF are quite comfortable...

January 20, 2007

Junctions: The no 1 Bike Killer

Some time back I remember reading about the young Malay lady who crashed her wave at a junction, where a heavy vehicle made a right turn into her against her right of way. The young lady and her best friend passed away. Around the same period one year ago, when i was a "P" plate driver, a woman drove into me after slowing down into the pocket and suddenly speeding up at the last moment. My car J turned along ang mo kio ave 4 at the junction with Yio Chu Kang Road, skidding from lane 3 to lane 2 and facing oncoming traffic. My instructor and I could not react in time. Traffic was very light that day on a sunday early afternoon with clear skies. What caused the accident? Was it the driver stepping on the wrong pedal at the last moment? Distracted by her little daughter at the back? Inattention? I was driving at 50km/h. Accidents need not happen. Lives need not be lossed.

Today i adopt 4 approaches at junctions.

1. No oncoming in opposite turning lanes and the adjacent non turning lane, light traffic-Hold speed, maintain throttle and look for filter lane oncoming. Slow down if there is oncoming from filter lane. Reason being a vehicle approaching in a non turning lane from the oncoming may still swerve in and make a right turn.

2. Vehicle approaching in turning lanes but looks likely to reach turning pocket after i pass junction, and vehicle no accelerating.-Slow down to 50 or 60 and flash intermitent braking.

3. Vehicles lined up in right turn pocket, not moving-Slow down to 50. Hone if vehicle appears to be inching before you can pass.

4.This is the worst i think: Vehicle looking to approach right turn pocket at the same time as i enter junction. I do feel it is necessary to slow down to below 50. And get in high alert mode, ready to e brake any time. There is a certain point of no return when you approach a junction, beyond which any vehicle crossing your path will result in a collision. Our responsibility is to delay that point as far back as possible, and to reduce the impact if a collision really occurs. It is OK to slow down to 40, (which on my NSR speedo means probably 35 in reality), when a oncoming is moving fast into the pocket as you reach the junction. If you have been flashing intermittent in advance, the vehicle behind should be slowing down. Remember, 50 was still too fast for a driving instructor and me to react. 2 brake pedals also useless. At least i can boast my driving lessons was really comprehensive at SSDC. Even making police report also got cover How much each rider wants to slow down is matter of personal judgement, but it may be wiser to err on the side of caution, because most lives are lost here.

Have a safe ride

saboon · January 20, 2007

Originally posted by czh2002sg@January 20, 2007 10:08 pm
Junctions: The no 1 Bike Killer

Some time back I remember reading about the young Malay lady who crashed her wave at a junction, where a heavy vehicle made a right turn into her against her right of way. The young lady and her best friend passed away. Around the same period one year ago, when i was a "P" plate driver, a woman drove into me after slowing down into the pocket and suddenly speeding up at the last moment. My car J turned along ang mo kio ave 4 at the junction with Yio Chu Kang Road, skidding from lane 3 to lane 2 and facing oncoming traffic. My instructor and I could not react in time. Traffic was very light that day on a sunday early afternoon with clear skies. What caused the accident? Was it the driver stepping on the wrong pedal at the last moment? Distracted by her little daughter at the back? Inattention? I was driving at 50km/h. Accidents need not happen. Lives need not be lossed.

Today i adopt 4 approaches at junctions.
1. No oncoming in opposite turning lanes and the adjacent non turning lane, light traffic-Hold speed, maintain throttle and look for filter lane oncoming. Slow down if there is oncoming from filter lane. Reason being a vehicle approaching in a non turning lane from the oncoming may still swerve in and make a right turn.

2. Vehicle approaching in turning lanes but looks likely to reach turning pocket after i pass junction, and vehicle no accelerating.-Slow down to 50 or 60 and flash intermitent braking.

3. Vehicles lined up in right turn pocket, not moving-Slow down to 50. Hone if vehicle appears to be inching before you can pass.

4.This is the worst i think: Vehicle looking to approach right turn pocket at the same time as i enter junction. I do feel it is necessary to slow down to below 50. And get in high alert mode, ready to e brake any time. There is a certain point of no return when you approach a junction, beyond which any vehicle crossing your path will result in a collision. Our responsibility is to delay that point as far back as possible, and to reduce the impact if a collision really occurs. It is OK to slow down to 40, (which on my NSR speedo means probably 35 in reality), when a oncoming is moving fast into the pocket as you reach the junction. If you have been flashing intermittent in advance, the vehicle behind should be slowing down. Remember, 50 was still too fast for a driving instructor and me to react. 2 brake pedals also useless. At least i can boast my driving lessons was really comprehensive at SSDC. Even making police report also got cover How much each rider wants to slow down is matter of personal judgement, but it may be wiser to err on the side of caution, because most lives are lost here.

Have a safe ride

Nice overview czh2002sg.

Something i do when i approach a junction with cars in the pocket is to give a friendly flash flash of my light to tell them i am going to pass through.(Especially when i am the only bike going straight)

The other thing i check is whether my signal lights are off and not flashing. (Coz i know of cases where ppl got into accidents because the car in the pocket saw the flashing signal and thought the bike was going to turn. In the end the car turned straight into the path of the oncoming bike)

Lastly, i am also weary of the "follow the leader syndrome". Cars following one another to turn without checking if there is a green arrow or if there are any approaching traffic and just following the "leader" blindly.

Regulating of speed before approaching the junction would be by far the most crucial part of passing through junctions.

Luckily the accident that you were involved in occured while you were in a car. It would be much worse if you happen to be on a bike.

Ride safe and enjoy the ride.

endlessloop · January 21, 2007

Good points from B]Czh2002sg[/b] and Saboon[ on handling junction.

The scenario is specifically, a cross yellow-box junction with traffic lights with you, the rider is going straight and the lights green in your favour.

I would like to add one of the most hazardous scenario in such a scenario is when:

From a distance when approaching the junction, you can see that the light is green in your favour. But

Your line of vision to whether there are any pockets of cars waiting in the opposite incoming direction to cross-your path

are blocked by

large vehicles (such as double decker buses or big lorries)

waiting in the pocket of your own direction to turn right.

This means that sometimes, you almost can't see whether there are any cars that might cross into your path until perhaps one white arrow or less from the traffic light (there are usually 3 arrows on the floor before the traffic light). And if you can't see the car, it means the car waiting there can't see you.

The danger of such a case is that by the time you spot there is a car waiting in the pocket and might cross into your path and then you start to brake to slow down, it leads to 1) you might not slow down in time. 2) you make a sudden slow down in speed and the car behind you might not be able to slow down in time.

So my advice for such as case is pre-emptive braking and just assume the worst that there is a car waiting in the blind spot.

So you start to drop your speed before you hit the 3rd white arrow on the floor so that your speed is a gradual drop than a sudden one. This avoids the problem of cars behind slamming behind you and also buys you time to she sufficient speed.

In my opinion, there is no strict guideline on if 40kmh is a safe enough speed when crossing the junction or should it be 60 or 20kmh. It all depends on what speed at that particular instance you are comfortable to e-brake and stop in time (eg: what if you are carrying a pillion?).

Once you see there are no cars at the pocket or you have cleared the pocket, then you can then accelerate out of the traffic. Use the advantages of a bike: very easy to brake and very easy to pick up speed. Don't be lazy and maintain constant speed when crossing a junction.

I would like to add that this is only one of the many possible scenarioes that can handle in a cross junction. And there are other types of junction. So there are many possible complications and possible scenarioes that can go wrong. Maybe that's another reason why junctions have many accidents.

January 21, 2007

Hmm.. Noted. Thanks for adding on to the insufficiencies of my post, especially Endless's much chanted mantra "its what you can't see that can hurt you, on top of using HOV to constantly be aware of your surrounding.

Spectrum · January 24, 2007

The Junction:

- Slow down to a spd that u can take avoiding actions or Stop is gd

- Flashing or a Friendly Horn is for him to know u are coming.

- Riding with a big vehicle on your left will give some protection.

But there is so much we can do...

If the guy slow down & hit the fue pedal.. "*&%$"

Minor Junction:

Me with the right of way

Did a cautious approach.

Seeing the other vehicle slowing down as he approaches the stop sigh..

I decide to continue so accelerate...

The car changes his mind and decides not to stop...

CRASH! Me hit him in the middle of his car!

What's he thinking...

He said he did not see stop sign.

(reason: The rest of the 4 junction he went thru, he had the right of way)

He was lookin for a address...

Fortunately, no one was hurt.

He car badly dented at the side...

me.. nil damage.

Just when u think it is safe... U can only do so much.

At least I was Slow...

Spectrum · January 26, 2007

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/Streetsmart159m.jpg

SLEEPING ON THE RIDE

Something that Affects all of us on Tour.

(especially on a nite ride after a day of work)

But - No matter even if we slept well the nite before.

No one is Spared!

The Last Guy that didn't get away end up smashing into

the pillar of a overhead bridge in Thailand.

Spinal injuries - unable to use hands now.

I have also observed a car hit the side barriers before waking up.

But he is safe... just some damage to his vehicle.

Not if u are on a bike.

IMPORTANT!

Recognize:

That u Are falling asleep....

- Feeling tire & unable to prevent your eyes shutting.

Do Something About It:

- Some good suggestion from above... Including watering the Plants

by the side of the rd/highway.

U need a break... Be it 5min or more...- If u are in a group...

Speed up.. Go Ahead... signal to leader... sleepy.

Then slow down or stop at a safe place with your hazard/signal lites

If u pull into a rest area... Go pick up a can of 100plus...

Does wonders.

Close your eyes for a few seconds & it may end your ridiing.

gohjohan · January 26, 2007

Originally posted by Spectrum@January 26, 2007 10:57 am
SLEEPING ON THE ROAD

Something that Affects all of us on Tour.
(especially on a nite ride after a day of work)
But - No matter even if we slept well the nite before.
No one is Spared!

The Last Guy that didn't get away end up smashing into
the pillar of a overhead bridge in Thailand.
Spinal injuries - unable to use hands now.

IMPORTANT!

Recognize:
That u Are falling asleep....
- Feeling tire & unable to prevent your eyes shutting.

Do Something About It:

- Some good suggestion from above... Including watering the Plants
by the side of the rd/highway.
U need a break... Be it 5min or more...- If u are in a group...
Speed up.. Go Ahead... signal to leader... sleepy.
Then slow down or stop at a safe place with your hazard/signal lites
If u pull into a rest area... Go pick up a can of 100plus...
Does wonders.

Close your eyes for a few seconds & it may end your ridiing.

For us guys, it's easy to water the plants but for our female counterparts, is it still possible?

For signalling that the rider is tired, how is the signalling done? Also what should be the lead's bike decision? (e.g to move on faster or stop?)

Spectrum · January 26, 2007

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Rides/North%20Thailand%20%202007/110m.jpg

Good Pt.. If a female does it by the road...

It will wake up the whole team when they pass by... Ha ha..

Sorry ladies... R & R please.

A pre-determind hand signal will do.

For me... I just wipe my hands over my face...

And Zoom forward... That also sets my adrenline pumping.

Helps...

Take a pic of the team coming by with a nice background...

gohjohan · January 26, 2007

Originally posted by Spectrum@January 26, 2007 11:12 am
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Rides/North%20Thailand%20%202007/110m.jpg
Good Pt.. If a female does it by the road...
It will wake up the whole team when they pass by... Ha ha..
Sorry ladies... R & R please.

A pre-determind hand signal will do.
For me... I just wipe my hands over my face...
And Zoom forward... That also sets my adrenline pumping.
Helps...
Take a pic of the team coming by with a nice background...

Of course! You told me that before Sorry, I forgot. I haven't had the chance to use it and eventually I forgot what the signal was.

So far the rides I've been with different groups, we stop within 150-200km or 1.5 hours, which ever is 1st.

endlessloop · January 27, 2007

Not to worry. For long rides with a proper convoy system, there's always the sweeper (the last bike).

If feel tired, if can't even see the first bike (because the convoy is too long), it's ok.

Just pull over to the road side and take a break.

Let the rest of the convoy past by you. It's ok.

Eventually, the sweeper will see you and just stop beside you.

Troubling the sweeper for taking a break?

It's ok. It's a nice change of pace for the sweeper too. He needs a break as well as you.

When rest sufficiently (be it 5 min or 15 min), then hope on and catch up.

That's a nice change of pace again.

Stopping at regular 1 hour interval does not stop the drowziness from falling in.

So don't be stubborn to fight against the zzz monster when it strikes.

This monster is very powerful. You seldom will win the fight going head on.

Just spend 5 min pulled over and get it done with, rather than fighting for 30 min in a half-awake situation (and still end up losing).

The zzz monster strikes not only on long convoy trips.

It strikes even within singapore commuting.

When doing my annual reservist training, at the end of the day when I booked out from Tekong and ride towards the western end of our island along PIE, with the setting sun blazing straight into my tired eyes, I find myself have to stop not once, not twice, but three times along the PIE because the zzz monster keeps coming back.

I just pull over by the road shoulder along the PIE and just watch the cars pass by. Slowly the zzz monster will retreat.

Technician III · January 30, 2007

Hi guys.. Anyone of u got use the blindspot mirrors on ur bike? I dunno wat izzit called but it's a small round mirror that gives u a wide view of its surroundings..

I wanna ask if using this blindspot mirrors will completely eliminate the need to check blind spots? Which also means u can change ur lane safely without turning ur head to check for blind spots?

Sorry if my post sounds abit

singrider · January 31, 2007

Hi all

The latest TP road accidents for 2006 was publised yesterday. See following thread

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forum/index....howtopic=147072

Not surprisingly motorcyclists and pillion riders have d highest fatalities. TP says they will focus more on education and getting experience riders and clubs involved.

Spectrum · February 1, 2007

The Danger will always be there...

But it need not be u...

Riding can be safe...

U just need to know where to look.

And if u can...

Share your rd experiences.

That may just save someone from serious injuries..

February 3, 2007

Hmm.. Seems no one replying to the blindspot question. Following a meetup with some riding khakis yesterday, Gabng shared an interesting experience. He was changing lane after merging into major road from minor road. He swore he checked both side and blindspot mirror and saw nothing, but did a physical check by turning his head and saw a black Merc without lights on. It happened at night. Some people really asking to get @% by contributing to accident rates.

Thereotically blindspot mirrors eliminate the need to check blindspots, if not put them for what right? But in reality, one school of thought is to use it mainly for awareness of your blindspots while riding straight. As dudu says "turn your head won't die right". On the other hand, dun turn or dun check properly may die is not an understatement sometimes. However, an alternative viewpoint is we are perfectly fine depending on them for turning, lane changing etc. After hearing Gabng's experience, I would prefer to at least turn my head at night or in bad visibility to reconcile the two opinions. As for position of the blindspot mirrors, it depends on individual. Me small bike, so if right mirror put top right corner and left mirror put top left it covers too much of my side mirror that it hinders rather than helps me. So silverbandit suggested her method. Right mirror put bottom left, left mirror put bottom right, the area where you usually see a bit of your arm. Might as well cover right? See your arm for what? Each rider has his/her uses and habits with or without blindspot mirrors, and the bottom line is to find one that suits you. And for first time users who are unaware of a plain obvious fact, these blindspot mirrors make vehicles appear further and smaller than they actually are. So get to used to it for a while first before fully trusting it. hope it helps. Attached a sample of left mirror, courtesy of silverbandit.

Technician III · February 3, 2007

Hmm.. gd idea on ur part.. Coz we cannot depend everything on the blind spot mirror.. I oso prefer to use the main mirrors for viewing coz it is more accurate.. I will use ur method to try if it suits me when I get my bike back.. Thanks for contributing ur idea..

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