Tips For Driving Bike In City

have been driving motorcycle since last 5 years and came across many people who have been driving for more than 20-30 years without the much needed driving sense. In these 5 years I have been to long tours for more than 20 times each covering at least 700 kms. During those trips and while driving within the city I have seen more accidents of other vehicles like cars, trucks, buses etc than bikes. If a survey is done on no of accidents as per vehicles the nos will definitely surprise a lot of people who think bike driving is more accident prone. Most of the bike accidents you see around in the city are not because of the bike itself but because of its riders lack of driving sense. Guys, I am not encouraging bike driving but just want to say thats its not that bad as people think especially parents of teenagers. Okk lets come to the point. Here are few tips of driving bike in city environment where everything on road is unpredictable. RULE 1 The most important rule to follow not only while driving bike but any other vehicle is NOT TO TRUST ANYONE. If one starts following only this rule youll be less prone to accidents on road. Many a times I have come across people saying there was no mistake of mine, that car overtook from my left. but matter of fact is that you suffered at the end. why??? because you trusted the other driver that hell follow the road rules. So whats the best way? Never trust anyone before taking any moves like overtaking, braking or cutting lane without having a good look around. RULE 2 Never remove your rear view mirror and learn to use it. I have a lot of bike drivers ignoring the importance of the rear view mirror. Let me tell you guys that its not just for the name sake. Its very important and its illegal to drive without rear view mirror in most of the countries. Always have a look in the rear view mirror before overtaking, braking and cutting lanes. Just imagine a speeding truck coming from your rear on right lane and you just decided to overtake the car ahead of you. You maneuvered your bike without looking in the rear view. What would happen after that is you can imagine very well. RULE 3 Keep scanning the road every second. Be on the bike only while driving, not thinking about where I should take my girlfriend this weekend..! You just lose your concentration on road for a second and the truck ahead of you hit

the breaks in panic seeing a child running across the road. Now thats just a matter of a second, in some cases even less than 1/10th of a second.

Intersections are our toughest challenges. This rider is moving into the right side of his lane to gain and give the most unobstructed view possible, a good idea since the car waiting to turn left is all but blinded by the UPS truck. Slow down, cover your brakes, and use your lane to position yourself for maximum conspicuity. RULE 4 Keep Safe distance.that is what you read on many public careers. That has a meaning. Follow a simple rule about the maintaining distance.. more the speed of your bike, more the distance. I follow a simple math to keep this distance. 1 METER PER 10KMPH OF SPEED INCREASE. Didnt get that?

Let give you a couple of example. If you are driving at 40kmph keep AT LEAST 4 meters distance. If you are driving at 100 kmph keep away AT LEAST by 10 meters.

An ugly chain reaction can be started when a car squeezes into the right lane of a crowded freeway, and you'll be affected if you don't take action. Predict possible outcomes and place yourself safely in surrounding traffic. Often that means safely accelerating ahead of the mess. RULE 5 Always use your signal lights. Those lights are not only meant for good looks of the bike but for some safety purpose. Get into the habit of using signal lights on turns, overtakings, and parking. Your signal gives the vehicle behind you a hint of your movement and makes him more conscious. RULE 6 Always try to avoid blind spots. What are these blind spots..? If you can't see the driver's face in the car's mirror, that driver can't see you and you simply don't exist. Place blind-spot avoidance on top of your priority list for urban survival. Use acceleration, deceleration and lane position to "ride in the mirrors" of the cars around you. Of course, just because you're riding in the mirrors of a car doesn't mean that driver will use that mirror before changing lanes into you. Position yourself so that if the driver fails to see you in the mirror, you still aren't in danger of getting tagged. You will know when you're riding well and staying clear of blind spots because you are no longer using your horn to warn encroaching drivers of your presence; they've already seen you in the mirror, alongside or ahead. Follow this simple rule : The road is there for you only till you can see it. If you cant see the road ahead which may be hidden due to a trailer, bus or

even by a car then assume no road ahead. Dont just overtake blindly without having clear view of the road ahead. RULE 7 Give extra attention while crossing or taking turn on intersections of roads. Most of the city accidents happen on road crossings or intersections. RULE 8 Keep an extra distance if you see any vehicle not driving steadily and cutting lanes. Try to accelerate ahead or fall behind but dont run alongside. In fact you should avoid side by side driving even with your friends. In case one of them loses balance, all are more prone to join him. RULE 9 Make room for others errors. In case you haven't noticed, drivers make mistakes. Dozens of them, from no turn signal to last-minute freeway exits to locked brakes at a yellow light to-well, how long a list do you need? You won't change the mistakes being made out there, but by recognizing and giving them room to happen, you won't be negatively affected by them either. There's no reason to get upset, violent, aggressive or reactionary; once you begin to make room for mistakes, it becomes almost humorous to watch the stupidity around you because you will no longer be taken by surprise or put in danger. RULE 10 Slow downSlowing down allows you to stop before becoming involved in someone else's mistake. Even if you're the king of braking, it takes more distance to stop a bike from 50 mph than it does from 30 mph; that extra distance usually isn't available to bikers. Slowing down gives your brain a chance to notice things and more time to react. Your peripheral vision widens and you relax enough to read and predict traffic.

Always wear a helmet! Happy biking.

Driving Tips & Precautions During Monsoon Or Wet Road Condition

Once again the rainy season is here and giving shivers to all who are frightened to drive on wet & slippery if not, read on this article for some handy tips that will help you drive safely in rainy season.

Before monsoon arrives Even before monsoon arrives, do take your car, bike or any other vehicle to the service station. Ready your vehic Checking simple things like tyres, brakes, wipers and lights will ensure that your car doesnt fail you when the ro

you have to pay attention to:

Check condition of the tyres - the tread grooves should be of min 1.5mm to 2mm in all the tires. Look for them immediately. Check brake liners. Ensure proper functioning of the break system. Check Brake oil. Ensure good quality of electrical wiring, as monsoon is the time for most electrical failures. Replace old or brittle wipers. Ensure if the wipers, all signal lights and tail lamp are in working condition.

Even if you vehicle is well maintained and serviced, it cant substitutes you being alert and careful on the road. H driving skills specifically for the monsoon:

Wet or rainy weather conditions demand gentle use of all the main controls - steering, clutch, brake and accelerat a larger space for errors and emergencies. Small thing like driving with wet shoes can be very critical in an emerg shoes before hitting the pedals of your car. All drivers should regularly check that their headlights, taillights, brak flashlight, first aid box, spanner or ropes may not be required but it may come in handy during breakdown or any

Slow down! Always keep your vehicle within 40 kmph to 60 kmph speed limit. It takes a longer distance to stop you car in an from other vehicles moving along as you increase your speed. As a thumb rule keep a distance of 1 metre for you are driving at 40 kmph, keep a distance of at least 40/5 = 8 metres from vehicles driving along with you.

Expressway driving As already mentioned above, leave lots of space between you and the vehicle in front because it takes longer to s your tires will lock up, your car will slip and you will most likely hit the vehicle in front of you. If available, driv vehicles and less oil deposited on the road. Also, because of the built-in slope of the road, water drains towards th water tends to build up between the tire ruts in the lanes.

Turn on the head light Turn on your lights even in a light rain, or in gloomy, foggy or overcast conditions. It not only helps you to see c you.

Drive in the tracks Follow the path of a vehicle ahead of you but keep an eye on the road. This helps you to get a better picture of th panics. Note: In case of a two wheeler, never drive in middle of the vehicle running ahead of you especially a fou dumper. They tend to skip the potholes or any other obstacles right between their wheels.

Keep an eye on the brake lights in front of you Always keep your eyes wide open to see the red light in front of you. That is an indication of slowing down or br WATCH OUT Wet roads pose problems of their own. Being alert will help you identify potential hazards.

Oil deposits Keep an eye road for oil spills especially at intersections because its the place where oil tend to d falls after a long, dry spell on to roads that have become polished and smooth: the rain blends with oil and rubber form a highly dangerous skid mixture. That mixture builds up at intersections, where vehicles stop and start frequ after it starts raining because it takes a while for the worst of the dirt and oil to get washed off the road.

Check your brakes If you have just passed through a deep water hazard, check your brakes immediately for p slippery, keep driving slowly with brake peddles pushed forward softly. This will generate enough heat on brake pulling evenly on all wheels before building up speed again.

Heavy vehicles Keep an eye on heavy vehicles driving along, especially trucks laden with mud, rocks, concret distance from them. If possible drive pass ahead of them as soon as possible. DRIVING SKILL Specific conditions on the road demands fine tuning of your driving skills both for safety as well as comfort.

Manage speed: Manage speed of your vehicle as per the traction of tyres on road. Lower the traction, lower the s traction. Visibility: Adjust your speed to stop within your seeing distance according to the visibility conditions. Traffic conditions: Maintain safe space cushion all around your vehicle. Road characteristics: Shape affects traction and visibility; adjust speed for curves and hills

SKIDS: Skids are one of the most common causes for accidents and casualties during the monsoons. Here is wha skid on the road.

Handling a skid -. You can prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves. Brake before en light touch. If you find yourself in a skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas, and carefully steer in the direct go. This procedure, known as "steering into the skid," will bring the back end of your vehicle in line with the fron brakes, avoid using your brakes. To avoid hydroplaning - which occurs when the water in front of your tires build push it out of the way -- do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw the vehicle into a skid. Ease your foot o can feel the road again. Front end skids: Release the brake and let the front wheels roll freely to regain traction and steering control. Rear end skids: Take foot off of accelerator and turn wheels in the direction that rear of the vehicle is skidding, ABSOLUTE DONT'S IN RAINY SEASON DRIVING

Dont drive in heavy rain - When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be se over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas. If the roadside is your and wait until the rain slows. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers.

Do not apply brakes suddenly while driving in the rain, instead control the speed with the accelerator, pump the slowly, as sudden braking may result in skidding or overturning of the vehicle.

Do not suddenly swing the vehicle while driving in the rain which can result in the vehicle skidding or rolling o

Avoid driving in the rain during darkness. A simple but important thumb rule is if you cant see the road, the

become especially treacherous. The glare of oncoming lights is amplified by the rain on your windscreen which c which can result in an accident. This also increases driver fatigue. Livestock, pedestrians, bicycles & other two w even harder to avoid. Never drive through moving water until and unless you can see the ground clearly. if you can't see the ground off the road. Avoid off-road driving it's hard to judge the actual depth of puddles and you can easily become stuck.

During thunderstorm avoid contact with metal or conducting surfaces outside and inside the vehicle. Lightning wet ground to your car.

Very Important Tips For Driving & Safety

HAVE A CLEAR HEAD Make sure you always have a clear head before deciding to operate a motor vehicle. Alcohol and certain drugs, both illegal and legal, can severely impair your driving skills. Many prescription and over-thecounter medications can cause dangerous drowsiness. Get a good night's rest and don't drive for long stretches without a break. If you are tired, don't risk the safety of yourself and others on the highway by trying to drive. Just as with alcohol--designate a driver or choose another means of transportation such as taxi cab or public transportation.

LIMIT DRIVING ALONE WHEN TIRED Driving with someone else in your vehicle can increase your overall alertness. It is well recognized that when driving alone, especially when sleep deprived and at night, your chances of a crash are dramatically increased.

READ THE LABELS If you are taking any medications, be sure to read and obey the warning labels. If the label says the medication causes drowsiness or not to drive--heed the warning and don't drive. The warnings are there for a reason. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or to ask about medications for your condition that don't cause drowsiness.

PLAN AHEAD Allow yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination and allow for emergencies or traffic jams. In today's busy world most of us are in a hurry to get where we are going. By allowing extra time we can be more relaxed when operating our vehicles and thereby cut down on the incidences of road rage, such as excessive speeding, tailgating and weaving in and out between cars.

RESEARCH SAFETY FEATURES Safety should always be a top priority when shopping for a vehicle. Research the safety performance of any vehicle you are considering buying including how the vehicle performs in crash tests. Both driver and passenger side air bags are now mandatory in all new cars. Look for side impact bags in many new models as well. When buying a used vehicle, look for one with air bags. Research what type of safety systems are in the car and choose the safest to protect you and your loved ones in the event of a collision.

While in the driver's seat : RELAX Avoid aggressive driving by relaxing and having patience. By not being in such a rush to reach your destination you will be a calmer person and won't need to speed and run red lights. A yellow light means slow down, not speed up. Always stop at red lights.

BE ALERT TO SIGNS OF FATIGUE If you start to feel tired when driving pull over in a safe area and let someone else drive. If you are alone, pull into a safe location such as a well lit rest stop and take a short nap or get out of the car and walk around for a few minutes. Stop as often as necessary. When traveling on long trips, eat light. Large, heavy meals can make you drowsy.

PRACTICE COMMON SENSE SAFETY RULES Always wear your safety belt and make sure all your passengers are buckled properly, even on short trips. If traveling with children, educate yourself on the many kinds of child safety seats and restraints. Choose which system is best for your child and always follow the directions. Make sure children ages 12 and under are always buckled up in the back seat, the safest place to ride.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD Avoid taking your eyes off the road by eliminating any possible distractions ahead of time. Before setting out on a drive, be sure that important items are within easy reach, i.e. directions and maps, sunglasses, etc. Reduce to a minimum possibly dangerous diversions of your attention from the tasks of safe driving such as changing tapes or compact discs and always pull over to a safe place to use your cellular telephone.