LESSON LEARNED
Risky Attitudes
Both Alan and Oliver commute to work through a mix of neighborhood streets and busy arterials. Where they differ is in their attitude toward risk. Alan rides with “eyes in the back of his head,” scanning for any signs of intruders or road surface hazards. He knows that the best way to avoid a crash is to spot hazards early, which allows abundant time and space for him to respond if a driver were to cross his path.
Oliver is less concerned. He assumes that other drivers are going to see him and follow the rules of the road—and, in most cases, they do. When something unexpected does occur, Oliver deals with the problem with quick reactions and his ability to skillfully maneuver his motorcycle. This casual attitude works most of the time, but it has its cost; Oliver experiences more close calls, which wear on his riding enjoyment.
One day, both riders encounter a similar situation on the way to work where an oncoming driver turns left across their lane. Because Alan has trained himself to spot subtle clues that alert him of danger, he recognizes that the car is about to turn. The clues Alan notices are the driver turning his head and moving his arm to rotate the steering wheel. Because Alan recognized the problem early and then covered the brakes, he avoids a collision with many feet (m) to spare.
Oliver experiences the same scenario, but, unlike Alan, he isn’t looking for clues. The first sign Oliver notices that the driver is turning is the car’s front bumper entering his lane. Oliver has little time to react, and, because he is not covering his brakes in preparation for such an encounter, his stopping distance is increased. Fortunately, Oliver’s excellent braking skill allows him to miss the car by mere inches (cm).
Because of their different approaches to risk management, Alan and Oliver’s perception of the commute differs greatly. When both riders finally get to work, they are each greeted by a coworker who asks, “How was the ride this morning?” Alan doesn’t even think to mention the invading car and answers, “Fantastic.” Oliver’s response was quite different: “It would have been great except for the idiot who almost killed me.” Oliver continues bending his coworker’s ear about the close call and how drivers really have to pay better attention.
What’s the Lesson?
Even though both riders experienced the same situation, Alan’s attitude toward risk management rendered the potentially deadly situation rather mundane, whereas Oliver’s lackadaisical attitude and lack of mental preparation led to a near accident. In addition, Alan’s attitude toward risk allows him to ride with less anxiety. Oliver, on the other hand, becomes more and more anxious with each close call he experiences.
LESSON LEARNED
Live & Learn
Lisa and Bill are on their way home after a relaxing ride aboard their middleweight cruisers. Lisa is following a few seconds behind Bill as they negotiate their way through an industrial section of town. There are several side streets and parking lot entrances on the right-hand side of the mostly straight road. Lisa notices a white van on the right waiting to enter the roadway. The van driver appears to see Bill because he passes without incident, but apparently doesn’t see the second bike. Suddenly, the van darts out in front of Lisa. She instinctively swerves right, to pass behind the van. The bike misses the van’s rear bumper by inches (cm), but Lisa can’t stop quickly enough to avoid slamming into the curb. The van driver slows after finally seeing Lisa. But with a shrug he simply drives away.
Lisa is unhurt, but her front wheel is bent. Bill arrives moments later to ask if Lisa’s okay. Lisa’s reply is barely understandable through the shock and growing anger. Lisa begins to feel rage over the carelessness of the van driver.
The incident occupies much of Lisa’s thoughts over the next few days. She tells any one who will listen of the idiot driver who almost killed her. Over time, her anger subsides, but other feelings emerge. Lisa realizes that she dreads getting back on her bike for fear of another close call—or worse. She even entertains giving up riding altogether. But motorcycling is an important part of her life. Lisa realizes that she must take the brunt of the responsibility for her safety even though responsibility is shared among all roadway users because the consequences of a crash are higher for motorcyclists. It is for this reason that Lisa finally evaluates her responsibility in the incident.
What’s the Lesson?
Focusing on blame can distract you from what you need to deal with in the moment so that you aren’t prepared for the next hazard. Also, harboring anger sidetracks an opportunity to prevent a future crash if it blocks you from taking responsibility for mishaps and learning from them.
Chapter 2
Risky Business: Accepting and Understanding Risk
We’d all like to believe that motorcycling is less risky than it is, but the fact is that riding is dangerous. Fortunately, you can develop a positive relationship with risk by recognizing your attitudes toward risk and then implementing measures to make riding safer and more fun.
Accepting Risk
I’m pretty sure you don’t ride to be “safe.” You ride because of the feeling you get from being on a motorcycle: the freedom, adventure, challenge, camaraderie…and FUN. If your primary goal is to be safe, you would find other things to do, like billiards, golf, or hiking.
There is an old saying that there are two types of riders—those who have crashed and those who have yet to crash. Unfortunately, there is some truth to this. I don’t know any rider who hasn’t experienced a simple tip-over in a parking lot during some point in his or her riding career. I also know several riders who have suffered significant crashes, and, tragically, some resulted in death.
Each rider’s perception of risk contributes to the way he or she rides and decisions he or she makes. Some people perceive the risk as high, or are generally risk-adverse, and therefore ride cautiously to limit risk exposure. They might avoid riding at night or in heavy traffic, and they work hard to keep their accident-avoidance skills up-to-date. As a result, they encounter fewer close calls and are usually more relaxed than a rider who is less prepared.
Riders who are in denial about the risks often end up in dangerous—or deadly— situations.
Risk Tolerance
There are many riders who are perfectly aware of the risks but still choose to operate their motorcycle in very risky ways, willing to accept more risk in exchange for opportunities to challenge their skills. These riders are more likely to contain their activity to remote roadways or closed courses where they can manage the risk.
Some riders are in denial about the risks and do stupid things that risk not only their own life, but also the lives of others. The most extreme examples of risk denial are those who underestimate the effects of riding under the influence of alcohol or deny the consequences of racing or stunting in traffic. This unrealistic optimism eventually leads to smashed bodywork and broken bones.
Most of us are somewhere in between the range of very cautious and reckless. We tolerate a level of risk that allows us to enjoy the challenge of riding, but self-preservation doesn’t allow us to expose ourselves to excessive or unnecessary danger. Self-preservation is what encourages us to wear protective gear, ride slowly through intersections, and improve our riding skills.
Denial
Even