Motorcycle Training Forum

[Stu1963]

I expect many test centres have routes that go through housing estates with traffic calming measures.

When riding on estate roads with the type of sleeping policemen that don't go across the full width of road (the sort that cars can drive over with wheels straddling the hump - so there is a gap about 0.5m wide at the kerb and another gap in the middle of the road about 0.5m either side of the centre line) I have been told to ride in the centre of the road and not the gutter.

I don't have a problem with this until I encounter a car coming towards me - what course should I take? In to the centre of my lane and slowly over the next hump or in to the gutter and around the hump? I think the latter would mean weaving around too much.

Any other general advice about traffic calmed areas with parked cars everywhere and not much room to get through would be good.

Thanks,
Stu

[rjh_786Bn]

Hi Stu, keep it simple :

With the sleeping policeman that don't go right across, they are like cubes...........
Plan ahead and if possible on approach go to the right, more command and better visibility for you up the road!
If a car is coming towards you then the better option will be to the left of the cube allowing you to continue progress, the important thing to ensure is you are checking mirrors before changing position. If this is not possible because of parked vehicles, then consider going over them, but get your speed down unless you want to go airbourne

The message with parked vehicles etc..... allow a car door width opening, or consider holding back and giving way! Narrower the gap, slower the speed, and always be able to stop in your range of vision..............

Hope this helps, get in touch if needed. Have you a test booked? Where abouts?

[Stu1963]

Thanks for the advice - it makes sense.

I have a test booked in October at Blyth, a small town north of Newcastle.

I've been riding round some of the test routes to get a feel for the sort of things I'll come across during the test - all the odd junctions and so on....

Anyway, plenty of time to get out and practice - at least it's dried up a bit for now.

Cheers,
Stu