Good practical tips. I agree 100% on all three strategies. One other benefit to lane positioning that I watch for, is having the ability to monitor road conditions for debris and potholes. It’s hard to determine that if you’re directly behind a vehicle. Also, left-hand turns with distracted drivers are a recipe for disaster. Eyes need to be 360 and if I am in the front position at a light or stop sign, I usually wait a moment before proceeding through an intersection just in case someone decides to cut me off or run a red light from the opposite directions. It has saved me countless times in the past and no doubt the future. Be safe out there officer!
Officer Cooper, first and foremost, thank you for your service on the force and for protecting the Herndon area. And of course thank you for serving as a motor officer and for sharing your knowledge. This is the first time I came across your channel, but I do hope you may be able to produce others in the future. This was a a helpful video. I wish your department could offer motor training to civilians. Thank you again, be safe and well.
Officer Cooper, I loved this video and did learn some great pointers from you. This was an EXCELLENT video and I want to personally thank you for taking the time and energy to make it. Fantastic
Best thing to do in the opposing left hand turning vehicle situation is to time your traversal through the intersection with another car. The cagers wont pull in front of a car or even better a big truck! Thanks for thinking about us Mr. Cooper.
Good tips, thanks. When stopped at a light or in traffic never position yourself directly behind the vehicle in front of you. You want the vehicle in front of you to see you in his side mirror and also to give yourself an out if if the vehicle behind you doesn't stop. We've all seen videos of bikes getting backed into or run over. The center of the lane at a stop light is also where vehicle fluids will leak and accumulate creating a slip hazard.
Thanks, this is all great advice. One more thing about lane positioning, riding in the tire track is also safer because the tires "clean" the older roads. The center usually is much slicker with old oil etc. particularly in the rain.
Inside position in a corner is counter to all the motorcycle training programs I have seen. Sure you have a little more room to stop, but your cutting your sight lines so you will see the danger much later.
When riding behind a vehicle going through a green light and a car is waiting in the opposite direction ready to turn across traffic I always stay in the right tire lane so I am physically shielded should the turning car make an aggressive left turn. This has saved me a couple of times. Space for evasion and visibility are key. I was pulled over by a motor officer for speeding out of a box of cars and when I told him I just needed space for safety he got it. Motorcycle training is an excellent place to learn new strategies for survival and to un-learn bad habits. People turning in front of you is the biggest risk I've seen and I now have fog lights and high beams on at all times.
Great video. And the more debate there is as to the "best" lane positioning, the more it gets bikers focused on thinking where they would get the most situational awareness - which is the whole point. This comment posted from Toronto, where we have had a record summer of deadly bike deaths. Major factors seem to be (1) big sport bikes, (2) a lot of suburban multi-lane intersections (with good visibility) that can be approached at high speeds, and (3) crashes that happen late at night. What is anyone doing on a high speed motorcycle on urban roads at 2:30AM, with the escalated risk booze involved?
Agree with all these good tips except one: Inside lines on turns. While it's true you have more space to upright the bike, it also makes for a sloppy corner and an early apex. Not efficient, controlled cornering at all. Entering from the outside of the turn--say on a left--gives you a little more sight distance to both see the shape of the corner and any approaching traffic, then the late apex. The inside line keeps you closer to oncoming traffic and invites being clocked by a wide mirror on an RV or truck.
What I have found in my years of riding is cars turning regardless of number of lanes do not see motorcycles when riding in the far right lane position. Yes it opens up your ability to see past that car in the other lane on multiple lane roads but does not make you more visible to them. Your best option is to follow far enough back so you can see if a car is looking to turn left across your path giving you more time to prepare for the what if situation so as to avoid it.
I have a modulating headlight on my '21 Gold Wing. It definitely makes you more visible to left-hand turners and cross traffic. But I've been stopped on several occasions by LEO wondering why I'm flashing my lights. My only comment was "...but you saw me, didn't you?"
This is the first time I have heard about traveling on the inside of a curve rather than the outside of the curve. It definitely makes sense when it comes to giving yourself more space to brake in a straight line without gong off the road or crossing into oncoming traffic. I was told in a safety course in Australia hosted by the police department to position on the outside of a curve to give you better vision through the corner and to give oncoming cars more time to see you. Any more thoughts on both of these reasons. I can see the logic in both.
Raise up and stop in a straight line........hmmmm that's the only option Why not lean more and cut under the obstruction, if you're going anywhere close to the speed limit then there would be no curve you can't turn in tighter......and his example is a 4 lane
I think this is another example of picking the best position for the current situation you are in. With very limited sight it might be best to be on the outside otherwise the inside might very well be the best. I use a combination of the two. I usually enter a curve on the outside but then move towards the apex and exit on the outside. This video is very good, this is the first time I have heard of staying on the inside and the reason why. Makes very good sense.
Just to add some more detail of the instruction I was given. Start the curve on the outside and then move to the centre as you travel through the curve then once straight again move back to the side of the lane closest to the centre of traffic flow just like this video says.
There is really no hard advice where one is to be positioned or what to do all the time. It is about adapting to situation in the moment, based on conditions and based on bike you ride. Wear visible gear, choose proper speed, increase line of sight, choose the cleanest line that offers best traction and try not to depend on actions of others.
Thanks for the video, but the cornering info is not wise if you look at the UK police roadcraft and look at line of sight and vanishing point, take a look at UK police take on it. example enter the turn at a speed that you can react correctly, eg counter steering and understanding other factors to do with time and space, gear choice, entry position, late apexing. thanks for your info on riding.
👆 This. Don’t listen to this clown. He’s not inline with the best police training and it doesn’t even make sense as any rider with experience will tell you. He’s a new rider regurgitating something he’s heard and he’s very wrong.
Something i thought I'd add to road safety (and it's something that I'm sure every good driver would already consider) but unfortunately i didn't, is to not blindly follow the driver through an intersection assuming you have the turning light when the traffic starts to move. Happened to me once where the guy ahead went, and i just blindly followed him. Only to almost get hit head on by the driver in the opposite lane that didn't see me behind the car i was following. Luckily the guy in the opposite lane wasn't being a prick and rushing the driver ahead 😬
Spot on. Being behind mid size box trucks is especially dangerous, at a turn or on the road - your vision is blocked, and they are often driven by poorly skilled truck operators.
2:04 The problem with any intersection, is not motorcycle placement. It's vehicle drivers not looking around, and PAYING ATTENTION, like they should. I'm not saying that you are wrong. I'm saying that no matter where, or how you ride, drivers rarely pay attention to the road like they should. They are blabbing, texting, daydreaming, (or my favorite) don't give a sh*t. Traffic enforcement should be weighing down, hard, on people that prioritize their phones over motorcyclist safety. It aggravates me so much that I would gladly take a part time job as a traffic cop. Just for the sole reason of making the roads safer.
Got to say, I believe this was written by a non-motorcyclist. Forget everything you've learned we got new ideas, kinda like the new physics guys in golf If if if opposing left hand turns get a flashing yellow while straight has green, then the opposing left hand turn lanes should be straight across from each other, eliminating that car blocking the view of........ even if not intersections are wider in comparison to size of your cars The reason you ride right side of left lane is so the cage in right lane is more likely to see you, since most idiots set mirror to look at side of car instead of other lane When possible you set back and wait for car ahead to get far enough ahead of car in right lane then you go by quickly and get to where car in right lane can see you without using mirrors Go out and check curves for your line of sight being able to see objects laying in the road, they don't magically pop up But if one does you can easily cut to the inside, stopping really isn't your only choice Stay with what you learned in motorcycle safety courses........the government actually used riders to design these courses
Sorry I do not Agree about Brake in curve's I do it all the time I been riding for 51 years , Doing 55 going down a 80% grade and having a 30 mph curve your breaking into it and throttle out of it . I ride in the Ozarks and you are lucky to see a sign that will say 20 curve or 30 curve . lot of times you have the
Sorry, but that last (3rd) bit of road positioning is wrong. I know the famous Met Police don’t teach that. On a right turn, you should be in the farthest outside position to increase your view into the turn and you shouldn’t go faster then the diatomaceous you can stop which should equal the distance you can see. Also, if you can’t brake hard in a turn without crashing, frankly you don’t know how to ride. If you trail brake, you’re not even upsetting the balance of the bike. Learn how to ride man.
Ok, enough of the helpful riding. Lets talk about stop lights that dont change because bikes dont activate the sensor! Taking a right is not an option it leads to either every no U turn sign in the county or a huge intersection. I was told by a cop if it cycles through and I miss it, treat it like a stop sign and safely turn...NOPE! Stopped, thats BS.
Good practical tips. I agree 100% on all three strategies. One other benefit to lane positioning that I watch for, is having the ability to monitor road conditions for debris and potholes. It’s hard to determine that if you’re directly behind a vehicle. Also, left-hand turns with distracted drivers are a recipe for disaster. Eyes need to be 360 and if I am in the front position at a light or stop sign, I usually wait a moment before proceeding through an intersection just in case someone decides to cut me off or run a red light from the opposite directions. It has saved me countless times in the past and no doubt the future.
Be safe out there officer!
thanks
probably the best lane positioning video. practical and easy to understand. Thank you
Officer Cooper, first and foremost, thank you for your service on the force and for protecting the Herndon area. And of course thank you for serving as a motor officer and for sharing your knowledge. This is the first time I came across your channel, but I do hope you may be able to produce others in the future. This was a a helpful video. I wish your department could offer motor training to civilians. Thank you again, be safe and well.
Pd6569
Fist and foremost,,,,,
STOP THE A$$ kissing !!!!!!
He only does it for the PENSION….
Self enrichment is paramount not public service .
Officer Cooper, I loved this video and did learn some great pointers from you. This was an EXCELLENT video and I want to personally thank you for taking the time and energy to make it. Fantastic
Best thing to do in the opposing left hand turning vehicle situation is to time your traversal through the intersection with another car. The cagers wont pull in front of a car or even better a big truck! Thanks for thinking about us Mr. Cooper.
Riding a motorcycle is a thinking game. A brain created this presentation. Use it .
Great advice !
Liked your video that’s pretty much how I ride. It’s saved me more than once especially on 3 lane streets with a turn inlet.
Good tips, thanks. When stopped at a light or in traffic never position yourself directly behind the vehicle in front of you. You want the vehicle in front of you to see you in his side mirror and also to give yourself an out if if the vehicle behind you doesn't stop. We've all seen videos of bikes getting backed into or run over. The center of the lane at a stop light is also where vehicle fluids will leak and accumulate creating a slip hazard.
Thank you for this advice! I'll take it and use it. Thanks for your service!
Thanks for your service. Great public service video. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. Stay safe and well.
Thanks, this is all great advice. One more thing about lane positioning, riding in the tire track is also safer because the tires "clean" the older roads. The center usually is much slicker with old oil etc. particularly in the rain.
great tips, thank you!
Herndon motor Officer uniform looks nice and sharp !
Inside position in a corner is counter to all the motorcycle training programs I have seen. Sure you have a little more room to stop, but your cutting your sight lines so you will see the danger much later.
awww I love this! Thanks ☺️
Good vid. Informative
When riding behind a vehicle going through a green light and a car is waiting in the opposite direction ready to turn across traffic I always stay in the right tire lane so I am physically shielded should the turning car make an aggressive left turn. This has saved me a couple of times. Space for evasion and visibility are key. I was pulled over by a motor officer for speeding out of a box of cars and when I told him I just needed space for safety he got it. Motorcycle training is an excellent place to learn new strategies for survival and to un-learn bad habits. People turning in front of you is the biggest risk I've seen and I now have fog lights and high beams on at all times.
Great video. And the more debate there is as to the "best" lane positioning, the more it gets bikers focused on thinking where they would get the most situational awareness - which is the whole point. This comment posted from Toronto, where we have had a record summer of deadly bike deaths. Major factors seem to be (1) big sport bikes, (2) a lot of suburban multi-lane intersections (with good visibility) that can be approached at high speeds, and (3) crashes that happen late at night. What is anyone doing on a high speed motorcycle on urban roads at 2:30AM, with the escalated risk booze involved?
Problem riding inside in a curve is that your big head will be in the incoming lane if your bike is an adventure or even a tall sports bike.
Agree with all these good tips except one: Inside lines on turns. While it's true you have more space to upright the bike, it also makes for a sloppy corner and an early apex. Not efficient, controlled cornering at all. Entering from the outside of the turn--say on a left--gives you a little more sight distance to both see the shape of the corner and any approaching traffic, then the late apex. The inside line keeps you closer to oncoming traffic and invites being clocked by a wide mirror on an RV or truck.
What I have found in my years of riding is cars turning regardless of number of lanes do not see motorcycles when riding in the far right lane position.
Yes it opens up your ability to see past that car in the other lane on multiple lane roads but does not make you more visible to them.
Your best option is to follow far enough back so you can see if a car is looking to turn left across your path giving you more time to prepare for the what if situation so as to avoid it.
I have a modulating headlight on my '21 Gold Wing. It definitely makes you more visible to left-hand turners and cross traffic. But I've been stopped on several occasions by LEO wondering why I'm flashing my lights. My only comment was "...but you saw me, didn't you?"
Thank you
Good tips.
This is the first time I have heard about traveling on the inside of a curve rather than the outside of the curve. It definitely makes sense when it comes to giving yourself more space to brake in a straight line without gong off the road or crossing into oncoming traffic. I was told in a safety course in Australia hosted by the police department to position on the outside of a curve to give you better vision through the corner and to give oncoming cars more time to see you. Any more thoughts on both of these reasons. I can see the logic in both.
I follow the UK police riding methods, which are the same as you were taught in Oz. It's kept me in clear sight of hazards for the past 40+ years.
Raise up and stop in a straight line........hmmmm that's the only option
Why not lean more and cut under the obstruction, if you're going anywhere close to the speed limit then there would be no curve you can't turn in tighter......and his example is a 4 lane
I think this is another example of picking the best position for the current situation you are in. With very limited sight it might be best to be on the outside otherwise the inside might very well be the best. I use a combination of the two. I usually enter a curve on the outside but then move towards the apex and exit on the outside. This video is very good, this is the first time I have heard of staying on the inside and the reason why. Makes very good sense.
Just to add some more detail of the instruction I was given. Start the curve on the outside and then move to the centre as you travel through the curve then once straight again move back to the side of the lane closest to the centre of traffic flow just like this video says.
@@AustinArtoUK police are correct. This guy must be a new rider.
There is really no hard advice where one is to be positioned or what to do all the time. It is about adapting to situation in the moment, based on conditions and based on bike you ride. Wear visible gear, choose proper speed, increase line of sight, choose the cleanest line that offers best traction and try not to depend on actions of others.
Thanks for the video, but the cornering info is not wise if you look at the UK police roadcraft and look at line of sight and vanishing point, take a look at UK police take on it. example enter the turn at a speed that you can react correctly, eg counter steering and understanding other factors to do with time and space, gear choice, entry position, late apexing. thanks for your info on riding.
👆 This. Don’t listen to this clown. He’s not inline with the best police training and it doesn’t even make sense as any rider with experience will tell you. He’s a new rider regurgitating something he’s heard and he’s very wrong.
Something i thought I'd add to road safety (and it's something that I'm sure every good driver would already consider) but unfortunately i didn't, is to not blindly follow the driver through an intersection assuming you have the turning light when the traffic starts to move. Happened to me once where the guy ahead went, and i just blindly followed him. Only to almost get hit head on by the driver in the opposite lane that didn't see me behind the car i was following. Luckily the guy in the opposite lane wasn't being a prick and rushing the driver ahead 😬
Spot on. Being behind mid size box trucks is especially dangerous, at a turn or on the road - your vision is blocked, and they are often driven by poorly skilled truck operators.
Doh! I thought it read ‘Hendon’, not ‘Herndon’ (wherever tf that is)🤨
2:04 The problem with any intersection, is not motorcycle placement. It's vehicle drivers not looking around, and PAYING ATTENTION, like they should. I'm not saying that you are wrong. I'm saying that no matter where, or how you ride, drivers rarely pay attention to the road like they should. They are blabbing, texting, daydreaming, (or my favorite) don't give a sh*t. Traffic enforcement should be weighing down, hard, on people that prioritize their phones over motorcyclist safety. It aggravates me so much that I would gladly take a part time job as a traffic cop. Just for the sole reason of making the roads safer.
Got to say, I believe this was written by a non-motorcyclist.
Forget everything you've learned we got new ideas, kinda like the new physics guys in golf
If if if opposing left hand turns get a flashing yellow while straight has green, then the opposing left hand turn lanes should be straight across from each other, eliminating that car blocking the view of........ even if not intersections are wider in comparison to size of your cars
The reason you ride right side of left lane is so the cage in right lane is more likely to see you, since most idiots set mirror to look at side of car instead of other lane
When possible you set back and wait for car ahead to get far enough ahead of car in right lane then you go by quickly and get to where car in right lane can see you without using mirrors
Go out and check curves for your line of sight being able to see objects laying in the road, they don't magically pop up
But if one does you can easily cut to the inside, stopping really isn't your only choice
Stay with what you learned in motorcycle safety courses........the government actually used riders to design these courses
Sorry I do not Agree about Brake in curve's I do it all the time I been riding for 51 years , Doing 55 going down a 80% grade and having a 30 mph curve your breaking into it and throttle out of it . I ride in the Ozarks and you are lucky to see a sign that will say 20 curve or 30 curve . lot of times you have the
Why not just do a massive jump over the obsticle? Maybe wave to your adoring fans mid whip.
Sorry, but that last (3rd) bit of road positioning is wrong. I know the famous Met Police don’t teach that. On a right turn, you should be in the farthest outside position to increase your view into the turn and you shouldn’t go faster then the diatomaceous you can stop which should equal the distance you can see. Also, if you can’t brake hard in a turn without crashing, frankly you don’t know how to ride. If you trail brake, you’re not even upsetting the balance of the bike. Learn how to ride man.
Good information to know. It is surprising how poor riding skills motorcyclists (and auto drivers too) have.
It’s all so blatant;y obvious, yet I never see anyone using any proper road positioning.
Ok, enough of the helpful riding. Lets talk about stop lights that dont change because bikes dont activate the sensor! Taking a right is not an option it leads to either every no U turn sign in the county or a huge intersection. I was told by a cop if it cycles through and I miss it, treat it like a stop sign and safely turn...NOPE! Stopped, thats BS.
Gotta check your laws. In PA you can go if you sit at a red light for too long (care or bike). How long that is, well that's another story 😏