SOME LIKE IT HOT ! - VSOC C13 The RoadRunners

The 12 Rules of Defensive Riding (courtesy of Peg Leg)
Whilst casually surfing the net the other day I came across an article written by a guy called Peg Leg. He
earned this nickname by surviving a bad motorcycle accident but ending up with...yup you guessed it...a
peg leg. After explaining what led up to the accident, how it happened and the aftermath he then went on to
give what are, in his opinion, the 12 Rules of Defensive Riding.
These 'rules' are based on his theory that car drivers become programmed to see and recognise hazards and
situations that are a danger to them. Therefore, a driver will be subconsciously be more aware of the danger
a lorry than a car of a similar size to himself, even if the car is closer or faster. The driver will 'see' both
vehicles but subconsciously will be more aware of the greater danger. A motorbike gives no real personal
danger to a driver so the bike may have been 'seen' but also may have been subconsciously not recognised
as a danger. This may explain why a car driver who looks straight at a motorbike (or push-bike!), then pulls
out in front of them says to the poor biker who is busy kissing the tarmac, 'Sorry mate!, I didn't see you'.
Well, that's how I interpreted things, and it made a sort of sense to me, so now for Peg Leg’s Rules,
1. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
2. Make sure you can be seen
3. Position yourself where you have room to escape if someone fails to recognise you.
4. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
5. Don't follow too close, not even when closing for a passing manoeuvre.
6. Don't assume the car in front/beside you is going to do what is obvious.
7. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
8. Run your high beams during daylight.
9. Use hand signals along with signal lights.
10. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
11. Make eye contact with drivers.
12. Never assume you are being seen and recognised.
I have cast my eye over these rules a few times now and even though they are only the musings of an old
one legged biker I have taken two important things from them, a) I am a car driver so need to make sure I
actually see bikes of all types, b) true defensive riding are rules 1. 4. 7. 10. & 12.
Gary Simmons
SuzukiX7
Has to go to fund another LC 250 to race/sprint
in the 250 road legal class. Perfect for a pose at
The Ace Cafe or High Beach. Will fly through
MOT. I want around Å500.
Interested? Contact:
tonyrams@btinternet.com