Close your eyes and picture the last time you were in heavy traffic on a motorcycle. How many times were you merged onto, cut-off, or damn near rear-ended because traffic came to a complete stop? For most, these things happen more often then what we are comfortable with. In past years there have been dozens upon dozens of motorcycle deaths in the DFW area; the victims of these wrecks range from 18 yr-old inexperience teens to vetern motorcycle cops. Some say that wanting to ride a motorcycle after hearing all the dangers of them is crazy, stupid, or just plain suicidal; but to the ones that do it every day it just seems normal.

Riding on a busy freeway can be a nightmare, especially for the newbies that haven’t experienced it before. It is amazing how many different task we have to deal with on an everyday basis. Doing it successfully means processing a multitude of items at once and reacting correctly to each. Doing it wrong can mean roadkill--the human kind. I have compiled a list of a few smart strategies for dealing with the jam-packed roadways of DFW.

Tip #1 Watch The Drivers Cuz They’re Not Watching For You.

When riding alone you need to learn to trust only one person, yourself. No one else on the road even knows you exist. The best way to think, is to assume that you are either invincible or that everyone is out to get you. Get into the habit of always looking around you; watch the drivers, their heads and movement. Most drivers won't lunge left or right without first moving their heads one way or another (even if they don't check their mirrors). This is a good indication of what they are about to do next. Also, be paranoid, when you see a dented, dirty or neglected car, be especially paranoid. Dents are a rolling history of mistakes, and you don't want to be involved. Dirt and neglect show disinterest, and that disinterest probably bleeds into their driving as well.

Tip #2 Always Check Your Blind Spots And Avoid Others

Yes bikes have blind spots and a lot can disappear in those spots. Make it a habit to always follow your mirror checks with a quick glance over the appropriate shoulder. Do it quickly and you'll add an extra measure of rear-view and blind-spot knowledge to your info-gathering tasks. The blind spots in cars and trucks are much bigger than that of a bike’s. The general rule with the blind spots of cars and trucks is simple, STAY OUT OF THEM. The Highway Patrol teaches its riders to constantly move through traffic, to ride slightly (slightly!) faster than traffic and move through blind spots rather than sitting in them. Very good advice if you ask me.

Tip #3 Be Both Aggressive and Defensive

Combining defensive tactics and aggressive riding will create a riding portfolio that will weather any storm. The secret is knowing when to use each of the tactics. After all, blasting aggressively down Main Street is an open invitation for trouble but, creeping slowly down Interstate 35 invites different but still deadly trouble, putting you at the mercy of other drivers' skills-or lack thereof.
Defensive riding means being aware of your space and maintaining that space by positioning yourself in surrounding traffic. Riding defensively is a way of looking at traffic to predict its effect on you, and making sure that effect is minimal. A good addition to defensive riding is never put yourself between a car and an off-ramp. I know this sounds too simple but drivers that decide last minute to exit take out plenty of riders each year.
Riding aggressively is much less of a riding style than an applied technique to be exercised only occasionally. As motorcyclists, we must put ourselves in view, and sometimes that means a bit of aggressive throttle use to come up even with a driver's window. Simply put, sometimes slowing down is extremely dangerous and some aggressive acceleration or lane changing is called for.

Tip #4 Cover Your Brakes But Always Be Ready With Power

In heavy traffic you must often react extra quickly, which means not fumbling for the brake lever or pedal. To minimize reach time, always keep a finger or two on the brake lever and your right toe close to the rear brake pedal. When that cell phone-yakking asshat cuts across your path trying to get to Starbucks for his grande café mocha latte, you'll be ready. In traffic, ride in a gear lower than you normally would so your bike is ready to jump forward instantly if asked. (and no this is not so you can instantly pop a wheelie to impress the car-pool of sexy ladies in the lane next to you) Staying in a lower gear gives you the option of leaping ahead instead of being limited to just using the brakes when that pickup suddenly moves over. The higher revs might also alert more cagers to your presence.

Tip #5 Always Have An Escape Route

When traffic slows suddenly we often find ourselves checking our mirrors to see if the guy behind us is about to ram his front end up our asses. Staying to the left orright of the lane will provide you with an escape route just in case the traffic behind you doesn’t see the stop in time. When coming to a stop in traffic always keep it in first and be ready to slip out the clutch. The same goes for when you come to a stop sign or light at an intersection. It’s not uncommon for a driver to notice that traffic has stopped but he only sees the car up ahead and doesn’t notice the bike that is between him and the car until it is too late. Always have an escape route because it is us that has to deal with driver’s mistakes; the goal is to predict their mistakes and make it so we’re not affected by them.

Last but not least, the best advice I can give any rider is PRACTICE. There is no better weapon in a rider’s arsenal then seat time. I know for a fact that myself, and the other riders of Adrenaline’s Edge are always up for a ride, even if it is just for the sole purpose helping another rider get in some seat time. If you are uncomfortable riding alone then give one of us a call, rarely will you ever hear someone say no.