The Safest Place to Ride...

by John
(Connecticut)

Scooter Merging into Traffic

Scooter Merging into Traffic

Great website. I'd like to share with you an experience that I had taking the written exam for a "motorcycle" license in CT many moons ago. It was a typical 50 question multiple answer test. There was no "E" that said "All of the above" or "None of the above", only "A" through "D".


I only missed one question. I answered that you should ride in the center of the lane that you're in....BUZZ....wrong answer. When we reviewed the results, the DMV examiner told me that it was to the LEFT of the center of the lane that scooterists should ride, for two reasons:

  1. The driver in front of you can see you better in his/her side view mirror when you are in the left side of the lane behind him/her.

  2. An oft used road contains more oil spillage in the center of the lane from other motor vehicles.


Lesson taught, lesson learned.

Happy riding,
John

Photo credit: CameliaTWU/Flickr



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May 06, 2011
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ti is true...
by: Anonymous

Left is best...

Read here..: http://www.vegvesen.no/_attachment/58647/binary/2665

its true...

Apr 21, 2010
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I'm With John
by: Kathi

Yoly, You might not feel comfortable being so close to oncoming traffic, but riding in the center of the lane is definitely NOT the place to ride on a 2-wheeler.

In my Idaho Motorcycle Manual, they made a big deal about that too, just as John experienced in CT... for the same reasons. I like Bob's suggestion of being able to see the 2 mirrors too.

It's all about visibility and if they can't see you, you're not safe, no matter how well you can see them!

You don't need to ride all the way on the line, just between it and the center of the lane.

Stay safe...

Apr 20, 2010
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What Side to Ride?
by: Happy Old Scoot

I tend to ride to the left, but when I see overtaking traffic in the RVM, I slide over to the right until it gets by. If there is a string, I stay to the left but one second behind the staggered vehicle in the adjoining left lane. That way vehicles following the one in the adjoining lane is behind and not beside me. I try never to ride in the center, because it can be treacherous even in dry weather. Another tip I picked up on the Buddy Forum is to ride so that you can see two mirrors in the vehicle in front of and in adjoining lanes. That protects my "space bubble."

Riding on the right side of the lane can get dicey if there are side streets. Drivers may have their vision obstructed by foliage, walls, and even traffic controls.

Apr 20, 2010
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LEFT OR CENTER?
by: Yoly

Is that so???? I will have to check. I'd rather ride on the center when dry... cause... If I drive to the left I would be too close to oncoming traffic and any deviation or distraction would send the car into moi!

I think the answer (left side) is correct for rainy days. Check it out again in the study material, cause I am not so sure.

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