Good riders are careful to maintain the proper blocking position when they turn.
Position 5
Making a proper right turn (when lane opens up at intersection)
It’s more complicated when approaching an intersection where the lane opens up. Because the stop line is further out, you must move over from your normal blocking position in the curb lane to prevent a car from coming up on the inside on the wider part of the road. Make a shoulder check; move over to the right about 1.2 m from the edge of the roadway; make your right turn and then make another shoulder check and move back to the proper blocking position – to the left of the centre of the lane.
Position 5A
Making a proper right turn (no change in lane size at intersection)
When approaching an intersection where the right lane remains the same size, position your motorcycle right of centre in the curb lane, make your right turn into the first available driving lane, then shoulder check and move back to the proper blocking position to the left of the centre of the lane.
Making a proper left turn
Steps to making a properly blocked left turn:
- Ride in the correct blocking position for the street you are travelling on. As you approach the intersection, make the necessary lane changes so that you’re in the left blocking position of the left lane.
- In the left lane make your turn while maintaining the left blocking position throughout the turn.
- After completing the turn, move to the correct blocking position of the street you turned onto.
Position 6
Proper position for multi-lane streets
To ensure you are most visible to oncoming traffic when preparing to make a left turn, shoulder check to the left to ensure your lane is clear and move slightly to the left, close to the centre line, before making the turn. Maintain this position throughout the turn. Once the left turn is complete, shoulder check to the right to make sure your lane is clear and move slightly to the right of the centre of the lane to resume proper blocking position.
Position 6A
Proper position for single-lane streets
When making a left turn to and from a single-lane street, the proper position is to start and end your turn slightly to the left of the centre of the lane. Maintain this position throughout and as you complete the turn.
The best protection a rider can have is distance – distance between the rider and other people’s mistakes. Keeping plenty of space around you gives you two things:
- time to react to trouble
- some place to go
