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*hierarchies
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*hierarchies
And in reality, the possibility of being surprised by a motorcycle/moped/cyclist right behind you is minimal, as you will have been scanning your mirrors as part of normal riding. But there is always that chance that your last mirror scan missed something or that something has developed since then, no? And in a test scenario, unless the candidate does perform some sort of glance to the left, how will the tester know that the candidate is making any observation to check for those possibilities? For roundabouts with a single approach lane, we'd be positioned to the left of the lane, closing down any "invitation space", so perhaps less of an issue then, no?
There is a problem with moving to the left of the lane for first exit left - you may be closing down the "invitation space" on the left but you are opening it up on the right. This may allow a vehicle to come alongside you and you will now have two vehicles moving off together sharing a single lane space with the car just inches away from the bike. Sadly, as we all know, there are complete dickheads on the road who do not respect a biker's space and will take advantage. We train all of our students to dominate their road position in the centre of the lane for all roundabouts regardless of exit as this is the safest position for them and it prevents this scenario. Obviously we train them to move left or right of their lane for junctions.
Your anecdote about the student who failed for taking too many rear observations and not paying attention to the road ahead is a great example.
Good one Giles, as ever
http://www.adventure.gs/Adventure.GS/Riding_Hints.html
Part/page two covers shoulder checks
As an instructor with Rapid, I probably spend more time undoing shoulder checks and life savers than i do asking them to be done. In fact i'd say not probably but definitely.
I see a terrible culture that in particular is born within the IAM / RoSPA groups of hamming up side roads, parked vehicles, roundabouts etc. I guess it comes from the observer firstly demonstrating 'what hazards he's weighing up' and then that moves into the observee being up front and 'showing the observer' that he's seen the hazard.
So what we then get, is a self perpetuating culture that is look down every feckin' side road, lifesavers before and after every overtake, five coming onto and leaving the roundabout etc.
MORE IS NOT BETTER.
Quality, where and when is where it's at
Giles
I'm an amateur not not a professional like yourself, what you say clearly makes sense, but do you think the problem lies with the 'passing a test mentality' DAS, ROSPA or IAM the standards and examiners seem to vary massively, the lifesaver / shoulder check can and does make a difference to passing 'the test' I have been examined and tested by serving offices from four forces all of them have had different opinions about this. One of the reasons I gave up being and instructor, as you end up teaching your students to pass a test dependent on the likes of what the examiner they would get.
Living in your mirrors is the best advice anyone can get. Without blowing smoke up your arse sir, you seam to be of a brand of real life practical riders not pass a test tick box robots like many of your retired colleagues, but is is them that have created the pass a test culture. IMHO
Excuse me guys, you all know I am thick already, perhaps you can help make me one snippet less thick....what is a DAS please?
NB ....
For the likes of lord snooty and Mellors who DSA instruct (I did it for seven years before joining the fuzz) .... it's a completely different ball game! If I took a DSA test and rode as i do, I'd probably fail for positioning and no life savers ...