h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hey absolutely! nice list, bit of tidying up to do re formatting/spelling/punctuation etc., and I see you have lots of comments to work with already...

Couple of quick things I can see that might be a bit dodgy is the advice re high-beam (brights?) on during the day - no, no, no! (Illegal, blinds other riders/drivers, doesn't achieve anything)

This point confused the hell out of me: 14 .Check 12 seconds ahead. Keep your following distance One second’s worth of distance per 16 kph is the old rule of thumb. Better still, scan the next 12 seconds ahead for potential trouble.

One second’s worth of distance per 16 kph [16???] is the old rule of thumb? We used to say "keep a 2-second gap, 4 seconds in wet weather" - of course the gap distance increases as speed does. Doesn't seem realistic to expect a gap of about 6 seconds at 100klm/h. A 2-3 second gap is a fair distance at that speed, 6 seconds is a huge distance and is likely to result in other unsafe events - cars pulling in between you and the vehicle in front, cars sitting up your behind and trying to pressure you into closing the gap, etc.

Check 12 seconds ahead? huh? why not ten, or 15? Why not just say something like keep your eyes up and look as far ahead as you can, not at the car just in front of you...doesn't mean stare up the road, have to keep scanning - important thing is not to look down at the road in front of you or fixate on the car in front. Ah, I see that is covered in point 23.

Can I suggest, I think it was suggested already - that maybe 50 is too many, and that many of the points seem to be duplicates, or at least overlapping. It might be worth going through the list and categorising and putting it in some sort of group order (you could have category headings like "lights, gear, brakes, etc"...could probably make the list considerably smaller, less repetitive, and much easier to read/remember/comprehend.

All in all, looks like a good effort, thanks for contributing more motorcycling stuff to the guide. Well done! And remember that I reckon you can feel free to ignore all of the above suggestions - it is your entry, after all.

And hello there Ictoan - going to have to disagree on the "low-side it if you are going to hit thing" - there's been some stuff written about that lately and suggestion is that this is not actually a great idea...but I'm certainly no expert, situations are always different etc. etc.

HAd a play with categorising - might help if you do wish to reduce the list size or make it easier to consume....So, e.g.:

INSIDE THE HELMET: ATTITUDE
5. Stay icy cool to stay alive
Show-offs become organ donors. Don't.

6. Stay focused
Staring at a butt could land yours on the road. Save it till later.

8. Take time to make sure
Always take the time to be absolutely sure before pulling out, over or accelerating

22. Anticipate
Zipping by a kerb crawler could put you into his door when he opens it.

24. Get your mind right in the driveway
The first quarter hour's most crucial. Get your bike brain on as you go down the drive.

29. Don't get into bad habits
If every road intersection for miles is a four way stop, the one that isn't is the one that'll get you if assume it's the same as the rest.

50. Take a deep breath
When aggro rises. Count to ten. Visualise a naked man/woman. Forgetting some clown's dumb or arrogant move beats running the risk of ruining your life, or ending it.

45. None for the road
Do you think Valentino has a couple of drinks before a ride? And you're in a much more hazardous environment than he is. Stay absolutely sharp to spot the blind aunties, the reps with cell-phones and the dumb fools trying to kill you.


INSIDE THE HELMET: VISION [just vision? Hearing is important too - awareness of squealing brakes behind me saved my life once]
20. Look where you want to go
Target fixation is real. Looking at a hazard will put you into it. Look at they way out.

21. Always be scanning and planning
Keep the eyes working all the time and don't get hung up on one thing . If you want to enjoy the view, stop.


23. Raise your gaze
What's immediately in front is too late to do much about look ahead to where you can still do something positive.

7. Mirrors are limited
Check your blind spots before moving over.
[turn your head!!!]


44. Tune your peripheral vision
Pick a point near the centre of a wall . Practise scanning using your peripheral vision. The more you can see without turning your head, the sooner you can react to trouble.

31. Give your eyes some time to adjust
The older you are the slower they are to adjust. Take it easy when going into dark to let them adjust. Ride by what you can see, not habit.


OTHER ROAD USERS
1. Assume the fourwheelers don't see you
Because often they don't. They're just not looking for a vehicle as small as you are going as fast as you are. Use your headlights on bright out of town and drive defensively.

2. Don't aggravate the ignorant
Stay calm, remember that most of them have no skill, have no idea of what they've just done - they just sit there and point - and that you're at most risk. Make like a penguin and smile and wave.

4. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
Assume that car across the intersection will turn across your bow when the light goes green, with or without a turn signal.

11. Cross turners are killers
Assume the guy on the other side of the intersection might turn across you without indication or being aware of your presence, because now and then they will.

12. Watch out for light shooters
Even if the light's in your favour check the side streets. Eventually in your career someone will shoot across. Make sure you survive the experience.

15. Beware of hot cars
They're quick and their drivers tend to be aggressive. Don't assume that just because you've thrashed them away from the lights they've given up - watch out for them screaming up at you when you've stopped accelerating.

17. Watch the dumb animals as well
Birds, foxes and other dumb animals cross roads with gay abandon –especially in spring when they have just one thing on your mind. Believe the warning signs and watch out for animals – a bird hits you like a brick at speed.


THE BIKE

27. Get the right bike for you
Don't get a superbike unless you're a super rider and you need it for the kind of riding you do. Get a bike that suits your style, skill, weight and height.


GEAR

3. Dress for the fall, not the ball
Even a 5 minute trip can be deadly. Modern mesh gear means heat is no good reason for a t-shirt and shorts. Make sure your gear has armour at vital points and joints. Wear mesh gloves. Rather sweat than bleed.

37. Wear adequate protection
A full-face helmet, unless you hate your chin. Back protector, have all joints protected with EU approved pads, denim doesn't do it, track leather or Kevlar. Boots with an inner boot or outer skeleton. Your enemies are impact, abrasion and overextension. Look at your stuff. Can you smite yourself with a 2x4 and smile? If not, what you got ain't that hot. An inflatable jacket from Hit-air works really well, The original writer tested one at 140 kph and watched the other two guys leave for hospital.

38. Wear the right gear
Having sorted out the protection, make sure the gear fits and suits the conditions. If you're distracted by your equipment you're not safe.


RIDING

9. Pass with class
You're always at risk when you pass. Take it easy, watch your closing speed. Arriving out of nowhere behind or next to other drivers or riders is a recipe for a collision one day.

10. The sides of roads hold crap
Stay alert for stuff on the sides of roads. In time you'll see amazing things there. Make sure you see them in time to avoid them.

13. Use your mirrors
Do it every time you change lanes, slow down or stop. Stay in gear and check behind yourself at lights. Be ready to move if someone tries to share your space.

14 .Check 12 seconds ahead. Keep your following distance
One second's worth of distance per 16 kph is the old rule of thumb. Better still, scan the next 12 seconds ahead for potential trouble.

16. Watch your entry speed on curves
Going in too hot means you run out of road and either wind up in oncoming traffic or in whatever's on the side of the road, be it barb wire, bush or a cliff. Slow in, fast out - at a suitable speed. . Even Rossi gets it wrong sometimes – be careful.

18 Practise using both brakes
The front does most of your stopping but trailing the rear helps stability.

19. Keep the front brake covered
Save a single second of reaction time at 90 mph and you can stop 25 metres shorter. Think about that.

25. Come to a full stop at that next stop sign
Put a foot down. Look again. Anything less forces a snap decision with no time to spot potential trouble.

32. Practise U-turns
Weight the opposite peg and tilt the bike, do this without thinking and you can concentrate on your surroundings.

33. Practise hill starts
Traffic's not the place to master this art. Practice in private and safety

34. If it looks slippery, assume it is
Diesel, oil, even sewerage gets dropped on the road frequently. If it looks suspicious treat it with great respect.

35. Punctures at speed
Don't Panic! Apply clutch, brake gently with good wheel. Ease gently to side of road. No sudden moves. You can survive these.

36. Raindrops falling on your visor?
It's raining, it's slippery, ease up. And increase distances.

26. Never dive into a gap in stalled traffic
Cars may have stopped for a reason, and you may not be able to see why until it's too late to do anything about it.

28. Watch for car doors opening in traffic
They'll open them, make sure you see them first.

30. Stay safe in a group
Don't outride your talent. Make sure you know the route and where the group's going to stop. If they're quicker than you, get there later but get there.

39. No phone no music, minimum intercom
Concentrate on the road, your bike and the ride

40. Learn to swerve
Be able to do two tight turns in quick succession. Practice in a safe place. Remember target fixation, look where you want to go, not at the obstacle. Remember; "Clutch, Brake, release, swerve, swerve." Now practice till it's a reflex. Riders go under cars because they jam on anchors and swerve. Practise "Clutch, brake, release, swerve, swerve.

41. Be smooth at low speeds
Learn to use your rear brake to smooth out low speed manoeuvres

42. Flashing is good for you
Gently pulling on the lever or tapping the pedal to flash the brake lights before applying will help the drivers behind you see them.

43. Intersections are scary, so cower
Put another vehicle between your bike and the possibility of someone running the stop sign/red light on your right. If you're turning right take extra care you're not being hidden bu a vehicle on your left.

47 Leave large lorries well alone.
Their tyres shed tread with some regularity, 'nough said.

48. Take the panic out of panic stops
Develop an intimate relationship with your brakes. Seek out some safe, open pavement. Starting slowly, find that fine line between maximum braking and a locked wheel, and then do it again, and again. Don't ride faster than you have practised stopping. Now there's something to think about.

49. Make sure your tyres are right
Don't take 'em for granted. Make sure pressure is spot-on every time you ride. Check for cuts, nails and other junk they might have picked up, as well as general wear.

46. Every-thing is harder to see after dark
Carry a clear visor and be super careful after dark, especially during, peak hours, when the pubs shut, or in the early hours.
Practise night riding in a safe environment before tackling traffic. Better still try not to ride at night if possible.

"And hello there Ictoan - going to have to disagree on the "low-side it if you are going to hit thing" - there's been some stuff written about that lately and suggestion is that this is not actually a great idea...but I'm certainly no expert, situations are always different etc. etc."

Hiya - well yes, situations and everything. But if it is a case of hitting it whilst still on the bike and flying off into the windscreen/side of the vehicle/ripper nads off on the clocks/whatever then low siding is a good idea. It is very much a last resort though.

There was a fella for a while who was recommending training riders in such a close impact situation to stand on the pegs and then jump forward at the last minute and thus avoid the obstacle entirely. Nice idea if you are a trained gymnast but I suspect most bikers are not that agile and streamlined!

I'll say a couple of things about headlights:
1; All new bikes don't have a switch so the dipped headlights come on with the ignition.
2; In the UK a law was passed a few years ago that compels the rider to use headlights at all times whilst riding a motorbike (powered two wheeler).

Also there was also a mention of mirror blindspots but no mention of 'life savers'. Personally I'd rather do a lifesaver and check my mirror before changing lanes than just check my mirrors.

"2; In the UK a law was passed a few years ago that compels the rider to use headlights at all times whilst riding a motorbike (powered two wheeler)."

No it wasn't!
There's been talk about it but a heck of a lot of resistance (mainly on the lines of compulsion being a bad thing) but there is no law saying you have to in the UK.

EU legislation apparently says all vehicles must come with daytime lamps fitted and the UK Govt. is not opposing it (says it can't, but it always can when it wants to) but that is a manufacturing thing not a road legality thing - i.e. older vehicles won;t have to conform. This conformity however is not until 2012.

Indeed the UK govt. has fought against the introduction because of the lack of evidence for improved safety and because of the increased fuel consumption it causes, mainly because the headlamp is not designed for being seen but to see by.

Scouts about? This entry is worth adding to the edited guide, maybe a bit of tidying up, maybe an intro in the "tone" of the guide, but with help from an editor would be good to see as an edited entry.

anyone?

Frankly, I'm not sure we should be picking this - it does need some work, and at the moment, a lot of things are being rushed through without sub-editing

Are we agreed on this going back to entry then?

Yes, back to entry

Email sent

Maybe it's better to make a list than send the e-mails one at a time?