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The mnemonic for system of motorcycle control is IPSGA and it stands for Information, Position, Speed, Gear and Acceleration. It is a structured system used to help riders approach hazards in a planned, calm and consistent way.
The key question for an examiner conducting an advanced test is simple: Does the rider grasp the phases of the system and can they apply the system correctly to every hazard?
That matters because IPSGA is not just something to remember for an advanced test. It is a practical method for dealing with the road. It helps you gather information, make a plan, place the motorcycle correctly, set the right speed, choose the right gear and then apply acceleration when it is safe and appropriate.
The system is strongly associated with police and emergency service roadcraft. It has since been adopted by advanced rider training because it provides a strong foundation for a structured, planned approach to hazards.
Used properly, IPSGA makes riding safer, smoother and more enjoyable. It also reduces stress because the rider is no longer reacting late. They are thinking ahead and dealing with each situation in an organised and methodical way.
IPSGA should be applied to every hazard the rider encounters. A hazard is anything that may cause the rider to change speed, position, direction or plan.
This could be a bend, junction, roundabout, pedestrian, vehicle, road surface change, restricted view, parked vehicle or weather condition. The system gives the rider a repeatable process for dealing with these situations.
The phases should normally follow the sequence of Information, Position, Speed, Gear (hazard) and then Acceleration.
However, the system is not a rigid checklist, it is flexible. If new information appears, you may need to restart part of the system. For example, you will have chosen a position and started setting speed, but then a new hazard appears. You then need to reconsider position, adjust speed again, select a different gear and delay acceleration.
This is what makes the system useful. It gives structure, but it also allows you to adapt.
Information is the first phase of IPSGA, but it never stops. The rider must keep gathering, using and giving information throughout the whole ride. This includes road layout, signs, markings, traffic movement, mirrors, weather, surface condition, pedestrians, other riders and anything that may affect the plan. The rider should keep their eyes moving and look as far ahead as possible, while still checking the near and middle distance.
Information also includes what the rider cannot see. A closed bend, brow of a hill, parked van or hedge line may hide a hazard. The rider should ask: what can I see, what can’t I see, and what can I reasonably expect to happen?
As part of the Information phase, riders must Take in information they see, Use it to make a flexible plan and then Give (TUG) information where necessary to other road users. Good information gives the rider time. Poor information leads to late decisions, rushed control inputs and reduced safety margins.
Position is about placing the motorcycle where it gives the rider the best combination of safety, stability and view.
The correct position depends on the information gathered. It may help the rider see further, be seen earlier, create space from hazards or improve the line through a bend. Position should never be chosen simply by habit.
A good position gives the rider options. It should not place the rider too close to oncoming traffic, too near the kerb, too close to a junction mouth or into a place where they cannot respond if the situation changes.
For motorcycles, position is especially important because a small change in road position can make a significant difference to view and safety. The correct position creates advantages that less aware riders often miss.
Speed is the phase where the rider sets the correct speed for the hazard and the conditions. This does not simply mean slowing down. In many cases, reducing speed will be necessary, but the key is to choose a speed that allows the rider to remain in control, stop if needed and respond to what can be seen.
The correct speed must match the view, road surface, traffic, weather, bend severity, junction risk and available space. If the rider cannot stop safely within the distance they can see to be clear, the speed is too high.
Speed should be adjusted before the gear is selected, this is an important part of advanced riding. The brakes and throttle are used to set speed, then the correct gear is chosen for that speed and the next action.
Once the rider has set the correct speed, they should select the gear that gives the motorcycle the right level of response and control. The correct gear is not always the lowest gear or the quietest gear. It is the gear that allows the motorcycle to respond smoothly if the rider needs to accelerate, hold speed or adjust the plan.
Many riders change down through the gears and use engine braking as the main method of slowing down. An advanced rider will normally set the speed first, then select the appropriate gear for that speed. This keeps the ride smoother and reduces unnecessary strain through the motorcycle transmission.
A good gear choice prepares the motorcycle for what comes next. It gives the rider control, response and confidence before reaching the identified hazard.
Acceleration is the final phase of IPSGA, it does not simply mean going fast. Acceleration means applying drive when it is safe, legal and appropriate. This may be strong acceleration on an open road, gentle acceleration away from a junction, or only enough drive to keep the motorcycle balanced and moving at lower speeds.
The rider should only accelerate when the view ahead is clear. The motorcycle should already be correctly positioned, travelling at the correct speed and in the correct gear. If the rider accelerates before the hazard is properly dealt with, they may reduce their safety margin.
Acceleration should be smooth, controlled and deliberate. It should take the rider away from one hazard while already preparing for the next. The system then begins again.
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IPSGA is a system, not a script. The rider should understand the order, but they must also understand when to reapply or restart parts of the system. If new information appears, the plan may need to change. A vehicle may move, a view may close, a road surface may worsen or another hazard may develop.
In practice, a motorcyclist may feel most of the physical work happening in Position, Speed and Gear, while Information continues constantly and Acceleration is applied as needed to maintain drive, balance and progress.
The strength of IPSGA is that it gives the rider a repeatable structure without removing judgement. It supports calm decision making, but it still requires awareness and flexibility.
The reason many riders make mistakes is because they do not use a methodical approach to riding.
Some riders try to recite the system rather than use it. IPSGA must be applied to the road as it changes. If new information appears, the rider must be willing to adapt the plan.
Riders may fail to gather enough information, choose poor position, leave speed too late, select the wrong gear or accelerate before the hazard is complete. This breaks the flow of the system.
If the rider is travelling faster than they can observe, think and plan, the system falls apart. Speed must always allow enough time to apply IPSGA properly.
Developing IPSGA takes practice. The rider should apply it consciously until it becomes a natural part of their riding.
A useful exercise is to identify each hazard early and work through the system in the correct order. What information is available? What position gives the best advantage? What speed is safe? What gear gives a good response? Is acceleration now appropriate?
Motorcycle Riders Hub can support this process through structured learning, professional video guidance and development tools that help riders understand each phase away from the pressure of the road.
The aim is not just to pass an advanced test. The aim is to build a safer, smoother and more disciplined way of riding.
On your next ride, reflect on how you apply IPSGA. Ask yourself:
Improving your use of IPSGA will improve every part of your riding. It gives structure to your decisions, reduces rushed reactions and helps you manage hazards with greater confidence and control.
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