ANTICIPATE THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS

There is going to be a time that will be your first time riding your own motorcycle on the road by yourself. It might feel a bit daunting but also very exciting at the same time. You should at first plan short local journeys to get used to your bike and being on your own making all the decisions. Always carry out motorcycle checks and wear fully protective clothing on every journey, even if you are just popping down to the shops. This is where most accidents happen when you are close to home as your guard is down because you are familiar with the area you are riding. You must take responsibility for your own actions, always anticipate the actions of other road users and ride defensively at all times. You should wear high visibility clothing to be seen by others and always think that other road users are blind and haven’t seen you.

YOUR FIRST RIDE ON YOUR OWN

As an inexperienced rider you should think before each manoeuvre, junction and hazard. Don’t neglect your lifesavers and observations because you are now a full licence holder. Take care if you are using your motorcycle to commute, riding on your own, filtering and making all the decisions is demanding and requires you to be on top of your game. Gaining valuable experience in rush hour takes time and making the wrong decision can be costly. The weather conditions will greatly affect you. Ensure you wear enough layers if you are going out for any length of time, especially on a warm spring day. This is because the temperature can suddenly change towards the end of the day and you do not want to get caught out. You should be aware that brand new motorcycle clothing can be uncomfortable and can cause distractions. Gloves and boots that are too tight may feel sore. Becoming skilled with a new motorcycle requires practice and patience, get used to your bike's acceleration and braking characteristics, they will be completely different to the bike you trained and tested on. This all takes time and you should not see your motorcycle as a new toy but should treat it and the roads with the utmost respect. This all starts with your first motorcycle road ride.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER - First time on the road

• Your new bike is not a toy
• Take your time to start with
• Only plan small journeys for experience
• Wear the correct clothing
• Don’t ride faster than your ability
• Consider the weather conditions
• Treat the road and your new bike with respect
• Never be in a rush or hurry