Lane Positioning

The motorcyclists’ biggest disadvantage is the small profile. Because of our small size, we tend to get lost in traffic. Todays SUVs, which now seem to be the prevalent vehicle on our roads, create large blind spots. The typical driver of a typical automobile has developed skills and formed sufficient muscle memory to scan for traffic in multiple directions simultaneously, all while locating and judging the speed of each of these surrounding vehicles for less than a second. A monumental task when you think about it. Even if attention is given to us, the motorcyclist’ small profile can lead to the misjudging of its speed.

We have always said that the price we pay to ride is that we must ride “hyper defensively” and “strategically” at all times. We have done our best to break down some of these riding tactics for the new rider, to get you started on your journey of learning and perfecting your skills. Our hope is that your future experiences, after developing these skills, will form new concepts and tactics that you can then pass to other new riders that come after you, to keep this awesome sport of motorcycling and it’s riders alive for years to come. That’s our goal.

Let’s talk about how Lane Positioning tactics will help you use your small size to your advantage on your quest for that PhD in motorcycling that we riders are working towards.  

The Three Tracks

The law states than a motorcycle is entitled to the entire lane when riding. Keep in mind some motorcyclists have claimed, “The rider should always be positioned in the lane at the same position as the automobile driver would be in the lane, with no exceptions.” In our opinion, they are giving you poor advice. Essentially these riders are saying, “Instead of using lane position tactics, just keep it simple and drive to the left which is good most of the time.” … We think you are smarter than that.

Here is the problem. There is no lane position that is optimal at all times. Each position has advantages and disadvantages, often resulting in some sort of compromise.

For this conversation, lets break down each lane into three tracks. Track 1, Track 2, Track 3. Yes, there is such thing as a Track 1.5 or a 2.5 and there may be a good reason to use these, but lets just stick to the basic 1-2-3 for simplicity. So, Track 1 would be the left of the lane, Track 2 the center, and Track 3 the right of the lane. 

We should also say that a proper 2 two 3 second following distance from the vehicle in front is key to safe riding. Some of the graphics below give the impression that vehicles are traveling too close, and you would be right if you thought this. It is not practical to draw up these graphics and have them appear on your screen effectively by creating a lot of space between vehicles. So you will have to use your imagination. 

Let’s get into three riding tactics you should consider.

Blocking Position

When we talk about Blocking Positions, we are talking about controlling traffic behind us and to our side. We generally scan our mirrors every “8ish” seconds. In those 8 seconds, a lot can happen behind us. It is vital that we position our motorcycle in such a way that blocks our lane from intrusion. Remember, you need to keep your space in traffic. Space equals time. On a single lane road, this blocking position will be Track 1. (Graphic Below) In North America, drivers behind us will look to pass on the left in this scenario. Your Track 1 position establishes your lane. Imagine coming up on a small motorcycle/scooter traveling slowly in Track 3 in front of your car. The Track 3 position of this motorcycle/scooter could be giving you the impression that they want you to pass, or they are pulling over, or perhaps they are turning right. A scenario such as this might lead to a situation where a car and a motorcycle occupy the same lane at the same time, taking away a motorcycle’s space.

The same scenario could happen after you have activated your turn signal to turn right, but in a different way. (Graphic Below) The area you now need to protect before making the turn is the right part of the lane and not the left, requiring you to perform a 1 – 3, or perhaps 1 -2 Track shift. Imagine a situation where after applying your right turn signal, you stay in Track 1 as you begin your right turn. This will certainly increase the chances of having a vehicle that is following you, turn inside your turn, again, taking your space away. A quick shoulder check, to clear your blind spot, is a good idea when moving from one track to another. However, in this scenario, a good “deep” shoulder check is also smart considering how fast cyclists (pedal power or e-power) can travel in downtown traffic. Have you seen how fast some of these new electric scooters travel?

In a scenario where you are in the left lane of 2 lanes traveling in the same direction, Track 3 would be the optimal lane for blocking vehicles behind you. Vehicles that are traveling behind you in this lane would typically pass you on the right. Therefore, it is the right side of the lane you need to protect. Track 3 might not be the best position for other reasons that we will get into next. (See Being and Being Seen below)

If you need to turn left ahead and you are traveling in your Track 3 blocking position above, it is a good idea to shoulder check, perform a 3 – 1 Track shift at around the time you activate your turn signal, before making the turn for the same reason as we discussed for the righthand turn.

Seeing and Being Seen Position

You might decide that, even more important than blocking, is your need to see or be seen by oncoming traffic. Typically, the position to see oncoming traffic, and have oncoming traffic see you while following a vehicle is in Track 1, for both one and two lanes traveling in the same direction. This why most consider Track 1 to be the default position. (Graphic Below) There are exceptions to this, such as riding in righthand curves while following a high-sided vehicle, or for blind spot purposes (Buffer Positions) which we will cover next. From this position, you have an excellent view of oncoming traffic, and the on-coming vehicles have a good view of you. Your headlight is clearly visible from the sideview mirror of the vehicle you are following, and if your road is straight or curving the left, you can see the vehicles that are ahead of the vehicle you are following easily. Track 2 can be a benefit and a good compromise position when two hazards exist. However, following a vehicle in Track 2 can give you very little time to react to road debris that the vehicle you are following can easily straddle and it tends to be where a lot of oil/antifreeze etc. accumulates.  

Let’s talk a little more about curves. In a typical situation with no one in front or behind you, A Track 3 position will give you superior “Seeing or Being Seen” position in a sharp left-hand curve, something a 4 wheeled vehicle cannot do. Track 1 would give you a superior “Seeing and Being Seen” position for a sharp curve to the right. 

Buffer Position

We consider “Buffer Positions” to be momentary track shifts to deal with oncoming hazards. The typical scenario is passing through a vehicle’s blind spot. This may see the rider perform a 3 – 1 Track shift while passing in the left lane to create space in the scenario below.

Another situation where a Buffer Position is required is when you have an on-coming large truck or tractor-trailer, for a few reasons. These big trucks move air, create dust, and can steer your motorcycle if it is a smaller machine. A 1 – 3 Track shift will help with this. An even bigger reason for the 1 – 3 Track shift in this scenario is the blind spot that these large trucks produce. We have all been in our cars, traveling behind large trucks, hoping to pass. Passing cars are checking the oncoming lane for oncoming … cars. The rider in Track 1 might be overlooked leading to catastrophic results. A simple 1 – 3 Track Shift will provide better visibility and more time for both the motorcyclist and the possible oncoming passing vehicle to react.

Consider These

You are traveling on your motorcycle on a road with one lane traveling in each direction, with no one behind you or in front of you in your lane. You notice a string of oncoming cars that seem to be following behind one slow moving yellow car. You might consider performing a 1 – 3 Track shift to create space, because some of these trailing cars might try to pass. This would improve your “Seeing and Being Seen” and provide both you and the oncoming motorists more time to react. We would consider this to be a good tactic.

Same road. Same oncoming string of traffic. There is no one in front of you in your lane, but you are being followed by an aggressive driver in a red sports car. You really don’t want to fully unblock the lane from behind by moving to Track 3, so you might consider a momentary 1 – 2 Track shift as a compromise position between creating space for the string of oncoming traffic and a blocking position to control the vehicle behind you. We would also consider this to be a good riding tactic.

Same road. Same oncoming string of traffic. But this time you are following a large white pickup truck and you also have that same aggressive driver in the red car behind you. You might decide that the large white pickup truck you are following might prevent oncoming vehicles from passing, so you might decide that Seeing and Being Seen is a priority, keeping your Track 1 position.

Same road, same oncoming string of traffic, three different track positions and our opinion, three right answers.

Ride safe everyone and remember to Never Stop Learning.