1. Always look over your shoulder before changing direction
2. Create a buffer zone around you – in front, behind and to the sides
3. Play it safe
4. In traffic queues, don’t tailgate the car in front
5. Don’t position yourself in the blind spots of car wing mirrors
6. If you’re cycling alongside a van or minibus, make sure the driver can see you.
7. Watch out for the road surface emerging from under the vehicle in front of you. It could be a pothole or a puddle of oil.
8. Don’t position yourself directly behind panel vans. They won’t know you’re there
9. In very heavy traffic, don’t weave between lanes. Do so at very low speed and only when traffic is at a standstill.
10. Don’t ride close to parked cars. They might open a door
11. Watch out for the car behind you. It might not see you.
12. Keep it in first gear when stationary; you never know if you might need to swerve out of the way
13. Always adapt your gear selection to the situation. The motorbike must be able to respond to the throttle whenever necessary
14. Adapt your speed and the bike’s lean angle to road conditions
15. Assess the traffic, anticipate potential surprises and devise strategies to deal with them. You might need it
16. Always assume that car drivers are on their mobiles, are going to make a mistake or do something stupid
17. Be diplomatic with car drivers. We need them to make life easier for us…
18. If drivers in the lane to your left or right are stationary in slow-moving traffic and your lane is moving faster, and in the same direction as theirs, expect them to swerve into your lane…
19. Look out for the sides of cars in traffic. They are a sign of danger. If you spot the side of a car ahead, be careful – it may be preparing to cut across in front of you. Seeing the front and rear of cars is normal. The sides are not.
20. When riding, don’t be shy – make your motorbike visible. It’s important that car drivers see you
21. Try to see the faces of car drivers. If you can see them, then they can see you too
22. Practise emergency braking, low-speed riding and counter steering
23. Don’t rely on luck
24. Beware of overconfidence
25. Be patient