Improve your riding: junctions and getting them right
The right approach and owning the bit of the road you’re using – how to become a junction master.
Welcome to the second instalment of MCM’s Improve section, where we show you an easy and free way to kick out some bad habits you may have picked up over the years and replace them with ways to be a safer, better and cooler (okay, maybe not cooler) rider for no money down and just a few minutes of your time.
This month, we’re looking at junctions. Sounds easy, working a junction, but just like the basic road positioning we covered last month, it’s all about being in the right place at the right time but here, maybe more than in any other type of road riding, it’s crucial to work out what you want to do then do it nice and early.
Rushing or chopping and changing at junctions is definitely the wrong way to go, it’ll wind up other road users, leave you in a very vulnerable position and cause you much stress.
So this is the best way to go about dealing with all types of junctions, all types of problems and all types of ways to control the road around you.
Good luck out there.
1 Step one: Right for right turn
This is all about thinking ahead and getting into the correct position when turning right at a T-junction. There are a few points to note about this. From the correct position, twothirds across your lane, you need to position yourself as close as you can to the centre line and as near to the front of the junction as it’s possible to be without straying into the oncoming road.
This is primarily for observation purposes. Yes, you need to be ready to ride off when the coast is clear but being here is also a good way to control the part of the road around you.
This position makes you very visible to other road users. They can see you easily; you’re not likely to be obscured by other vehicles.
Key points:
■ Think ahead early ■ Right, square on to the centre line at the end of the junction ■ As far up the junction to the T-line as possible
2 Step two: Now for the left turn
Basically, this is the same principle as for right turn out of junctions but this time you’re in position early and slightly pointing in the direction you’re going. Don’t be too left-turned on the bike otherwise you could seriously restrict how much of the traffic in the lane you’re joining you can see.
But again, from here you can see, you’re right up to the edge of the junction (safely) and the other road users can see you. Lovely.
■ Think ahead early ■ Position far left, slight angle in favour of direction ■ Make sure you’re as far up the junction as possible
3 Step three: Wrong way to approach
This is about turning off a main carriageway and into a junction. And this is one of the most common mistakes made by motorcyclists. Just because the part of the junction you can see on the approach is clear, it doesn’t mean it’ll stay that way.
So while idiot Dave in his souped-up, 20-year-old Golf comes slamming up to the junction, jamming his brakes on at the last second, you’re going to be in a massive amount of trouble if you’ve clipped the corner of the lane because you lack the discipline to do it right.
Key points:
■ Don’t turn in early ■ Wait until you can see all of the lane entry you’re turning into
4 Step four: Right way to approach
Discipline. Yeah, it sounds boring but if it stops your leg being smashed in by dozy Dave then it’s worth it for every single junction you come across. Basically this is all about getting far enough along so that you are at a 90º angle to the middle of the lane to the right. Stop at that point, in the threequarters position of the lane you’re in, and then when the traffic is clear make sure that you turn leaving as much space between you and any on the other side of the lane you are joining.
Key points:
■ Get to a 90º angle to the centre line of the junction you’re turning into ■ Wait until you are stopped before you start to turn ■ Be disciplined
5 Step five: Gaps and when to chop in
Now, this is one of the true joys of being on a motorcycle. There’s a gap in the traffic, it’s a junction and without much hassle you’ve got a great chance to make up some time and ground on your journey.
But there are two things to bear in mind here. The first is the approach speed into the situation (we’re assuming that we don’t have to explain to people not to rush to a junction... we don’t, do we? You are more savvy than that, aren’t you?), don’t use the junction line as an imaginary armco barrier to stop before otherwise you won’t leave yourself enough time to take advantage of gaps opening up.
The idea here is to control the space, so slow-moving traffic in the run up which often leaves gaps can be ideal for a biker to make the most of. Make your move early, recover into the correct lane position and then go slow in the final feet to the junction.
Don’t leave it too late otherwise you’ll find yourself in the wrong position, squashed up against traffic, annoying everyone and with very limited visibility.
A rookie mistake.
Key points:
■ Look ahead, plan your move early. If it’s on, it’s on. If not, never force it ■ Leave enough time to be able to get back into the correct lane position ■ Once you’re in the gap, control the road around you with your pace and position