Crash Course - The SMIDSY

[Motogymkhana]

If swerving gets you a ticket in the good old USA, then you need to be a bit more subtle about things. A gentle movement from one part of your lane to another should be enough to break the motion camouflage and make you visible to the driver. Since developing this technique not one driver has tried to pull out in front of me and I do many thousands of miles every year. When it comes down to the lesser of two evils, I would much prefer a ticket to being splattered over the front of a car!

[tavery80]

In the US, you WILL get stopped and cited for reckless driving in you engage in this weaving technique, and most probably be given a breathalyzer test. This is ILLEGAL in all 50 states. I know...I was stopped and cited last year. As the judge said, "If you're that worried about hitting someone, stop riding. Cars may not have the right of way in all situations, but they WILL assume that all oncoming traffic has at least 4 wheels. Deal with it."

[maxincyt]

Bikes have a horn for this very situation.

[ChrisRussell91]

Too bad you will get pulled over for swerving in the US.

[johnny21usaf]

thats why i always keep my highbeam on..

[sinki19841984]

Best part starts at 1:40 again at 1:47 and 1:52

[Myrtone]

Dennis might be accident free, but has he ever come close?

[Mike82ARP]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[packnrat]

weaving to and fro would earn you a ticket and possible dui check here in the USA. what is said is good to know and could help keep you on to the next mile, best to keep a clear head and do what is needed.

[Ajax0123]

Unfortunately where I’m from that maneuver, side to side would earn us a stunting ticket in Edmonton Alberta Canada.

[Buggerguns]

@Ajax0123 lol

[mjavor]

"Most motorcycle accidents are as a result of a collision with a car." This is not true. Most motorcycle accidents are single vehicle accidents.

[thewizardofrhythm]

@mjavor Nope, all the statistics say that cars pulling out on motorcyclists are the most frequent cause - followed by misjudging bends. Sorry, you're wrong, you can confirm that with a simple Google search, just like I did.

[Cr0aton]

@thewizardofrhythm Here in Norway the most common cause is single-vehicle-accidents.

[thewizardofrhythm]

@Cr0aton Well that's Norway - we're talking globally.

[Buggerguns]

I've been looking for eye contact and tweaking my lane position to reduce the odds and better anticipate the Smidsy so I can be ready to escape when it happens.

This is a cunning technique and it works very well. It's interesting (and reassuring) to see someone who's dimly looking through you instantly snap his face right at you when you suddenly APPEAR. Very effective.

I'm really eager to learn more from him.

[schleppydotnet]

Excellent video, thank you! Having encountered a SMIDSY yesterday (and thankfully stopping my bike in time) I can really appreciate this. Great advice!

[MrEmperor79]

If you ride and live in the city, this would be impossible to do as there are side streets everywhere and cars pulling infront of you everywhere.

[whoogie]

more more more

[MJG2200]

This is good stuff, keep it up guys

[viggoM35]

That's why I usually own bikes with bright flashy colors and ride with lights. I've seen this new thing with kids that like to have all black bikes & cars. Seeing them is challenge enough, now they're trying to be stealth... Doh!!!

[tcalof]

Just get a headlight modulator. No silly weaving required to be seen.

[Precisionstonemaul]

I find it is easiest to tell if a car is about to move by looking at the wheel spokes of the car. Sometimes (especially automatic) drivers tend to creep forwards before pulling out. Nonetheless, always cover the brakes and expect the worst. It only takes once person to pull out in front of you so never take the chance.

[madogblue]

Real good, simple technique

[mrburnard]

@UnderCutChris477 what a moron

[mrburnard]

@UnderCutChris477 go back to fiddling little kids rent boy

[mrburnard]

@UnderCutChris477 what was it like getting molested by ya dad?

[magnusconsul]

HI, David from Australia , just want to say thanks for the tip! It all helps. We get to ride most times of the year, so now I can act to avoid a crash.

[gershonbenfranja]

Excellent video. I've done the SIAM in the past, but know I know when it's likely to be more effective. Thanks

[fatpitch3]

IMHO it's a fine idea. I'd really like to see the rest of the series ... was it produced?

[greggpedder]

I find a good long blast on the horn and the finger works well also.

[HooliganDR]

I started doing this about a year ago, it works very well! I never thought about watching the cars background to judge the driver's perception of myself, simple but brilliant idea!

[TheMrRanto]

Have to laugh at the "eye contact" line that some people are running. If they can't see you and your bike, how are they going to see you making "eye contact" with them through a full face helmet and visor.

The swerve doesn't have to be quite as dramatic as shown here either. A slow track from right to left (or visa versa) also helps to break you out of the background.

[magnusconsul]

Hello, I am in Adelaide Australia, and I just want to say thanks on a great information service, well done, you must have saved a lot of lives by now! Cheers.

[desmodronic916]

Sometimes while drivers trying to run over me I use the horn, and they waving..

[roIcVky]

Motorbikes should have a mini horn to warn drivers when youre near if you suspect they wont see you. Not to say they wont hear you as well though...

[RoadcraftNottingham]

Very professional commentary, remember though that high vis still doesn't guarantee visibility so don't rely on this alone, it just INCREASES your chance of being seen... When I saw the weave I laughed, what IS he doing? Simple solution is to move position out to middle of the road, reduce speed and consider sounding the horn. Nice video up to that point. Lol.

[Smeegles]

Hi Viz my arse, if a driver can't see a firetruck in their mirrors with lights blazing etc. what will a small vest achieve?

[banditkiddy]

If im being critical id say where is your hi-viz ? Advanced instructors should be setting an example. Its either hi-viz all the time or never, which is it.?  Regards, Derek IAMs member 366411 Car and Bike.

[arryace]

some good information in this video, the section on looming is good i watched with interest until i saw the swerve action and was horrified.

if on aproach to a jct you are that unsure that a driver has seen you a drop in speed and a plan for evasion would be far more beneficial.

[advancedbiker]

I was wathcing with interest until I saw the swerve movements when approaching a junction. Is this a wind up or for real. I f I was still in the job, I'd be stopping that rider. In control.....?

[powermac1954]

Interesting ideas but not convinced....if you have to brake while doing the smegma or whatever its called...youre on your arse anyway....tend to go for slow/coverbrakes and try and make eye contact...

[clogboy2009]

How can you be in control of a motorcycle if you are weaving across the carriageway? If you see a car in a junction slow down, it is much simpler and far more effective.

[batlin]

If there was a police car behind you, you wouldn't do it because the car at the junction will notice the police car and, obviously, the bike in front of it! I think it's a pretty interesting idea.

[bobbycmoore]

I'm all for new ideas, but this is very poor advice. We're riding along a country lane, is this guy really suggesting we weave around the road each time we come to a junction? How will motorists driving in the opposite direction react? How will drivers behind us react? No, the best way is to ease off the throttle and make eye contact.

[CheggyUK]

Dont try this SIAM if theres any chance of a police officer being around.... easiest way to get into an discusion about careless/reckless riding and trust me, you wont win that argument at the roadside

[damocles2002]

What amazes me is that the instructor is a nice guy and a professional but, in this video, while talking about making ourselves obvious to drivers of cars, he is wearing black. Why is it that motorcyclists wear black? It is a cool color but is it easy to see during all daylight hours etc.?

[trumpettom001]

@damocles2002 glad someone else spotted this - I've heard that drivers say to cyclists "you weren't wearing a green top - how was I supposed to see you?"

[Goodegging]

you could blast the horn a few times to get drivers attention too. like a warning signal.

[treacy1000xlv]

when coming up to a junction gateway etc. and there's a car etc. pulling out i just roll off the throttle so that the engine is braking

if there was a police car behind you and seen you do this what would they think

[Heale86]

Very help full ty been ridign for 4 years nearly had a crash like that a few time i followed one and she said to me i was in a rush didnt see u i just dont think she looked.

[viasevenvai]

excellent info! thanks!

[miticone6]

well done . . . I'll use the SIAM in the future because I did see you, mate.

[girlwheelie]

Good video!!!!

[sabamacx]

This is fantastic, really well done and put together. Thank you!

[boysinblack]

Old People Like BMWS :D

hay i like BMWs

[chrischedgzoy]

Good advice Dunc, however I do wonder what I would think if a bike came weaving in and out like that towards me. Might make me look and think what a idot but there again I guess I have seen him so job done.

[DuncanMacKillop]

You are right! The whole point of the exercise is to make sure that the bike is seen. Who cares what the driver might think of the rider, as long as they see the bike and don't pull out, all will be well.

[14wjones]

@DuncanMacKillop

Duncan, good to see you continue to advance riding safety. this video has been circulating on the MSF listserve the past few days. Please stay in touch. Willie