Couple of Questions

[Steven_85]

1. When am out on my bike and I come across speed humps on the road.
The one's which I guess you can say are split into big squares, 1 on your side and one on the other.
so in between them is normal road.
If there is no traffic coming I normally just cut up in between them so don't have to ride over it,
My bike doesnt' have the best suspension.
But if I was out on a lesson or a test would that be seen as abad thing to do?.

2. When coming to a junction or stopping at lights, I used to put my right foot down and have my left foot resting on the foot rest.
I started noticing other bikers having there left foot down and there right one on the rest.So now I do the same.

Is there a right or wrong way to this?

[Tristan.]

your right footrest has the rear brake, assuming you ride a geared bike, when stopped you should keep your rear brake on.

Not sure on the offial take on speed bumps, I know the type you mean and they can be quite vicious, what sort of speed do you take them at? I would imagine you should go over them, unless it'd be dangerous to, since they usually try to drop your speed for a reason (nearby school etc.) before taking a test if theres a lot in your area find out what speed you can take them at comfortably, when I go over unavoidable rough patches I find standing on my pegs helps, rather than sitting on the seat.

[GeorgeCBR]

Not too sure about 1, but 2, its the safety position i believe, right foot on the brake and left foot on the floor, curbside. I think its so the bike doesnt roll forwards or back, and so that you have a balanced position, and full control. Not entirely sure, so don't take my word. but it seems logical.
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[Bomberman]

Also, on the second Q., if your foot slips you fall towards the pavement, and not oncoming traffic
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[Steven_85]

I do now but when I first started riding I use to use my front brake when stopped.

As it's normally in a 30 speed limit these humps are in, I say I would just go a little bit slower by just dabbing the brake and riding over.

I thought it may be classed as bad riding, but just wanted to make sure so that I don't do it when/if am on a test.

Cheers

[st3v3]

I did a lot studying for my test and came across this, you can go round the right hand side of them bump if there's no danger or causing oncoming traffic to change speed or direction, round the left if there's no pedestrians or cyclists you may encounter.

On the footpeg note, I use front brake when stopped as my bike hasn't got the longest gear range in first I change instantly into second using my right foot to balance, not worrying about the rear brake, As Far As I know, you can't fail the test for this, and it can't be illegal as you are in full control of the bike either way
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[Catalyst]

I second what Steve says. Mine has a short 1st gear and it's impossible for me to have the left foot down. I usually go around speed bumps if it's safe to do so.

Jack
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[T.C]

In respect of the speed cushions, provided you do not cause approaching traffic to alter course or speed, and you do not cross over or straddle a solid centre white line system, there is absolutely no problem with riding between them.

As far as the use of the rear brake is concerned, it is a DSA requirement that the examiner wants to see the rear brake is being covered when the bike is stationary. They argue that it allows learner riders to afford a better display of control and ensures that the machine will not roll backwards before moving off from stationary, particularly prior to commencing the hillstart.

However, once through the test, and if you go on to take advanced training, then right foot (brake side) goes to ground unless road camber, design of the bike or rider for that matter prevents the right foot being put down as it avoids the Hendon Shuffle (changing feet to select gears and then back to covering the brake again). It allows for neutral gear to be selected easier and quicker thereby making for a quicker and smoother getaway, and it also shows good control of the front brake and throttle.

However as I said, some people have short legs, some have small hands so it all comes down at the end of the day to doing what is safe, and if that means putting both feet down, then so be it.

But for the learner test, it is left foot to ground and cover the rear brake.
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[rdm3ch]

On my CBT I was told to have my left foot down and right foot up and covering the rear brake.

I wasnt 100% sure about the speed bumps so this was good to read. When I have come across them I have either gone between them when the road is quiet, or slowed down before going over.

[rocket_richie]

i was told that you will be expected to ride thru them at 30pmh if its a 30 zone and you r not making the oncoming trafic alter thir corse
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[BanditBitch]

On my test I went on a road with a lot of speed bumps, and we hadnt covered then on DAS, so I wasnt sure what to do.

Anyway, I did a mixture of avoiding them by going on the inside of the square, and the occaisional one, near the outer side, nr the middle of the road...when there was no oncoming traffic. I passed my test, so what I was doing must have been ok.

As for your second point. I was taught when you come to a standstill always put your left foot down, and your right foot on the back brake.

[Steven_85]

Well am glad I asked about the speed humps, because it's not the sort of thing you first think of while riding.


I am the same about having a short 1st gear change, and with me being left handed/footed I found it easier to have left foot on pedal,right foot on floor but am getting ajusted to the right way now.

[Syx]

My instructor told me off for riding over those speed cushions - he wondered why on earth I wasn't making use of the perfectly flat bits of road on the side! I passed my test without riding over the top of a single one, so obviously it's a-ok.

As for the right foot - I've always been told that it's better to keep your rear brake on than your front as if you get shunted the negery goes into compressing the rear shock rather than tipping you over the front. I was nudged from behind once and barely noticed (granted, there was zero damage as it was only a tap) but I always wondered what would have happened if I hadn't had my rear brake on!

[T.C]

[veeeffarr]

[ncrn]

I've been told that you should use your right foot to cover the brake when sat in gear. The reasoning being if your hand slips off the clutch for whatever reason, say you aren't paying attention, or you get bumped from behind, the bike doesn't fly away from under you it would just stall.

I tend to do it as it holds the bike still and feels natural to do for me.
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