Riding a motorcycle made me a better driver and a better pedestrian -particularly as a runner on the roadways. You have to be running out on the roads to do any kind of serious training. And equally as important is just plain being outside. Either way, it puts you on the road.
So, what’s a motorcycle got do with this? In Michigan there are really two ways to earn the CY endorsement on the driver’s license. One way is to simply show up at the Secretary of State office and schedule a road test and then take the written test. Or, you can take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class, which includes passing a road test; the MI Sec. of State accepts the results of the test, and then all that’s left is the written test. I took the Foundation class. I still use a key takeaway to this day as a driver and runner. It’s called SIPDE.
Scan-eyes moving in all directions. Up the road, behind, to the side. Take it all in and see exactly what is happening around you.
Identify-Do you see a car? Kids on bikes? Low hanging branches? Construction barrels?
Predict-What might happen regarding any one of the things you’ve picked up on?
Decide-How likely is it that your prediction will occur?
Execute-Make the move or take the action necessary to be safe-get and stay in the safe zone.
Here’s an example: I’m coming up to a crosswalk. (Scan)
The light is going to be green for me to cross. But I hear cars coming up behind me. I see one that looks to be slowing down as if it’s going to be turning at the crosswalk. (Identify)
There’s a decent chance because it’s fairly busy road that the car won’t see me. (Predict)
Therefore, even though I’ve got the right of way and the green light, I’m going to stop my run and turn to look and make sure the driver of the car that I believe is going to turn sees me. (Decide)
I stop at the crosswalk. (Execute) … The car is turning and the driver sees me. It stops and I then make my way across the road as I pick up my run again.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's motto is “The More You Know, the Better It Gets.” It was certainly true for me in riding. But I think it’s also true across the board. Just having some tricks to increase awareness has made all of my journeys better. I see more. I hear more. I take in more. I get more out of my time outside. And it’s all helping to keep me safe at the same time. Learning and understanding that drivers so often just don’t see motorcycles… or bikes… or animals… or people. SIPDE is a simple thing that works for safety and the entire ride, drive, walk or run.