Motorcycle
Driving school
theory book
for category A
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Chapter 3: General traffic and traffic
For this chapter you will need the Driving School Theory Book for category B. In the first chapters you have read about the motorcycle itself. And how to check that it meets various legal requirements. You've also gotten a taste of what it's like to be a motorcyclist. You've learned something concrete. But before you go out on the road with your motorcycle, it's important that you also know something general about traffic and road traffic. You are an important participant in traffic, and so are your fellow road users. Together, you must make traffic flow safely and smoothly. It's easier the more traffic sense you have yourself.
Maneuverability and orientation conditions
Try noticing a busy road one day. It's bustling with traffic. Cyclists, drivers, pedestrians and other road users. They're all going somewhere. And all at different speeds. Some are speeding and others are almost crawling along. Different vehicles have different maneuvering characteristics. Some are light and can react quickly if a dangerous situation arises. Others are heavy and cannot stop or turn quickly. It's all about the vehicle's controllability. We rarely notice it, but traffic - it's just something that drives. And it needs to drive, but it's important that you know how. If you know something about the conditions of other road users in traffic, it's easier for you to anticipate - and thus avoid - dangers and accidents. Read the chapter in the Driving School theory book for category B called "Vehicle handling characteristics". It gives you examples of how traffic is affected by the characteristics and limitations of the vehicles themselves. But of course, traffic is also affected by the people in or on the vehicles themselves, the road users. Therefore, you also need to have some sense of road user behavior.
Traffic behavior
Road user = human in traffic. And most of them are quite ordinary. Therefore, you can say something general about the way they behave and react in traffic. You need to know what happens when a person perceives a dangerous situation or perhaps perceives it too late. You also need to know how to judge speed, distance and other road users.
You need to read about these 'soft' topics in the Driving School Theory Book for category B. The chapters are called "A little road psychology for drivers" and "Behavior of other road users". Read them and become a tolerant and thinking motorcyclist! Traffic and road safety is very much about the people in it, but it's also about the traffic environment, i.e. the roads.
Road conditions
You need to learn to recognize the types of roads and stretches that can be particularly tricky or dangerous. You can also say something general about them.
Road safety also has to do with the weather and the environment itself.
You can read more about this in the Driving School theory book for category B, in the chapter called "Road risks".
Basic rules for driving
Before you hit the road, you should also be aware of the general legal requirements for riding a motorcycle. Unfortunately, there are some road users who don't know how to cooperate with a motorcyclist in traffic. Some of them may have bad experiences, others are unsure. By knowing the requirements of the Danish Road Traffic Act regarding the motorcyclist's driving style, you can avoid many unfortunate situations. For example, you must be able to distinguish between being a "danger", "inconvenience" or "undue inconvenience" to other road users. You can read more about this in the Driving School theory book for category B in the chapter called "Basic rules for driving". But right now you can read about the rules for riding with a passenger or goods on a motorcycle.
§ In the registration certificate you will find the motorcycle's permitted total weight. The law states that the motorcycle, passenger and goods together must not weigh more than the permitted total weight. In addition, the passenger and goods must be arranged in such a way that the driver can maneuver safely and with a clear view forward and backward.
Passengers must, by law, sit with one leg on each side of the motorcycle. And it is your responsibility to ensure that children between the ages of 5 and 15 wear a securely fastened helmet.
The motorcycle is largely controlled by the body. Therefore, you need to make sure your passenger understands the importance of following your lean when cornering. The passenger should also make sure to sit close to your back and either hold on to you or a handlebar.
§ By law, cargo on the motorcycle must not cover the turn signals, license plate and lights. It must be secured so that it does not fall off, drag along the road and risk getting caught in the wheel. Goods that protrude more than 1 m beyond the front or rear of the motorcycle must be marked. You must never use the motorcycle to pull a person next to you on a bicycle, or on the back of a sled or on roller skates, for example. And the motorcycle must never be towed by another vehicle either. The law states that at least 25% of the service weight (weight of the motorcycle + equipment + driver's weight) must be on the front wheel. You need to be aware of this if you have to carry a lot of luggage. The more weight you put forward towards the center, for example in a tank bag, the better it is for steering. If the bike is heavily loaded at the back, it will be sensitive to crosswinds. Finally, make sure you pack so that the bike is equally heavy on each side. One, two, three! The loading triangle is a good model to keep in mind when packing your motorcycle. See the figure at the top of the page. When you've said A, you must also say B! To find out more about the topics in this chapter, you'll need to read more in the B book.
Test your knowledge
Cat. A - Section 3
Choose the questions that you think are the right ones.