Risk Management Magazine

Scanning the road ahead, I watched the lead rider do a wheelie as he crested a hill, leaving the rest of us far behind. I glanced back at the distracted rider just as the second man in the formation attempted to mirror the leader by pulling a wheelie of his own. In what felt like slow motion, his back tire began to wobble.

Motorcyclists must maintain rigorous focus on road-surface hazards such as seasonal potholes, slippery bridge gratings, construction zones and surface debris alongside their standard defensive traffic scanning.

A near-miss incident where a left-turning sedan cut off an oncoming motorcycle highlights that crossing vehicles represent one of the most lethal threats to riders. This close call demonstrates that active situational awareness, rapid defensive swerving and high-visibility gear are a rider's critical lines of defense against driver inattention and cognitive miscalculations.