Motorcycle Resource Guide

The suggestions below were taken from the Motorcycle Resource Guide (Motorcycle Awareness Lesson) produced by the Motorcycle Safety League of Virginia, Inc., in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia Department of Education. If interested in learning more about motorcycle safety instruction or information regarding the materials mentioned below, contact the Virginia Department of Education by clicking here or contact the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles by calling Bruce Biondo at (804) 367-1813. Links found on the VADETS home page, such as the link to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation may also be helpful to motorcycle enthusiasts as well as teachers. To check out the various motorcycle laws in Virginia click: Riding a Motorcycle in Virginia

Below is a partial selection of information from the Motorcycle Resource Guide. Please remember that this is not a complete text of the guide and that materials provided with the guide are not included with the following text. As indicated above, to obtain additional information contact the Virginia Department of Education or the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Forward

More than half of all crashes involving automobiles and motorcycles occur because the automobile driver did not see the motorcyclist. Compared to other vehicles on the road, motorcycles are smaller, less visible and offer less protection. A false move on the part of a motorist can often mean an injury or fatality for a motorcyclist.  The purpose of this one-last lesson is to help driver education students become more aware of motorcyclists’ needs for safe interaction on the roadway.

Acknowledgments

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Bruce Biondo

Jonathan Mosher

Virginia Department of Education

Vanessa Wigand

Cynthia Downing

Others

Don Nuttall

Gary Hanson

Tom Holmes

Dr. Patricia Hunter

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Introduction

Lesson Goals

Inform students how to be aware of motorcycles on the road, so that they may prevent fatalities, injuries and property damage due to preventable collisions involving automobiles and motorcycles.

Contents

Activities Eight activities from which to choose, with additional enrichment activities.

Materials To be used with activities.

Masters for Transparencies- To accompany some activities.  Includes teacher narrative.

Suggested One-Day Format

10 minutes Opening Activity

10-20 minutes – Motorcycle Awareness Videos (choose one or both sections on videotape

 5 minutes – Video Activity Sheet

15 minutes – If you choose only one of the two video sections, choose one of the remaining activities

 5 minutes – Summary

Activities

Activity 1:  “Jeopardy” (5 minutes)

Vocabulary and information game

Activity 2:  “Grab Bag” (15 minutes)

Multiple choice situations

Activity 3:  Video and Follow-Up Questions (10-20 minutes

Activity 4:  Role Play (15 minutes)

Students dramatize situations

Activity 5:  Ad Campaign (Take Home Assignment)

School/community ad campaign

Activity 6:  Word Scramble (5 minutes)

Vocabulary recognition

Activity 7:  Guest Speaker (time negotiable)

Activity 8:  “Win, Lose, or Draw” (time negotiable)

A drawing game

Summary (5 minutes)

Materials & Additional Handout Activities

In this lesson plan, the Opening Activity contains the curriculum’s core concepts. The remaining activities are designed to reinforce these concepts according to different student learning styles.  Choose as many activities as you can.  However, you’ll probably only have time to fit two or three activities into one class period.  Some activities are designed as homework assignments.

In many of the exercises, you’ll find masters for transparencies, teacher narratives, videos and other materials that will assist you in making an effective presentation. In addition, motorcycle safety instructors are available as guest speakers.  Hopefully, we have included all the necessary ingredients for you to create your own presentation.           

Opening Activity

Opening Activity:  “Motorcycle Brain Teasers” Time: 15 minutes

Important

This is a great activity to begin with – it summarizes the need for motorcycle awareness and includes basic facts that students will need in following activities.

 Directions

Use top of Transparency 1 and start by asking students…“What do you think motorcycle awareness is and why should we talk about it today?”

After you have a few responses from students, show bottom of Transparency 1 which defines motorcycle awareness: “Motorcycle awareness is something everyone should practice on the road. Simply put, it is being aware of how to spot and avoid situations in which you may have a collision with a motorcycle.”

Next, lead into the true/false statements by saying: “This is not as easy as it seems.  Motorcycles do not look or act like other vehicles on the road.  Let’s see how much you may already know about motorcycles on the road.”

Using the True/False Statements

One approach to this exercise is to use transparencies.  You can use Transparencies 2 & 3, which shows only the T/F statements; or you can use Transparencies 4-9, which shows the statements and the correct answers (use a sheet of paper to uncover the answers as you move through the statements).

After you read a statement to your students, ask them to show “thumbs up” if they think the statement is true or “thumbs down” if they think it is false.

Other Approaches

Traditional – Duplicate and provide each student with a copy of the statements.  Students should write true or false after each statement.  Next, show the answers on transparency, one at a time, to spark discussion.

Cooperative- Hand out copies of the statements and put students in work groups.  Read the first statement and give the groups 30 seconds to reach a consensus.  Ask for a “thumbs up/thumbs down” from each group leader.

Whole class- In this version, only you have the statements. Read each statement (either from sheet or transparencies) and allow students 5-10 seconds to think about their response.  Then ask for a show of thumbs.

Activity 1

Jeopardy

This activity is modeled after Jeopardy, the TV game show in which contestants are given answers from a variety of subject categories and then challenged to provide matching questions that complete the association.  In this version, however, the only category from which to choose is motorcycle awareness.

Duplicate and hand out the attached Jeopardy questions to students.  The questions are in no particular order.  Read the answers aloud to the class and reward correct responses with fake money (duplicate fake money from the Materials Section).  Use the following answer key to check your students’ answers.

Optional (this will take more time):  For an extra challenge, don’t hand out questions to students for their reference.

Answer Key to “Jeopardy”

Questions Answers

1.  The months when most motorcycles are on the road        1.  What are May, June, July and August?

2.  A helmet that is thick enough and large enough           2.What is an approved helmet?

to protect the head in the event of a collision.                              

3.  Space you can create between your vehicle and      3.  What is a cushion of space?

another to give you time to react in case of an

emergency.

4.  The time it takes a motorist to brake, accelerate      4.  What is reaction time?

or steer away from a dangerous situation.             

5. The attribute of being visible to other motorists               5. What is being conspicuous?

on the road.

6. The distance a vehicle travels from the time the  6. What is braking distance?

brakes are applied until it comes to a complete stop.

7. One of the most common ways a car driver    7. What is turning left in front of an

violates the right of way of a motorcyclist.               ongoing motorcycle?

8.  Areas behind and to the side of you that you  8. What are blind spots?

cannot see in your rear view mirror.

9. Persons riding motorcycles without electric        9. What are hand signals?

turn signals must use these.

10. These vehicles are small, offer no protection to    10. What are sport motorcycles?

riders, and can accelerate from zero to 60

mph in less than three seconds.

11. Hills and curves that you cannot see past to        11. What are blind hills and blind curves?

determine if your traffic lane is clear or blocked.

12. The least visible motor vehicle on the road.     12. What are motorcycles?

13. One of the most difficult speeds to judge.  13. What is the speed of an oncoming

                                                               motorcycle?

14. The distance between your vehicle and a        14. What is following distance?

vehicle in front of you.

15. Headlights and reflective or white clothing       15. What are things that make a rider more visible?

16. Road conditions that are especially dangerous                             16.What are potholes, oil, and debris?

to motorcycles.

    Activity 1

Q. What is a cushion of space?

Q. What are May, June, July and August?

Q. What is an approved helmet?

Q. What are sport motorcycles?

Q. What are hand signals?

Q. What are motorcycles?

Q. What is following distance?

Q. What is reaction time?

Q. What is the speed on an oncoming motorcycle?

Q. What are blind spots?

Q. What is being conspicuous?

Q. What are blind hills & blind curves?

Q. What is braking distance?

Q. What is turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle?

Q. What are potholes, oil & debris?

Q. What are things that make a rider more visible?

Activity 2

“Grab Bag”ime:15 minutes

Duplicate the following “What if…?” situations and cut on the dotted lines.  Place the paper strips in a bag.  Next, an individual or group of students:

• “grabs” a strip from the bag,
• reads the situation and the possible solutions to the class, and
• defends one or more of the multiple-choice situations.

Use the answer key below these questions to check responses and spark discussion.

Activity 2

Key to Grab Bag

1. You are about to make a left turn at an intersection when you see a motorcycle coming towards you in the other lane.  What should you do?

 B.  Wait until the motorcycle passes – it may reach the intersection sooner than you think.

Remember, a motorcycle’s smaller silhouette can cause an optical illusion in which the motorcycle appears further away than you think.

2. You are riding a motorcycle in the right lane of a multi-lane highway and a truck is coming into your lane from a merge lane to your right.  There is traffic to your left.  It looks like you and the truck may collide.  What should you do?

B.  Create a cushion of space between you and the truck by either accelerating or decelerating.

Don’t depend on other drivers to act as you think they should.  Take action by putting yourself in a safe position..

3. You are driving on a multi-lane highway.  A motorcycle is in the lane next to you, about 10 feet ahead of you.  What should you do?

 B. Move out of the motorcyclist’s blind spot by decelerating or accelerating.

If the motorcyclist decides to change into your lane, the rider may not see you until it is too late.

4. You and your friends are arguing which age group of motorcyclists is most likely to be involved in crashes.  The age group you choose is:

B. 21 to 25 year olds

In 1993, this age group had the most injuries and fatalities as a result of motorcycle collisions in Virginia.

5. You are riding a motorcycle and someone is tailgating you.  What should you do?

C. Change lanes, if possible, and let the tailgater go by.

Don’t depend on other drivers to act as you think they should.  Take action by putting yourself in a safe position.

6. You are in traffic.  The motorcycle ahead of you is methodically moving from one side of the lane to the other.  What should you do?

A. Maintain your position.

The motorcyclist is moving this way for two reasons:  1) By changing positions within the lane, a motorcyclists can better see what’s ahead of him; 2)  This movement also makes the rider more visible to cars around him.

7. You are following a motorcycle in traffic when you notice a number of potholes and litter ahead of the motorcyclist.  Your following distance is about one second. What should you do?

A. Increase your following distance.

You are too close to begin with!  Stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle (four seconds during rainy or icy weather.  In addition, the obstacles ahead may cause the motorcyclist to ride erratically or even crash.  Increase your following distance to avoid any hazards that may occur (like running over a downed rider).

8. Your friend invites you to be a passenger on his new motorcycle.  He starts up the

bike and is wearing shorts, a tank top, sneakers and a small, thin helmet that only covers the top of his head.  he tells you to get on and not worry about a helmet – passengers don’t need helmets in Virginia. What should you do?

B. Politely tell him, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

This situation has all the characteristics of a crash waiting to happen.  By looking at the clothes and helmet he’s wearing, you can tell he either doesn’t know about protective gear or doesn’t care about his safety (and, therefore, probably doesn’t care about your safety).  He’s also dead wrong about passengers and helmets:  all passengers must wear an approved helmet when on the back of a motorcycle in Virginia.

9. You are shopping for a motorcycle helmet.  A friend says he has a full face helmet that he doesn’t want any more.  He says he’ll sell it to you for $30.  What should you do?

A. Say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” and buy a new one instead.

Never buy a used helmet.  Even if it appears to be in good condition, there may be unseen damage done by a previous collision.  It’s best to buy a new helmet that you know has been tested and approved by the manufacturer.

10. A friend of yours says he wants to give you a ride on his new motorcycle. He has a license to drive a car and says he’ll be getting his motorcycle license soon.  What should you do?

B. Say, “Thanks, but not thanks.”

If you want to be a passenger, ride only with properly licensed riders who have a year or more experience. Riding with anyone else can be hazardous to your health.  If you want to operate a motorcycle, get a motorcycle license.

Earning a license means that you possess certain basic riding skills that could save your life in an emergency.  Over half of all motorcyclists killed on the road are not properly licensed (i.e., some have only licenses to drive a car, others have no license at all).

Activity 3

Motorcycle Awareness Video

1^st Section: 8 minutes

2^nd Section: 10 minutes

Worksheet:  5 minutes

Use the “Motorcycle Awareness video” to visually demonstrate how cars and motorcycles can share the road safely.  If your school does not have audio visual equipment available, proceed to the next exercise.

This video has two sections.  The first section, called “Cars, Motorcycles and a Common Road” (8 minutes), demonstrates how to avoid the sometimes dangerous relationships between cars and motorcycles on the road.

The second section, called “Special Riding Situations” (10 minutes), is a humorous and informative view of road hazards unique to motorcyclists.

An activity worksheet is available on p.11 to use as a follow up to the “Common Road” video (this can be a take-home assignment).

Answer Key to “Common Road” Worksheet:

1. Encourage students to read their responses to this question aloud.  This should spark a discussion about stereotypes surrounding motorcyclists.

2. D

3. D

4. B

5. C

 6. D

7. D

8. A

9. C

10. B

Worksheet

“Cars, Motorcycles and a Common Road”

 1. When you first think of a motorcyclist, what is the first impression that comes to your mind?

2. Why is it important to treat motorcyclists with respect and give them space on the road?

1. A motorcyclist is much more vulnerable to injury or death in a collision.
2. Motorcyclists have the same rights on the highway as motorists.
3. The motorcyclist could be your next door neighbor.
4. All of the above.

3. What is the most common collision between cars and motorcycles?

1. When a car backs out of a driveway into the motorcycle’s path.
2. When a car changes lanes and broadsides the motorcyclist.
3. When the motorcyclist is rear-ended by a car.
4. When a car turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle.

4. Motorcycles are smaller than cars.  This makes them:

1. Faster.
2. More difficult to see.
3. Harder to control.
4. Less stable.

5. How many times should you check for motorcycles or other traffic before proceeding through an intersection?

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4 or more times.

6. What portion of a lane will a motorcyclist ride in most of the time?

1. Left side of the lane.
2. Right side of the lane.
3. Center of the lane.
4. Depends on the traffic situation.

7. Why do motorcyclists change lane positions?

1. To get a better view of oncoming traffic.
2. To attract attention.
3. To avoid an obstacle in the road.
4. All of the above.

Worksheet

8. What should you do when being passed by a motorcyclist?

1. Maintain speed and lane position until the motorcyclist has passed.
2. Speed up so that the motorcyclist can pull in behind you.
3. Change lanes in order to give the motorcyclist more space.
4. None of the above.

9. You see a motorcycle with its turn signal flashing.  You should:

1. Assume the motorcyclist will be making a turn.
2. Proceed so that the motorcyclist can make his or her move.
3. Wait until the motorcyclist’s intention is clear before proceeding.
4. All of the above.

10.  When following a motorcyclist, what is the minimum safe distance that should be maintained between your vehicle and the motorcycle?

1. 20 feet.
2. 2 seconds.
3. 2 car lengths.
4. 2 yards.

 Activity 4

Role Playing Time: 15 minutes

The video “Cars, Motorcycles and a Common Road” effectively demonstrates how to avoid the sometimes dangerous relationships between cars and motorcycles on the road.  If audio-visual equipment is not available, you can use role playing in your classroom to convey much of the same information contained in the video.

Role playing gives the human touch to both motorcycling and driving a car.  All you need are students who are willing to pretend they are operating motorcycles or automobiles and enough space so they can walk around the edge of the classroom or in a gymnasium.

Use the following as a script or guide.

]= automobile

.=motorcycle

Exercise 1:  Humanizing Motorcycles and Automobiles

Instructor:  “We need two volunteers for this demonstration.  I need one person to be a motorcyclist and one person to be a car driver.  (Choose two students and invite them to the front of the class.) O. K., Boggy, pretend you are riding a motorcycle by walking at a moderate pace around the classroom (Figure 1A).  Whisper to both students so that the rest of the class can’t hear you:  Scott, you catch up to Bobby and gently muscle him out of your way (Figure 1B) and continue around the room (Figure 1C).  Bobby, let him do this and be sure to look annoyed.”

Bobby and Scott do as they are told. “What’s going on here?  What did you use?”  (Get students to give their opinions. The ideal answers will address the rudeness of the automobile driver.) That’s right, no one except a very rude person would do what I told Scott to do, yet sometimes cars inadvertently force motorcycles out of their lane or off the road.  One of the main reasons this happens is because cars sometimes don’t see motorcycles.  Motorcycles have a smaller profile, making them more difficult to spot and judge their speed.” “It’s important to note that creating motorcycle awareness in automobile drivers depends on both automobile drivers and motorcyclists.  Drivers should be on the look out for motorcycles and anticipate their moves.  On the other hand, motorcyclists can be more visible if they wear reflective clothing and stickers, use their headlights during the daytime and position themselves in their lane so they can be easily seen.”

Activity 4

Exercise 2:  Car Turning in Front of Motorcycle

Instructor:  “I’ll need two more volunteers for another demonstration on how cars sometimes don’t see motorcycles.  Sarah, I want you to pretend you are riding a motorcycle going this way (point to your right.  Figure 2A).  And Jack, pretend you are driving a car coming toward her on the same road (Figure 2A). Whisper to Jack:  Jack, I want you to turn left when you’re about four feet in front of Sarah (Figure 2 B).  Alright, both of you, head on down the road.” When Jack turns, he and Sarah either collide or nearly collide (Figure 2C). “What happened here? How would you describe what just happened?”  (Get a few responses from students.) “Approximately 30 percent of collisions involving automobiles and motorcycles occur when the automobile turns in front of the motorcycle.  Because of the motorcycle’s small profile, it is sometimes difficult for motorists to accurately judge the speed of the smaller vehicle and avoid a collision when turning in front of one.  It’s also important to note that motorcycles can be hidden by cars, signs and other distractions.”

Exercise 3:  Car Tailgating Motorcycle

Instructor:  “Let’s have two volunteers, please.  Randy, I want you to pretend you’re the motorcyclist.  Paul, you’re the automobile driver.  Randy, Start cruising around the edge of the room.  Whisper to Paul:  “Paul, let Randy go first, but then catch up to him and stay about a foot behind him.” “Okay guys, go ahead.”  (Paul tailgates Randy for awhile. Figure 3A) “What’s going on here?  How could this be avoided?”  (Get a few responses from students.) “As you can see, tailgating is an unsafe practice (Figure 3B). When a motorcyclist is being tailgated, the distraction from behind affects his focus on what is in front of him.  When that happens, his ability to avoid potential collisions in front of him decreases greatly.”

“The best way to avoid tailgating a motorcycle (or any vehicle) is to follow the two-second rule (Figure 3C).  The two-second rule works like this:  Find a fixed point in the distance ¾ a sign, for instance.  When the vehicle in front of you passes this sign, count one-one thousand, you’re following too closely.

This rule works at any speed ¾ even when walking.  During rainy or icy weather, increase your following distance to four seconds.  Randy and Paul, try this rule while walking around the classroom.”  (Paul and Randy demonstrate the two-second rule.)

Activity 5

Ad Campaign Take Home Assignment

This exercise can be done in class or at home.  You may want to coordinate with your school’s art department for materials and design tips.  In addition, some helpful tips on making posters, and bumper stickers are available in the Materials Section.  Encourage your class to work as individuals or in groups.  Choose any of the following promotional formats to raise motorcycle awareness in your school:

·Design a poster (see Materials Section for helpful hints).

.Compose a rap song.

.Create a 30 second public service announcement (PSA) for radio or TV.

·Design a flyer for distribution to the local community (see Materials Section for ideas).

· Make a bumper sticker to increase public awareness.

·Create a bookmark.

·Create designs for billboards to be displayed within the classroom and hallways.

Activity 6

Word Scramble Time:  5 minutes

Use this word scramble to help students learn key motorcycle awareness words and phrases.

You can use the word scramble exercise as a handout (for class or homework).

Answer Key:

1. blind hills

2. following distance

3. blind spot

4. helmet

5. braking distance

6. conspicuous

7. hand signals

8. motorcycles

9. potholes, oil and debris

10. reflective clothing

11. reaction time

12. turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle

13. protective gear

14. blind curve

15. cushion of space

Word Scramble

Unscramble these motorcycle awareness words and phases.

1. nidbl llsih            ____________   ____________

2. wfoolgnil stndiace  ____________   ____________

3. libnd opts        ____________   ____________

4. lmehet     ____________

5. kibrnga tsidcane ____________   ____________

6. spuccnsiou  ____________   ____________

7. dnah gnsials  ___________   ____________

8. rootemcclsy  ____________   ____________

9. olepthos, loi dna sribde____________   _____   _____   ____________

10.  freveeltci gchtonli____________   ____________

11. noicaret mite  ____________   ___________

12. runtnig telf in tonf fo na mocnogni rootemccly

 13. teprovietc ager  ____________   ____________

14. libnd revuc  ____________   ____________

15. noihucs fo capse  ____________   ____________

Activity 7

Guest Speaker         

Time: Negotiable

The Virginia Rider Training Program (VRTP) has over 100 motorcycle safety instructors available as guest speakers in your classroom.  Please contact VRTP Program Manager Bruce Biondo at (804) 367-1813 to schedule a speaker in your area.

Activity 8

“Win, Lose, or Draw”  Time:  Negotiable

Duplicate the vocabulary list on page 20 (not included here but found in the Motorcycle Resource Guide) and cut on the dotted lines.  Divide the class into two teams.  A student from one of the teams:

• randomly selects a slip of paper
• has 30 – 60 seconds to sketch the word or phrase on the blackboard
• may not use letters or numbers.
• earns a point for the team if a team member correctly states the word that was represented.

Note:  Teachers may want to limit the game by choosing certain words from the list.  It is also a good idea to reserve one or two words to use as tie breakers.

Vocabulary List

Alert

Awareness

Black

Blind curve

Boots

Bright clothing

Drugs and alcohol

Helmet

Gloves

Gravel

Headlight

Intersection

License

Signal

Tailgating

Turning

Activity 8

Summary

Time:  5 minutes

Unlike cars with safety belts, air bags and surrounding steel, motorcycles offer no crash protection to their riders.  When compared to car drivers, motorcyclists are 20 times more likely to die in the event of a crash.  For this reason alone, it is extremely important for automobile drivers to keep the following points in mind:

1. Watch for Motorcyclists

In the majority of crashes involving motorcycles and automobiles, the other driver didn’t see the motorcycle until it was too late.  Most motorists are trained to look for vehicles with four wheels --- they don’t expect to see motorcycles.  A motorcycle’s small size also makes it hard to see.  Expect motorcycles to be on the road, especially during the warmer months.

2. Anticipate the Motorcyclist’s Movements

A motorcycle needs an entire lane to adjust to traffic situations and road conditions. A small amount of road debris can be a major hazard for a motorcyclist. Expect motorcyclists to make sudden moves within a traffic lane.

3. Yield to Motorcyclists

Before pulling out into traffic, check three or more time for motorcycles and be very careful before you pull out in front of one. The small size of a motorcycle can create an optical illusion in which you can misjudge the motorcycle’s speed and distance.  About one-third of the crashes between motorcycles and automobiles are caused by an automobile turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle.

4. Check Your Blind Spots

Because motorcycles are small, they can slip into your blind spot very easily.  Always check for motorcycles before you pull out, turn, or change lanes.

5. Maintain a Safe Following Distance

Never tailgate a motorcycle or any other vehicle.  Give yourself plenty of braking distance by maintaining at least a two-second following distance between your vehicle and the motorcycle in front of you.  In bad weather, double your following distance.

The Virginia Rider Training Program (VRTP) has over 100 motorcycle safety instructors available as guest speakers in your classroom.  Please contact VRTP Program Manager Bruce Biondo at (804) 367-1813 to schedule a speaker in your area.

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