When entering a turn, a rider should:
Answers
Speed up.
Reduce their speed.
Move their shoulders to match the angle of the turn.
Sit up as high as possible
.The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is “Reduce their speed.”
When entering a turn, a rider should reduce their speed to maintain control and safety. This is particularly important for a few reasons:
- Better Stability: Reducing speed helps maintain stability throughout the turn. If a rider enters a turn too quickly, the forces acting on the bike (centripetal forces) can overwhelm the rider’s ability to control it, leading to a loss of traction or control. Slowing down before the turn allows the rider to handle the bike more smoothly through the curve.
- Handling and Traction: When the rider slows down, the tires maintain better contact with the road. If a rider takes a turn at high speed, the tires may lose grip, especially if the road is slippery or uneven. This can lead to dangerous situations, such as a slide or fall.
- Reaction Time: Reducing speed increases the rider’s ability to react to unexpected obstacles or changes in the road. It gives the rider more time to adjust their line or speed as necessary during the turn.
- Safety Margin: Slowing down increases the rider’s safety margin, providing more space in case of an emergency situation. Whether it’s avoiding debris or responding to the behavior of other vehicles, a slower speed gives the rider more control over their actions.
Other options are not as effective for safe turning:
- Speed up is dangerous, as it increases the risk of losing control.
- Moving the shoulders to match the angle of the turn can help with body positioning, but it’s secondary to slowing down.
- Sitting up as high as possible may reduce the rider’s ability to lean into the turn effectively and control the bike properly.