| 50cc mopeds are quite often the first bikes that | | | | to encounter faster moving vehicles speeding into that |
| teenagers buy and because of this, they are often | | | | blind spot without you seeing them, especially if you |
| more prone to accidents. If you are a new rider, please | | | | are not in the habit of checking your mirrors! |
| read this article on the basics of riding style and avoid | | | | Hazards |
| becoming one of the accident statistics. | | | | One of the nice things about 50cc mopeds is that, |
| Mirrors | | | | because they can't go as fast as, say 125cc mopeds, |
| Use them. It may come as a surprise to you if you are | | | | you have more time and more chance to assess |
| new to this, but you need to check your mirrors about | | | | developing hazards. The hazard perception test is now |
| every five seconds. This is because five seconds is | | | | a part of the bike test in the UK (in case you didn't |
| long enough for a thundering truck or coach to bear | | | | know, dear learner-rider), so if you've just passed your |
| down on you from behind. Because 50cc mopeds are | | | | CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) and you're on the |
| noisier than many bigger bikes, you are unlikely to hear | | | | road, then you need to practice your hazard |
| the vehicle approaching and the first you will know | | | | perception skills, not just for your test but for your own |
| about it is when it thunders past about six inches from | | | | good. Watch out for things on the road ahead that are |
| your tottering moped. As well as the five-second | | | | moving, or that could move, in such a way that could |
| checks, also do extra mirror checks when you are | | | | be a hazard to you. For example, a car waiting to pull |
| about to commence a maneuver such as turning, | | | | out. Has the driver seen you? Are you SURE? Will |
| changing position on the road, stopping and setting off. | | | | that child running towards the zebra crossing continue |
| The "Life Saver" | | | | running right across it just as you reach it? It's all about |
| This is a glance over the shoulder into the blind spot | | | | being aware of potential danger; things that MAY |
| where the mirror cannot see. You need to do a life | | | | happen. |
| saver whenever you are about to change direction, | | | | This is but a quick overview of hazard perception for |
| stop or set off, just after the mirror check and | | | | riders of 50cc mopeds. You will need to know a lot |
| signaling, and before the actual maneuver. This is | | | | more than this in order to stay safe if you are new to |
| especially relevant to 50cc mopeds because, with | | | | riding. |
| your speed limited to 50kph, you are much more likely | | | | |