Motorcycling Observations #4 | Own Your Mistakes

Don't ever be worried about mistakes you make. accept them, analyse them and learn from them.
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[@farnsfield]

As a biker I think you have owned your inexperience. Just because you’re on a bike, there is a time to filter and a time to queue. Filtering is best done when traffic is very slow both ways or with wider carageway opportunities. Filtering is definitely legal but the risk factor is massively increased and you really need to know what you’re doing. I’ve been riding for over 40 years

[@laceandwhisky]

Bit of advice ash, when filtering and you need to edge in as traffic coming the otherway maybe road not wide enough use the between front a vehicle and rear of a vehicle rather than sat alongside a van. A definate statement what you are doing, also when you do pull in to stop and to stop the driver of the vehicle going karen just nod or hand up to say thanks😊 make them feel good and helps with your safety 😊 48 years riding bikes 😊

[@ashley_neal]

This is the type of comment I was hoping for! Many thanks 👍

[@smilerbob]

If I am in a queue of traffic in my car with many vehicles behind I try to leave a bigger gap to the vehicle in front to the standard “nudging gap” so any filtering riders (motorised or other) have a safe spot to head into should traffic appear the opposite direction. It is usually appreciated by all

[@GavinHitchens]

As a car driver I do enjoy the little nod

[@redtela]

OK, so I'm going to be super critical - and its easy enough for me to be a back seat driver with the benefit of hindsight and the rewind button... but I genuinely do this with my own riding anyway. Firstly, kudos for the attitude of "own it, learn from it." 0:54 - road markings indicate you should move left, and you start following the van in front a little too close for comfort (what if, in an extreme situation, he hits reverse and drops his gearbox on the floor, stopping dead in your tracks?). I also didn't see any sign of a lifesaver check over your left shoulder (is the camera mounted to your chest?) - mirrors only do so much, even if you check them religiously. 1:00 - is he turning? Maybe, or maybe he's more switched on and has seen the blue flashing lights behind - how much did you use the mirrors when merging left behind the van? ;) Right as you say "is he turning?" just before you move right, we can hear the siren. Did you check right to make sure you were good to move right around the van? That whole situation started at least 6-10 seconds before you took evasive action from the van and simply cascaded. After the ambulance passes, its clear your camera is on your head, and I can see you doing mirror checks more frequently - little late to start moving the head around after it's happened, but hey, you started moving your head :) - and yes, my mirrors are positioned so that I can use them without moving my head... but I see more if I move my head, compared to my eyes alone. "No excuses, just couldn't hear him" - the van driver (probably with his radio on, inside the noisy van) saw what was coming - he didn't need to hear it. Filtering, 15mph or so through hashed markings - no issue... but the long box where you ended up forcing the VW to modify his intended path (and you had a pedestrian to deal with) was a little cheeky. That "pocket" after filtering towards an oncoming truck - no sir! You're far too far out to the right. Should have tucked in behind the white van (if not earlier than that). I find adding a left indicator tells oncoming that I'm surrendering position, and tells those on the left that I want in. No part of man or machine should be over the center line (including mirrors). Fair play on picking up on yourself about the mirrors, while riding the bike.

[@redtela]

I love that you go on to say you do sufficient lifesavers - certainly NOT the case, peripheral vision or not, with the ambulance!

[@PedroConejo1939]

I seem to find myself in the position of the van at 1:00 quite often. I will have seen the ESV and pulled over in a safe place only for a couple of vehicles behind to pull out and pass me, presumably because they haven't seen it. I can't change that, but if someone pulls over in front of me, looking for blue lights is part of my response. As you correctly say, giving yourself room to make that assessment is key. If you're in the process of passing already, all you can do is complete and then pull over. I think I'm hypersensitive to blue lights and sirens because we get so many hereabouts.

[@smilerbob]

The best ones are when everyone stops and then one will go to overtake everyone just as the ESV is coming passed them 🤦‍♂️ Same as yourself, I am hyper sensitive to any form of blue light in the distance or anything remotely sounding like a siren due to close proximity of the local police station and A&E department

[@steve00alt70]

Some cars waiting in ques for a while may suddenly swing out to do an illegal U turn to turn around which can be a hazard for motorcyclists/cyclist

[@MrTaffynoel]

Surprised there’s so much negativity around the ambulance from within the comments. It’s 10 seconds from his very slight shift wide to overtake, and the ambulance passing. 10 seconds later look how far down the road it is. He was never too close to the van, and I’m sure he had enough situational awareness and observations to pass as he did. Though the filtering/overtaking using the right turn lane for oncoming traffic isn’t something I’d do…until there was no oncoming vehicle potentially wanting to use it.

[@whydoilivetoseethis]

I'm still on my CBT, but I would say as someone who rides for enjoyment primarily, as you are... I think if you find yourself making multiple mistakes you should make a mental effort to reset. After the ambulance and then the issue filtering I would have just sat it out in traffic for a while and reset the brain, remind myself for the mirror and shoulder checks.

[@johnflavin1602]

While filtering, watch out for other bikes also filtering. It caught me out once as I was filtering slowly when a bike flew past me. Learned my lesson.

[@groundcontrolto]

I do use my dashcam to analyse my driving from time to time. Very useful to be able to look back at your own mistakes.

[@mikgold]

Returning to motorcycling from 25 years off, I am finding this a great resource for me. My test was in 1981 and I know I'm just an older idiot but I'm learning. Thanks Ash I drive in Edinburgh loads and often feel guilt at filtering and crossing hatchings. I now know if carefully done I'm ok. 👍

[@ashley_neal]

Don't take everything I do on a motorbike as gospel. I'm in a similar situation to yourself, I'm hoping with the expertise within my viewership these videos can make a difference. Please keep an eye on the comments to help.

[@mikgold]

@ashley_neal thanks yes I look at several bikers vids but it priceless to be able to view yourself and how your managing. Generally I think I do alright but never without room for improvement. I get numb fingers often. My commutes are 50 minutes in summer. More in the snow

[@80sGeek]

great video thank you 🙂

[@aps-pictures9335]

Oof 2:50 was dodgy - you’d have failed the test for that. That filter was a bit too eager and I don’t think you’d planned ahead where you could slip back in. Know you realised it, but for others benefit. 3:44 - not a good gap, you’ve chosen a large vehicle to sandwich an oncoming large vehicle… You’d have been better going in the gap in front of the van behind the pick-up. 4:55 - much better. 10:58 - Ironically this was my only minor on my bike test with a HGV, he had me for ‘hesitation’ because ‘the bike would have fit in the gap’ lol. Just do a proper shoulder check… not worth thinking you can use peripherals. Although accept it doesn’t show much on a chin cam! 23:24 - Not really any more protected than on the main bit - inattentive drivers still might not see you. You’ve so much more to think about on a bike when you first start, which creates cognitive overload and errors sneak in. All about the seat time and replaying your rides ideally! Good decisions when pointless to filter - loads of bikers like jumping to the front with no room and have to cross the line… for what, a few cars? Notice you should practice some more with your back braking at lights, seems a bit harsh still, but again is just saddle time. As for pins and needles, triple check you aren’t gripping too tight. Elbows should be loose, shoulders relaxed and neutral. If that’s okay, maybe look at adjusting the throw of your clutch/brake levers to be closer. Just take it easy when you’re testing afterwards! My own mistakes? I analyse the footage as soon as I’m back to see what happened, beat myself up severely if fault was with me, and learn learn learn. It comes for me from taking pride in my riding and roadcraft - always wanting to be better.

[@ashley_neal]

Great feedback! Thanks.

[@smilerbob]

Interesting point with the ambulance and the sometimes reliance upon sound for observation. The ambulance could be seen in the mirrors at 0:54 but did the merge and proximity of vehicles around you distract away from looking in the distance at the rear? I initially thought the van was keeping left to allow you to pass, I do it myself sometimes as progress is easier on two wheels than four but an additional check needed perhaps? What was the phrase my driving instructor said to me…Look twice, check thrice. In other words, check more than you look to see what could be missed No harm done here and a good learning point for all 👍

[@smilerbob]

And just got to the point in the video where you talk about the mirrors 👍

[@Gopher31]

Nice point about accepting mistakes. No one’s perfect! I still remember when you took out a car mirror sometime last April! 😂

[@tshepikhwy300]

@ 14:38 time lapse, shouldn't it be right indicator signal? I personally think so...

[@lombard71]

A warts 'n' all self assessment....we can all learn from these....good video, thanks for sharing.

[@weevilinabox]

Your "best pocket" might not have been alongside the van driver, but perhaps one vehicle further back, alongside finding you could see over. Being alongside the van means that it blocks nearly 180° of your view. It certainly did a good job of hiding the fella who trotted across the road at 3:51. If you do find yourself alongside a high-sided vehicle - either at a stop or keeping pace with it - I'd recommend an exaggerated move to the right when pulling away to give yourself a little space and to improve your sight angles around front of the taller vehicle. Also with remembering that the longer you're alongside such a vehicle, the more out of date is your mental map of a large chunk of your surroundings.

[@ItsAllJustBollox]

You are riding like a car driver forget using the mirrors to see what's next to you and turn your head and do life savers.

[@grahamnutt8958]

Perfection is impossible. The few minor mistakes weren't high risk by any means. The contrast between your Riding in comparison to the upload posted yesterday is a bit like Night and Day.

[@raymondbenjamins5884]

This is an interesting one. I think it shows perfectly that everyone makes mistakes, but that it's nothing to be ashamed of. Just fix them and reduce risk as much as you can. And try to reflect on it afterwards (maybe by pulling up your dashcam footage and analysing it). The most important thing is to own up to your mistakes. Only then can you learn from them. If you go around blaming everybody else (like so many people unfortunately do), you will keep getting into similar situations.

[@MrTaffynoel]

Worth considering a slight wiggle when you see a car that could potentially pull out from a side road. Studies have shown people can become blind to an object that isn’t moving across their vision, or fail to perceive you as a moving object. That wobbling light also changes intensity depending on where it points so extra useful at night.

[@MrTaffynoel]

Worth considering a slight wiggle when you see a car that could potentially pull out from a side road. Studies have shown people can become blind to an object that isn’t moving across their vision, or fail to perceive you as a moving object. That wobbling light also changes intensity depending on where it points so extra useful at night.

[@frogandspanner]

0:54 If that's a helmet-mounted camera then I'd have expected a left shoulder life-saver at the loss of lane, and not relying on the mirror. My 1966 bike did not come with mirrors or indicators (modern Japanese muck - not what a real man would want !) but as deference to age and less articulate neck joints I fitted a right handlebar-end mirror, but I always instinctively look over my shoulders as far as pain permits. As my first 12 years of motorised road use were mainly biking (I couldn't afford a car) this instinct usefully carried over into car driving. 2:51 I began biking in about '69, and never filter - although I will overtake on the opposite side of the road. I want the full width of lane to protect me from potential intrusion from the sides. For example, when meeting a junction from the left (me on the priority road) I move towards the centre line: this gives the reptilian brain of the joining driver a better chance of seeing me [I note a hint of that at 14:28]. If I continued straight ahead the component of my motion across the driver's eye would be tiny, and they might not notice me unless they were carefully checking. This became more obvious to me when I began flying, where if another aircraft to one's side is in the same relative position, but increasing in apparent size, there is potential involuntary convergence. A few years ago I was holidaying at a friend's villa in North Tenerife (Icod) eating a ham sandwich indoors. I saw a dot in the sky that remained in the same x-y position, but grew bigger. As it noticed the glass and shot steeply over the house I recognised it as a Canary Kestrel that had been after my sarni. 13:03 I am Amal retentive. Many people switched their British carbs to Japanese ones, but I kept my Monoblocs.

[@mikgold]

As an aside I'd wish to say I've had 2 punctures this year out of 4 years and I'm sure due to filtering in the less used portion of the roads(hatchings). I've a BMW 1250gsa which can cruise at 20 or less and stereotype comes as optional😊

[@chriswharrier3571]

I think learning is a continuous process for most things riding and driving included.

[@markukblackmore]

I think drivers who take very early action in response to emergency vehicles are increasing the risk of that situation. I used to like to… well the only description is “show off” to other road users how on the ball I was with looking back and seeing the blue lights. But came to realise it just created uncertainty and confusion. The point about a helmet blocking sound is a perfect example of why.

[@80sGeek]

Own Your Mistakes this is a must if you own a motorbike and survival on a motorbike. Believe i have made a few over the last 20 years. Practice practice the more practice.

[@smilerbob]

Owning mistakes is something many people, especially road users, struggle to do. All too often “it is the other persons fault” especially if “the insurance ruled in my favour” and “I followed all the rules properly” There are many times that mistakes happen and we all learn from them, that is life. But very few will learn, or perhaps I should say very few are willing to accept they had some responsibility in that mistake. Recently I pulled out of a junction when it wasn’t clear. Hands up, my mistake and I dealt with it. Thank you to the other driver making it a non event. Yesterday I mentioned about a motorcyclist going the wrong side of traffic lights, completely wrong and their riding was awful. Could I have done anything different to stop it? Yes I could as upon reviewing the camera footage I missed the left signal on the bike. Had I seen it, I would’ve created more space earlier for the rider One thing this channel, and this community, really helps with is improving our roadcraft. We all aren’t perfect as individuals but as a collective we can all become the best road users we can be and theckey part of that is saying, without shame or prejudice, “Hands up, I could’ve done better there”

[@80sGeek]

your right should have held back after the yellow box i would have. Minor mistake in my opinion. I always look for the defensive position

[@80sGeek]

The incident with the ambulance taking a left hand side position was the right thing to do i would have done the same. The ambulance driver was at fault he should have put his sirens on a lot sooner. so u could react better. Also there is car coming the other way So that ambulance should have held back. You couldn't handled that any better in my opinion. well done

[@mikeversys]

“ at heart I’m a little shit’ LOL on the beach in Bulgaria 😂😂😂 And no ye not. I ride all year round, for pleasure if you ever fancy a blast round north wales (I’m in Wirral ) Pop me a message.

[@KPP365]

Ashley. If you don't have to ride in bad weather. DON'T

[@thomaselliot2257]

If you're dishonest of owning your mistakes, a good way is to make out that they were deliberate mistakes.

[@smilerbob]

The driver in front at 5:28 doing their best to appear on Ash’s September Driving Fail video 😉

[@IfanRoberts]

Love this style of video, recently passed my test and this is really helpful

[@toxlaximus3297]

That's how my dad drives when he plays GTA.

[@80sGeek]

you stay safe too. look forward to next video

[@holdenman8850]

Thanks for the shout out Ash, when you said Gary lol :)

[@robpaultog]

Little 💩 at heart 😂😂😂

[@facelessvaper]

Does, looking to the distance as you mention in a car, transfer to bike? I tried it cycling and had mixed feelings with potholes and kerbside debris.

[@smilerbob]

It is the same when driving as we still need to avoid potholes, debris and near objects. I have always been taught to look into the distance and bring the focus close to see nearer objects, but don’t keep focus on the near and move back to the distance in bring close. It is usua between 1 and 2 second between distance and near before repeating 👍 Hard to explain over KZbin comments and perhaps a short video explaining might be needed, if Ashley hasn’t already done one

[@80sGeek]

I deal with my mistakes. I get hacked off with myself them anaylse and calm down then back to my normal smooth driving.

[@smilerbob]

Analysis is the only way we can learn and improve ourselves and only natural to be hacked off, we all strive to be the best we can and nobody likes to be told we have done something wrong, even from ourselves. Best advice I have been given is to not dwell on the mistakes but focus on what to do next time

[@johnflavin1602]

I think people forget that what you can see in bike mirrors is pathetic compared to the centre mirror and side mirrors of a car. I always notice the difference when I get back into the car having been on the bike. Much easier for me to spot an ambulance from behind in the car.

[@ashley_neal]

Agreed, but we can't use this as an excuse.👍

[@bumpkinrocks]

Good to see you've just started riding👍 I've been riding 30yrs now and enjoy every minute of it. I find driving is so boring, stuck in traffic 😂

[@ashley_neal]

I've had a licence for 25 years but haven't ridden for about 14.👍

[@alanchase7329]

Sorry, but once you are in the oncoming lane you are overtaking.

[@redtela]

Factually incorrect, but hey, thanks for playing.

[@ChrisCaaa]

2:53 So much going on, no human could process the whole situation. I find sometimes cars traveling under 15mph get ignored by our subconscious.

[@johnobiro5202]

I get pins and needles every time I ride Ash. I remember getting them when on my Test. I couldn’t feel to put the indicators on or off. Everytime I stopped at lights I’d put it in neutral and try and get the feeling back. Thankfully I passed. There is a product on line that I am going to try. It’s some kind of wrap you wear under your gloves. Costs about £28. I’ll let you know how they work out. I took my Bike test at St Helens.