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Question

Difficulty: MediumMotorcycles

While driving in an urban area with tram tracks embedded in the carriageway, you are travelling behind a motorcyclist. Why might the rider steer across the rails at a right angle rather than riding parallel to them?

  1. A
    To encourage following traffic to overtake them within the same lane
  2. To prevent their tyres from slipping on the metal rails or becoming trapped in the groovesAnswer
  3. C
    To maintain maximum acceleration while passing through the tram corridor
  4. D
    To test tyre grip by braking firmly on the metal track surface

Answer

To prevent their tyres from slipping on the metal rails or becoming trapped in the grooves
Metal tram rails and railway tracks present a severe hazard to motorcyclists because the smooth metal surface offers poor grip, especially in damp conditions, and the recessed grooves can trap narrow motorcycle wheels. Crossing the tracks at as close to a right angle as possible reduces contact time with the metal and prevents the tyre from dropping into the groove.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the physical hazard presented by embedded tram rails to narrow, two-wheeled vehicles.
Metal tracks have very low friction when wet or dry and feature longitudinal flangeway grooves capable of catching narrow motorcycle tyres.
Two-wheeled vehicles depend on continuous tyre adhesion and balance to maintain stability.
2
Evaluate the safest riding line for crossing longitudinal road hazards.
Steering across the rails at as close to a right angle (90 degrees) as possible ensures the tyres cross the gap and metal surface cleanly without sliding along it.
Crossing at a shallow angle increases the contact time along the slippery rail edge and allows the tyre to fall into the track groove.
3
Determine the driver's required response when following a motorcyclist in this situation.
Anticipate the rider's change in road positioning and maintain a generous following distance.
The driver must give the motorcyclist sufficient space to manoeuvre safely without pressure from behind.

Key Concept

Motorcycle stability over slippery surfaces and track hazards
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Motorcycles

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