In two years, you've seen a lot of it. I teach young riders, 3 sons, a grandson, and a young girl so far without incident. I teach what they never see in a manual.
Here is some of it.
1. There is no such thing as the right of way. You lose all collisions.
2. I ride traffic instead of the lights and signs. People run lights all the time. See previous rule.
3. The front brake is used at ALL stopping with the exception of traction problems, such as sand in the intersection. (I live in Iowa). When you really need to stop fast, the front brake must be automatic in your reflex, and no, you won't think that fast.
4. Front brake is covered and eyes are on full alert anytime a vehicle is approaching you, or you them, at a right angle. I don't care if it looks 100% parked. Sooner or later someone (and you won't believe it when it happens) is going to pull out in front of you.
5. Same with oncoming traffic. I expect every car to suddenly turn in front of me, because the day is coming when one will. If you have the sun at your back, it is on the windshield of the cars from the other direction. And it takes only a glimmer to block his vision of you. "I didn't see him" is a common excuse, and it was true.
6. Not everyone is turning. When you are sliding by a line of cars because someone is trying to turn left, a car in that line is going to pull out into your lane so as not to have to wait.
7. You better be on your best guard, because everyone else is on a cell phone, playing with the radio, yelling at the kid in the back seat....you get the idea.
8. Never, ever pull up close to the car stopped in front of you. The guy you are watching approach this stop in your mirror (you better be) may not stop. You need someplace to go.
9. Fully expect the guy in the next lane to switch into yours without looking. It happens all the time.
10. I tend to ride in the middle of the lane, but move to one side or the other when stopping at a light or sign. Thousands of cars have sat there, and some were invariably leaking oil or antifreeze. Not good.
11. A pet peeve of mine. Some guys prefer the middle of the lane, equal distance from left and right side danger. Some tend to hug center a bit more, as to increase reaction time from animals out of the ditches. Some like the right side as it increases spacing between you and the cars from opposite directions. I don't profess one to be more correct in the real world. However, on two lanes or four, when a car or especially a semi approaches from the rear to pass me, I get real close to that centerline. This forces him to use the OTHER lane to make the pass. As they go by I will slow slightly and pull back to the right to reduce the risk of some idiot pulling back in too quick. People who ride on the right side of their lane can certainly relay stories about being passed with the other vehicle right off the handlebar, and barely getting 2 wheels across the centerline.
12. Trust nobody, ever. Read this rule as many times as it takes to sink in. Don't trust turn signals, or even expect their use, or expect their brake lights to work. Zero trust. It's your blood, your bones, your pain, your face, and your ass that get tore up.
13. Sorry guys, even ONE BEER is too many.
14. I wear a helmet because I do not like the wind in my ears or bugs in my teeth. I wear full face because I hate the idea of jaw and dental reconstructive surgery. There are legitimate reasons why it may be less safe to wear one, such as hearing awareness, it is argued to death. I cap.
There are many more lessons that others can chime in with, or even debate somewhat what I have typed for reasons of their own. This is based on my experience at the age of 64 with over 40 years untouched. I think these are the primary ways to stay alive.
