Читать книгу Street Rider's Guide - David L. Hough - Страница 6

Arrow Slides

Some of those arrows on the surface can be as slick as ice.

You’re on a trip to a different state to visit a friend, and today you’re trying to navigate through a confusing neighborhood to find the correct side street. It’s not raining at the moment, but the streets are damp. There are some white arrows on the surface, and you momentarily panic that you might be in the wrong lane to go straight. But now you realize the arrows allow you to go straight, so you ignore them. When the light turns green, you attempt to accelerate, but when your rear tire rolls onto the last arrow, it suddenly steps sideways. You’re barely able to keep the bike under control and avoid sideswiping the car on your left, but the close call really got your attention, and you now realize those white arrows are very slick.

Different states and different road maintenance departments use different techniques for applying lane markings. Depending on the state and city, some of those white arrows and lines you encounter may be smooth plastic glued to the surface, rather than paint. The smooth plastic is relatively slippery even when dry, but just a little moisture can make them as slippery as ice.

It’s always a good tactic to avoid riding over any white surface markings. If you must cross, select a line that carries you over the narrowest portion of the marking. And when accelerating over a potentially slick marking, it’s smart to go easy on the throttle until you’re past the hazard. Note that in this city, the crosswalks are marked with parallel lines, allowing you to put your tires between the lines for better traction.

When braking to a stop, temporarily ease off the brakes until your tires are clear of the potentially slick markings. It’s also smart to stop short of any surface markings.

Not all states or cities use slick plastic surface markings, but when you’re in an unfamiliar area, it’s best to assume they are slick until proven otherwise.