Alright, imagine this. You’re cruising down the main road, green light ahead, feeling like you own the street. You’re in the flow. Everything’s smooth. Then out of nowhere—BAM!—a car pulls out from behind a van, straight into your lane. You slam the brakes, heart pounding, barely avoiding disaster.
What just happened? You got blindsided by a visibility blocker. And let me tell you: if you don’t learn to deal with these, it’s not if you’ll crash—it’s when.
Let me explain how blockers work. Picture a van, truck, or even a kiosk parked near an intersection. It blocks your view, and it blocks the other driver’s view of you. These things are basically the road’s version of a sneak attack. You’re riding along, trusting everything’s fine, but the second you’re near a blocker, you’re rolling dice with your safety.
Now, here’s the thing. Most riders—especially newbies—don’t adjust. They think, “I’ve got the green light. I’m good.” But guess what? That driver pulling out behind the van? He doesn’t see you. He doesn’t care about your green light. And if you’re not ready for it, you’re toast.
Blockers create blind spots—not just for you but for everyone else on the road. A car, a truck, even the sun in your eyes. If something hides a potential hazard, it’s a blocker. And here’s the kicker: if you’re next to a blocker, you’re sitting in the danger zone.
This isn’t just about avoiding danger. It’s about managing the “orange zone”—that heightened risk area where accidents love to happen. And let’s be real: in a crash between you and a car, you know who’s walking away fine. It’s not you.
Alright, so what do you actually do? Here’s the playbook:
- Anticipate Danger.
If there’s a blocker nearby, assume there’s something hiding behind it—a car, a person, or even a cat. Always expect the worst. - Slow Down.
Ease off the throttle and prepare to brake. The faster you’re going, the less time you have to react. - Create Space.
Give yourself distance from the blocker. The more room you have, the more time you have to avoid danger. - Adjust Your Position.
Move to a spot where you can see around the blocker. If it’s on the left, shift right. If it’s on the right, shift left. - Look Over or Around.
Stand on your pegs for a better view. The higher your perspective, the better your chances of spotting danger.
Here’s the deal: you don’t get extra points for looking cool. If standing up on your bike keeps you alive, do it. Period.
New riders? They screw this up all the time. They ride at a steady speed, ignore the blocker, and then act surprised when a car or pedestrian suddenly appears. By the time they react, it’s already too late. Don’t be that rider.
You have to approach intersections like a chess match. Every piece on the board—the cars, pedestrians, blockers—is a potential threat. Your job isn’t to “win” the intersection; it’s to make it out alive. Play defensive. Play smart.
Look, riding is a blast. But it’s only fun if you’re still alive to enjoy it. Blockers are everywhere, and they’re not going away. The good news? With a little awareness and strategy, you can ride around them like a pro.
So next time you’re on the road and spot a blocker, don’t just ride through it. Adjust, anticipate, and outthink the danger. Because the best riders? They’re not just skilled—they’re prepared.
MidJourney Prompt
“Bold comic-style illustration of a motorcycle rider navigating around a large truck acting as a visibility blocker. The rider stands on the pegs, peering over the truck, with vibrant lines showing awareness of hidden dangers. Perspective highlights the contrast between the safe zone and the danger zone behind the blocker.”
- What is a visibility blocker?
Anything that obstructs your view, like vans, trucks, or even bright sunlight. - Why are blockers dangerous?
They hide hazards like cars or pedestrians, creating surprise risks. - How can motorcyclists spot visibility blockers?
Look for large objects near intersections or blind spots in traffic. - What’s the best way to deal with a blocker?
Adjust your speed, position, and always anticipate hidden dangers. - Why do novice riders struggle with blockers?
They fail to anticipate risks and often ride at steady speeds without adjusting. - How can standing on the pegs help?
It gives you a better view over or around blockers. - What’s the “orange zone” near blockers?
It’s the high-risk area where hidden hazards are most likely to appear. - Why is positioning important near blockers?
A better position increases visibility and reaction time. - What mindset should riders adopt near blockers?
Always expect the worst and stay ready to react. - How can avoiding blockers make you a safer rider?
It reduces surprises, giving you more time to prevent accidents.