Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: merging, route choices, loose grip

Question
I was wondering the safest method for coming off a merge and there is a ledge between the exit road and the highway? Like the highway is about 1" higher than the exit.

Answer
With any surface change, it's best to approach it at as close to a 90-degree angle as possible. In a merging situation, this is rarely possible or advisable.

Most DOTs make great efforts to ensure there are no edge traps on the road because of the danger they pose to two-wheeled vehicles. If you continue to encounter these "ledges," it is important that you contact them and ask them to correct it immediately. They may not do so, they may give you a song and dance about how 1" isn't a risk to any vehicle (which may be the case!) but you have to at least let them know your concerns.

That said, let's look at ways to ride these ledges and look at ways to merge.

First off, if you're not comfortable riding your bike over this ledge, don't use that merge ramp. Find another that doesn't have a ledge and use that one. There are almost always alternate route choices if you really think about it. Choose the safest route to your destination whenever you can, avoiding pitfalls that you know you'll encounter.

Generally, one inch isn't going to make you crash. A secret to "absorbing" pavement irregularities such as this is to keep a loose grip on the handlebars, relaxed arms, shoulders, elbows, and hands--hold on to the bike with your legs instead. This will allow the bike's suspension to more smoothly absorb the bump.

Merging is a tricksy situation--you've got one vein of traffic trying to blend with another going a different direction. There is great potential for conflict. My advice for the safest merge possible is to pick your spot as early as possible: identify the space in traffic you want to occupy, and adjust your speed well in advance to hit your mark and blend smoothly with traffic. Create space around your motorcycle in front (and back, if possible) so you're not trying to merge two or more vehicles at a time. (People rarely do this, there's way too much tailgating on ramps!) Lastly, use a technique I call the "soft lane change." Instead of "barging" into traffic, ease into it as much as possible by entering your new lane of travel as far to the right as possible, remaining there for at least a few seconds to allow other road users to accommodate you.

I discuss choosing your route and merging and the soft lane change in my book "Ride Hard, Ride Smart," if you'd like to see them in greater detail.

Pat