Speeding is more than exceeding the speed limit

Firstly, remember that speeding is not just a matter of exceeding the speed limit and breaking the law.

In many situations, you could be going too fast even though you’re riding well below the speed limit.

Some riders would say that it’s alright to speed while traffic is light and road conditions are good.

However, it is worth noting that many speed-related motorcycle crashes happen in good conditions with no other vehicles involved.

You may be good at braking, but you need to take reaction time into account.

It takes three quarters of a second to make a decision to act once you see a hazard, and the same time again for the action to be effective.

This means a second and a half before you even start braking, and at 60 km/h, you will travel 25 metres in that time.

The lower the speed, the lower the risk.
Ride at a speed where you have time to react to unexpected hazards.

It is also worth remembering that cars can stop faster than motorcycles. Tailgating can easily result in a crash. It’s easy to think that speeding doesn’t matter... but it does.

Useful contacts

• Police and other emergency services: 000.
• Reporting road surface damage: 131 700.
• RTA customer service: 13 22 13 (8.30am - 5pm Mon-Fri and 8.30am - 2pm Sat).
• Rider training bookings: 13 22 13.
• NSW St John Ambulance: 1300 360 455.