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Motorcycle · Avoiding Hazards

What is 'lane positioning' and why does it matter for a motorcycle rider?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

The choice of where within a lane to ride — motorcyclists use left, center, or right lane position strategically to maximize visibility to other drivers, improve sight distance ahead, and create separation from specific hazards

  1. A Motorcycles may only ride in the center
  2. B The choice of where within a lane to ride — motorcyclists use left, center, or right lane position strategically to maximize visibility to other drivers, improve sight distance ahead, and create separation from specific hazards
  3. C Lane position is irrelevant for motorcycles
  4. D Where motorcycles must legally ride (always on the right side)

Why this is the answer

LANE POSITIONING is one of the most important motorcycle safety strategies. The lane has three usable positions:

Left third: increases visibility from oncoming traffic and left-side hazards; increases the driver's view ahead around left curves; appropriate when avoiding gravel or drain grates on the right.

Right third: appropriate when approaching intersections from the left side improves your visibility to cross-traffic.

Avoid the center: Oil, antifreeze, and fuel drop from vehicles and accumulate in the center strip — the center of the lane is the most contaminated area. Choose position based on: where you are most visible; what you can see ahead; what hazards are present; and what you want other drivers to be able to see about you.

Source: MSF Basic RiderCourse, Module 3, Lane Positioning

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About this topic: Avoiding Hazards

Avoiding hazards questions cover scanning (SEE: search, evaluate, execute), lane positioning, following distance, road-surface hazards, intersections and the blind spots of other vehicles. This is one of 13 Motorcycle questions on avoiding hazards, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our Motorcycle exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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