56º North March 2018 | Page 10

Is Braking A Natural Skill?

Braking, as with any riding skill, is a learned skill, not a natural one. This means you must practice the correct braking skills enough to make them an instinctive reaction before you can be sure that you will do the right things in an emergency.

Overseas research has shown that, because of panic overpowering the rider’s conscious reactions, nearly a third of all riders do absolutely nothing in an accident situation: they don’t even apply the brakes!

If, however, your high level braking skills are so well learnt that they are instinctive, you will do it right, no matter what the situation. However, this requires you to do a lot of high level braking skill practice, the skills will not come with normal everyday riding.

As more modern bikes adopt anti-locking brakes (ABS) as standard features, and some come with linked brakes, where a control mechanism or electronics apply a measured amount of both brakes, braking under harsh or emergency conditions is in theory becoming safer. However, whilst the bike will be its part it is up to the rider to master that technology and use it to the best of their ability when needed.

Maintaining and improving your skills should always be on your mind and you should spend time doing so but build up your skills slowly and in a safe environment.