Mass  – Combined weight of rider and motorcycle.

Mentality Hazards –  Hazards created by the way a motorcyclist thinks and acts.  The most influential aspect of an individuals ability to manage risk.

Mitigating a Hazard – To lessen the severity of a hazards effect with gear.

Momentum – Is the result of an object in motion. Momentum will increase if weight or speed increases (momentum = speed x weight)

Murphy’s Law – Something that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Muscle Memory – Repetitive use of machine controls which results in the machine becoming an extension of the operator’s body. Strong muscle memory causes the rider to control the motorcycle subconsciously.

Nose-Angle – The comparison of a vehicle’s nose direction in reference to the painted lines of it’s lane.  The Nose-Angle can be used to determine where a vehicle is going.

Operational Hazards – Hazards created by a rider who is unfamiliar with motorcycle physics or has underdeveloped muscle memory.  The second most influential aspect of an individuals ability to manage risk.

No-Ride Zones – Areas around vehicles that increase the risk of collisions.

Panic Reaction – A Panic Reaction is an involuntary reaction that stems from the flight or fight reflex in response to danger.  The three base Panic Reactions are: overreaction, incorrect action, freezing up.

Panoramic Vision  – Lightlyin re unfocusing the eyes in order to spread attention into peripheral vision.

Passable Hazards – Hazards that can be created by the road surface, or foreign material on the road. Most Passable Hazards can be passed over with proper motorcycle control.

Pass Window – The amount of time in seconds needed to perform a pass on an undivided highway.

Pavement Pattern – Repeating pavement characteristics within a Pavement Section that the motorcyclist can use to predict incoming hazards.

Pavement Section – Road construction and repairs are done in sections.  These sections will have or develop road characteristics that are common within the section. Pavement Patch – Pavement patches indicate where repairs have been done to the road or foundation underneath. Pavement Strip – When roads are constructed, they are laid down in strips slightly larger than one lane.  Stability Hazards can form over time between strips. Peripheral Perception – Relying on peripheral vision to navigate and spot danger. Peripheral Perception utilizes Binocular/Panoramic Vision to efficiently guide vision and attention. Point of Intersection – The point where a collision is about to take place.  It is a combination of timing and Ride Plan vs Drive Plan. Preparing for Launch – Moving into a free lane while approaching a red light or stop sign.  Being in a free lane allows the rider to accelerate ahead of traffic.

Push-Steering – The easiest way to learn how to manoeuvre a motorcycle by pushing on the left/right handlebar. To go right: look right (where you want to go), push right, go right. To go left: look left, push left, go left.

Rapid Accels – Coordinated clutch and throttle control to cause a moderate to heavy acceleration of the motorcycle from a standstill or slow roll.

Rapid Decels – Front brake (with additional rear brake option) to quickly reduce the speed of the motorcycle in preparation for a turn or evasion.

The Ready Position – The best position at a stand-still.  Left food down, clutch pulled in, right foot pressing rear brake, transmission in 1st. The rider is visible due to the rear brake being activated and is ready to go into motion.

Ride Plan – A planned line that the motorcyclist intends to travel with their machine. The Ride Plan is the primary form of risk management available to the rider. The 2nd component of the APE Barrier.

The Right of Weight – Is a play on words relating to the Right-of-Way. The bigger heavier vehicle will win in a collision therefore giving it the Right of Weight. Motorcycles never have the Right of Weight.

Risk – The possibility of an outcome. Risk can be good or bad but throughout Moto Instincts risk is associated with negative outcomes. The greater the risk, the greater the chance of an accident, damage, injury, or death.

Road Rage – Being overwhelmed with anger due to the actions of another motorist.

RPM – Revolutions per minute. Used to describe engine speed. Generally, as RPM’s increase so does power output.

Secondary Ride Plan – An alternative route planned in the event of an emergency.

Shift Lever – Lever under the left foot. lift up or press down to shift the transmission into a higher/lower gear.  Most motorcycles have a 1 down, 5/6 up shift pattern with neutral between 1st and 2nd gear.

Shoulder –Refers to the section of pavement between the lane and ditch.  They can vary in size and not all roads are built with a shoulder.  Shoulders have an increased risk of Traction Hazards.

Skill Bubble – The sum of a motorcyclist’s physical and mental skill.

Spooked – Refers to a scared animal on the run.

Stability – Refers to the overall balance of the machine. The rider must balance motorcycle operation vs gravity in order to maintain stability.

Stability Hazards – Hazards that can affect the balance of the machine and/or rider when ridden over.

Stunting Traffic – Reducing speed early to stunt the flow of rearward traffic before a stopping point up ahead.

Stall Zone – The 3rd stage of clutch engagement.  Provides too much friction within the clutch which causes the engine to bog down or stall.

Tank Slapper + Speed Wobbles – Results from the front and rear tire coming out of alignment. A mild misalignment will cause a wobble as the tires try to come into alignment. A major misalignment will cause the handlebars to snap back and forth violently as the tires try to come into alignment.

Target Fixation – When the rider happens upon an unforeseen hazard causing a freezing Panic Reaction which locks the eyes onto the hazard. If the rider cannot break their Target Fixation, they will likely make contact with the hazard.

Tar Snake – Long pieces of tar used to seal cracks in the pavement.

Telegraphs – Small mannerisms and movements given off by motorists or animals that can be used to predict their next move.

Threshold Braking – Maximum braking force achievable, before available friction is exceeded, and traction is lost.

Throttle – The machine control that supplies more gas to the engine. More throttle results in more power output.

Traction – Amount of available friction between the motorcycle tires and the road. When traction is lost, the motorcycle will begin to slide with 1 or both tires.

Traction Hazards – Hazards that will cause a drop in friction when ridden over.

Traffic Artery – Refer to the amount of traffic flow allowed by a roadway.  They can be school/residential, minor, medium, and freeway/highway.  Larger arteries tend to offer better Line of Sight with less Hazard Entry Points as well as hazard frequency.

Traffic Bubble – An area of low traffic density that make a great place for a motorcyclist to hang out in.

Traffic Dynamics – Refers to standard traffic flow principles and the variables that affect traffic flow.

Transition Zone – Where one Pavement Section meets another, a dirt road, bridge, or train tracks. Tunnel Vision – When attention is focused on an object or direction for too long which can cause hazards to go unnoticed.

Unavoidable Hazards – Hazards that cannot be eliminated or controlled; only mitigated. They are broken down into Vision and Environmental Hazards.

Vanishing Point – Where Line of Sight ends due to bends in the road.

Vehicle Shield – The rider can shield themself from potential collisions by placing a vehicle between them and a Hazard Entry Point.

Velocity  – Has two components, speed and direction.

Vision Hazard – Anything that causes any reduction in visibility.

Washboard – Continual bumps in a washboard pattern that form on gravel roads due to the upwards and downwards force applied from vehicles.  Avoid braking or turning in these areas.  Heavy vehicles can cause sunken tracks within pavement sections can create a washboard effect as well.

Wheel-Angle – The angle of the steering wheels compared to the vehicle chassis that is used to determine the motorist’s Drive Plan.