Pavement (2/12)

When driving a car, most people don’t think much about the quality of the pavement. Vehicles with four wheels can handle rough roads, small debris, and potholes with ease. But for the 2-wheeled motorcyclist, the road surface matters a lot—we depend on stability and traction to maintain control. When hazards threaten these aspects of bike operation, riding can quickly become dangerous.

The first thing motorcyclists need to watch for is the condition of the pavement. Not all pavement is the same—it varies in color, texture, and quality. A smooth ride can quickly turn risky depending on what’s under your tires. The key pavement features to watch are: Pavement Sections, Transition Zones, and Pavement Patches.

Pavement is laid in strips to make the road surface as seen in the picture. A length of road construction is referred to as a Pavement Section. Newer sections are generally smooth and dark. Older sections generally has a faded appearance and often shows signs of wear like cracks, potholes, loose chips, heaves, or ruts.

Sections of roadway tend to have consistent construction variables such as: date, time, asphalt properties, paver, foundation, and atmospheric conditions. Consistent aspects of construction combined with consistent daily forces from vehicles and weather result in Pavement Sections developing Wear Patterns as they age. These patterns will often equate to reoccurring hazards within the Pavement Section. Adjusting where you position and how your are riding can minimize the risk.

A transition zone is where one section of pavement meets another. This includes areas like bridges, train tracks, intersections, and gravel roads. These spots often have bumps or changes in traction. Watch for color changes in the pavement—they usually signal a new section with different road conditions.