Thread by @exGlosPolBiker

@WestonSuperMoto @fortyfourteeth @BikeSafeUK

I agree totally with Andrew, getting ones knee down, per se, is not an offence and as he goes onto explain, there are generally more offences being committed apart from rubbing knee sliders.

During the BikeSafe day we said that we

all enjoy motorcycling and being on the w/shop, most of, not all wanted to become a safer rider.
We talked about the system, observation, positioning, speed and defensive riding and the over arching mantra was being able to stop in the distance we can see to be clear on our own

side of the road.
So, why do racers get their knee(s) down? It’s to aid cornering whilst racing, the rider can gauge how far the bikes leaning over, too much and they’re off, or sometimes, then using their knee to stop them sliding off and pick up the bike. Some skills there!!

It’s allowing the racer to take the bike, to its maximum lean angle for that corner and therefore faster, hopefully going on to win the race 👍
So, coming back to our scenario, we talked about defensive riding, our speed is dictated by road layout, other road users, hazards and

environmental factors generally. Mid corner, should anything change, then we should be able to stop within our side of the road.
So, if our knee was dragging on the tarmac, could we apply the brakes or change gears? Probably not, oh dear!
Generally ones speed would be quicker

using the knee down technique, can we stop as quick as another biker not having their knee down? Probably not, oh dear!
On the road, do we need to gauge how far we are leaning into a corner, curve or bend, using the knee technique? Not really ...

Track riding is different, riding at 100% or more, generally on the road, we never ride near that, we have always got something spare, just in case our riding plan has to change.
Tyres have improved massively over the last few decades, allowing bikes to be leaned further and

afford us more grip 😊 That does depend on the road / hazards, speed etc, but we still have to ride defensively.
For us mortals, not riding in the championships, we don’t really need to get our knee(s) down, as we have to contend with hazards,

other traffic, conforming to road signs etc, all the while riding defensively, so is it necessary to tip into that corner at that speed, not being able to stop safely, just to scrape our sliders? Probably not ...

Generally, if people ride like that, they’re going to get stopped and a discussion will take place, there would be other offences to talk about as well
As an aside, Dangerous driving is where our driving / riding falls far below the standard of a competent and careful driver and

Careless/Inconsiderate driving is where our driving / riding falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver.
There will be other elements of the riding to “discuss” 🤣🤣

Finally, enjoy the track sessions where you can practice riding at your limit(s), getting your knee(s) down.
Stay safe, ride defensively and arrive safely. Keep on the grey bits!