All courses › Motorcycle licence (A1, A2, A) › Speed to match your view

Speed to match your view

You must be able to stop within the distance you can see is clear, also just after a blind bend. The point where your view ends is called the vanishing point. If it comes towards you, the bend is tightening and you must slow down. If it moves away, the bend is opening. Compare your stopping distance with how far you can see.

Try it yourself

Speed in a bend and grip

v \cdot t_r + \dfrac{v^2}{2a} \le s_{\text{view}}

the stopping distance must be shorter than your view

Symbols

$v$	speed	m/s
$t_r$	reaction time, about 1	s
$a$	deceleration, about 7	m/s²
$s_{\text{view}}$	how far you can see the road is clear	m

Example

You can see 50 m through the bend.

70 km/h: $19.4 + \dfrac{19.4^2}{14} \approx 46$ m – fine. 80 km/h: $22.2 + \dfrac{22.2^2}{14} \approx 57$ m – too fast.

On wet or gravelly roads the deceleration is lower and the stopping distance longer. Slow down even more.

Practise bends and positioning for free →

← Lean angle in a bend · Blind spots →

Part of Motorcycle licence (A1, A2, A): Bends and positioning.