In hazardous conditions, how much distance should you allow between each rider?

In hazardous conditions, how much distance should you allow between each rider?

• A. One second.
• B. Four seconds.
• C. Ten seconds.
• D. No fixed distance.

Answer: (B)

In hazardous conditions you need more space between riders to allow time to react and stop. A four-second margin gives a safe buffer for slower reaction times and longer stopping distances on wet, icy, gravelly, or low-visibility roads, and when riding with a group. To judge it, pick a fixed object ahead and start counting seconds as the front rider passes it; you should reach four seconds before you reach that object. If conditions are especially poor, increase the gap even more.

In hazardous conditions you need more space between riders to allow time to react and stop. A four-second margin gives a safe buffer for slower reaction times and longer stopping distances on wet, icy, gravelly, or low-visibility roads, and when riding with a group. To judge it, pick a fixed object ahead and start counting seconds as the front rider passes it; you should reach four seconds before you reach that object. If conditions are especially poor, increase the gap even more.