SIPDE

SIPDE is the acronym for Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute. SIPDE is the mental process suggested by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for making judgments and taking action when riding a motorcycle.

Scan

Always be looking. Your eyes should follow a standard three-point rotation checking mirrors, controls and ahead. Your eyes should constantly patrol all areas for potential hazards and opportunities. Scan your rearview mirrors often. Check your mirrors whenever there is the potential for changing speed or lane position. When coming to a stop always scan your mirrors for a driver who may not recognize you are slowing.

Most riders look ahead to where they will be in four or five seconds. This distance is known as your "visual lead." But a four or five second visual lead is not enough. Take a defensive posture and increase your visual lead to 12 or 15 seconds. If, due to twists and bends in the road, you cannot see 12 seconds ahead, slow down. Increase your visual lead in situations that offer few escape routes or present added hazards.

Scan ahead for approaching opportunities, too. Opportunities include areas to pass (or to let people pass you), rest and, in isolated areas, buy gas. Monitoring your fuel supply can be crucial, even in areas that are not isolated. Some motorcycles have less than 100 miles range. When you are in the boondocks, start thinking about gas whenever your tank goes below half full.

Identify

Identify the situation ahead. Does it represent a hazard or an opportunity? The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends dividing these hazards into three categories: other vehicles sharing the road, pedestrians and animals and stationary objects. Each category presents its own unique challenges to the motorcyclist.

Predict

Anticipate the hazard or opportunity. What is the situation going to be like when you come to it? Predict what might happen and visualize escape routes.

Decide

Select a course of action from the available alternatives. Actions include communicating your presence, adjusting your speed, adjusting your course or some combination of the three. These actions are limited by road conditions, the condition of the bike and your skill level.

Execute

Do it. Take the action necessary to avoid the potential hazard. In general, responding to a potential hazard means creating a larger "envelope of safety" around your motorcycle, increasing your visual lead and scanning behind you more often. The "envelope of safety" is the space between you and all vehicles around you. Normal driving conditions require a 2-3 second following distance. This "en-velope of safety" should be expanded to 4–S seconds when following large vehicles, and to at least 6 seconds if the roads are wet. Avoid situations where you find yourself surrounded by truck traffic. Yield to road hogs, hot heads, youth gone wild, blue hairs and other drivers who put you in jeopardy.