• A TR Group Site
  • Help
  • Cart
Driving Tests DT logo small
Driving tests
  • Learner licence
    • Car
    • Motorbike
    • Heavy vehicle
    • Learner Licence Plus
  • Courses
  • Tourist
  • Resources
  • Learn
  • Resources
  • Learner licence
    • Car
    • Motorbike
    • Heavy Vehicle
    • Learner Licence Plus
  • Your courses
    • Enrolled courses
  • View all courses
  • Tourist
  • Resources home
  • iOS application
  • Android application
  • Contact us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Home
  • /
  • Resources
  • /
  • Advice
  • / The most dangerous road surfaces for motorbike riders

The most dangerous road surfaces for motorbike riders

Two wheels aren’t as stable as four when it comes to slippery and challenging surfaces therefore as a motorbike rider you need to be looking out for these hazards.

Gravel and loose stones

New Zealand has plenty of beautiful roads to spectacular places which are still gravel all the way. Watch out for the banks of gravel that form on the edges of the roads. Follow the tyre tracks that have been left by cars as this will have the least amount of loose stones. However, when it’s wet, these areas with less stones can become very slick.

Of course, you also must be careful of dust when following other vehicles.

gravel road with dust

Loose gravel can also frequently be found on the edges of the road. As the edges of the road aren’t so frequently used, lichens can take a foothold and these are slippery when wet.

Deep water and fords

ford

Water that is fast flowing can sweep your wheels from under you even if it’s not that deep. After you’ve passed through the water, ensure that your brake discs aren’t wet otherwise they won’t provide decent stopping power.

Items and debris on the roads

Spilled fluids (e.g. diesel) can be especially slippery. Larger items (including road kill) can cause you to lose control. Vegetation and mud can be dragged onto the road by agricultural machinery. Items can fall from trailers and vehicles. Scanning a good distance ahead can help you miss these items.

Railway level crossings

uncontrolled railway crossing

A level crossing is where the train tracks cross the road at the same level rather than going over a bridge or through a cutting or tunnel. The metal rails can be slippery, and if they are not perpendicular to the road there’s more of a risk that your wheel can get stuck in them, or deflected by them, if you have narrow wheels.

Temporary steel covers, manhole covers and repairs

bus lane road markings

Sometimes a steel plate might be used over the top of a temporary hole, and these can be slippery when wet. Manhole covers are also hazardous when they’re wet. There’s less friction on a wet metal surface than a wet asphalt surface.

Service trenches, where a pipe or cable has been dug up and repairs, are sometimes overfilled to allow for settlement, but can still settle to create a channel where water will remain as a puddle.

Leaves

leaves on the road with scooter parked

When autumn comes, leaves fall from deciduous plants and they decay along the roadside creating a slimy much which can be difficult for motorcyclists. These areas can also be hazards before the trees drop their leaves as they shade the road from drying out.

Black ice

Black ice, which is frequently caused by drizzle falling in freezing temperatures, is almost impossible to see.

Road markings

two way traffic road markings

Road marking paint has much more friction than it used to, but it’s still not quite as grippy as tarmac. Take care in the wet.

Road surface degradation

tarmac-pot-hole-with-puddle

The most common issues are pot holes, but you can also find sections of road which have been worn very smooth, tarmac joints which have very little grip and areas where the surface is loose.

Speed bumps

speed bump

They’re usually marked but are sometimes difficult to see at night. If you hit one at speed it can bounce you out of your seat. If there’s a space either side then you can ride through that; these are often called speed cushions or road cushions.

Road cushions
driver training courses
By Darren Cottingham

Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above

‹ What do you do if you lose your speeding ticket?
Can you drive with epilepsy? ›
Tagged with: rural roads | Posted in Advice, Motorbike
  • DisqusDisqus
Recent Resources
  • The Impact of Weather Conditions on Safe EWP Operation
  • Acoustic Emission Testing for Fibreglass Booms: Why It Matters
  • The Evolution of Gantry Cranes in Modern Manufacturing
  • Understanding Load Capacity and Weight Distribution on EWPs
  • How do you efficiently dig a trench? Tips from the pros
  • How to Choose the Right EWP for Your Project: A Comprehensive Guide
  • Pre-Operational Inspection Checklist for Gantry Crane Operators
  • The Importance of Harness Systems When Working on Boom Lifts
  • Safety Procedures for Working Near Power Lines with EWPs
  • How do you plan efficient dig patterns?

Licences and Courses

  • Car
  • Motorbike
  • Heavy Vehicles
Car
  • Core
  • Behaviour
  • Parking
  • Emergencies
  • Road position
  • Intersection
  • Theory
  • Signs
Motorbike
  • Bike-specific questions
  • Core
  • Behaviour
  • Parking
  • Emergencies
  • Road position
  • Intersection
  • Theory
  • Signs
Heavy Vehicles
  • Class 2
  • Class 3-5
  • Core
  • Behaviour
  • Parking
  • Emergencies
  • Road position
  • Intersection
  • Theory
  • Signs

Vehicle and workplace training

  • About
  • Resources
DT Driver Training TR Group
About
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Resources
  • Homepage
  • Driving Tests Android App
  • Driving Tests iPhone App
  • Getting your learner licence
DT Driver Training TR Group
Copyright 2010-2025 DT Driver Training Ltd, PO Box 12541, Penrose, Auckland, 1642. All rights reserved. Questions and images are used with permission from NZTA; question answers are proprietary.