When i'm in general reasonably flowing traffic - 1.5 car lengths. On major lengths of road.with + 30mph limits-2+ car lengths. On a a run,through heavy traffic,frankly I tend to scrape the dirt off vehicles. Generally spend most of the day spurting up to 40 getting ahead of traffic,so it's more of an issue of approaching traffic,not being part of it. your approach.??.
3 car lengths minimum in flowing traffic. 2 car lengths minimum in slow moving traffic. standstill traffic ill go straight down the middle providing theres space. you should leave more than enough space for you to come to a stop should the vehicle infront of you choose to suddenly decide to come to a stop.
I've always allowed at least two seconds, three if the roads are wet. I count as a car passes a lamp post or marking on the road. "Only a fool breaks the two second rule." My Dad taught me to count like the Parachute Regiment do with their chutes - "One thousand, two thousand, three thousand, check!" and I've done it for so long now that it's automatic.
When I was younger,it was the 'Ooh F.' rule,nowadays.it's the 'oooooh f.......k,phew,tweak/tweak'rule..
When you put a crash helmet on, you enter the twilight world of the Invisible Man. As long as you ride with that in mind, you won't go far wrong. Demand as much road space as a car would have and if you are pissing a driver off, at least he knows you are there.
depends on the road, just came back over the mountain, up there you need around 8 seconds between you and the car in front, but on the highways you can use the 2-3 second rule. just ride to the conditions and the roads
