Last updated: October 7, 2026.
When delivering food, you often have to navigate unfamiliar alleys. The navigation app may tell you to go straight, but you might encounter a road that’s been dug up and repaved, construction barriers spanning the lanes, or a pothole that suddenly appears ahead. The most common mistake in these situations is slamming on the brakes just as the wheels are about to hit an obstacle, or immediately turning the handlebars to swerve through the moment you spot a small gap. For a motorcycle with only two wheels, spotting the hazard early and slowing down in advance is far more important than reacting only when it’s right in front of you.
When I see construction vehicles and workers, I immediately expect the road surface to change.
The Ministry of Transportation’s 168 Traffic Safety Portal reminds riders that when construction vehicles or workers appear ahead, they should anticipate that the road surface may not be as smooth as usual. Even if delivery riders frequently travel the same route to pick up orders, they should not rely solely on their memory of previous trips. The scope of construction, the placement of steel plates, and the available passageway may all differ from the previous day.
As you approach a construction zone, look ahead and watch for barriers, changes in road elevation, potholes, and the movements of the vehicle in front of you; slow down early to give yourself time to determine a safe route. If the vehicle in front suddenly slows down, don’t tailgate it just to get to your destination on time. If you need to change direction, first check the surrounding traffic and available space to avoid cutting into the path of a nearby vehicle while trying to avoid a pothole.
Slow down before the steel plate and cover plate to minimize sudden movements while passing through them
According to the Ministry of Transportation’s Motorcycle Safety Information No. 168, on special road surfaces such as road excavations, manhole covers, and construction steel plates, the friction experienced by the tires and the feedback felt by the rider may differ from that on standard asphalt roads. In particular, since construction steel plates offer lower friction, sudden acceleration, sudden braking, or excessive lean angles can cause the motorcycle to skid or swerve. Therefore, deceleration should be completed before the tires make contact with the steel plate; when road conditions permit, pass over the plate at a steady speed, and avoid suddenly accelerating, braking hard, or making sharp turns until you are clear of the steel plate.
If there happens to be a corner, a parked vehicle, or a pedestrian right next to the metal plate, it’s even more important to keep in mind the principle of “completing one action before moving on to the next.” Do not attempt to turn and brake simultaneously on the same small section of the road. If you cannot clearly see the edge of the metal plate or the traffic conditions ahead, first find a safe place to pull over and assess the route; do not force your way through an uncertain stretch of road.
When you encounter a pothole, leave enough distance to handle it.
The defensive driving guidelines also specifically remind riders to watch out for potholes and manhole covers ahead and to slow down or avoid them well in advance. Potholes themselves can cause a motorcycle to lose stability; swerving suddenly to avoid a pothole may result in a collision with a nearby vehicle. When navigating unfamiliar residential alleys, storefronts, or roads under construction, delivery riders should avoid staring constantly at the next turn prompt on their navigation app and instead keep an eye on the road surface their wheels are about to pass over.
When actually riding, you can break the decision-making process down into two steps: first, identify the location of potholes, traffic flow, and available routes while you’re still a safe distance away; if you can’t safely avoid them, slow down on stable pavement and proceed cautiously based on the conditions on the ground. If the road is blocked off by barriers or you can’t confirm whether it’s passable, stop safely and replan your route. Taking a little extra time to go around is manageable, but the risks posed by hasty, sudden maneuvers are difficult to control.
Delivery routes can change daily, and road conditions due to construction can also vary. By making it a habit to “keep an eye out for construction vehicles as soon as you spot them,” “slow down before metal plates,” and “check the surrounding traffic before approaching potholes,” you can ensure that changes in road conditions remain within your field of vision and allow you enough time to react.
Sources and Verification:
- Ministry of Transportation 168 Traffic Safety Portal | Motorcycle Defensive Driving Guidelines(Date of verification: October 7, 2026)
- Ministry of Transportation 168 Traffic Safety Portal | "Danger" Lies in the Details—Motorcycles Edition(Date of verification: October 7, 2026)
