What is the first step to safely approaching multiple hazards while riding a motorcycle?

When approaching multiple hazards while riding a motorcycle, the first step is to identify and separate them. This means recognizing each hazard in your path, such as potholes, debris, or other vehicles, and determining their locations and potential impact on your ride. By identifying these hazards, you can assess the risks they pose and devise a strategy to navigate through them safely.

Separating hazards refers to the technique of dealing with them one at a time rather than reacting to them as a group. This helps in maintaining focus and making more controlled decisions while riding, ensuring that you don’t become overwhelmed by the presence of multiple dangers. For example, if you see both a pothole and a patch of wet pavement ahead, you would prioritize maneuvering around each one methodically rather than trying to address both at once.

The other options suggest inappropriate or unsafe behaviors, such as ignoring hazards or speeding up, which can lead to accidents. Focusing on identifying and separating hazards is crucial for effective risk management while riding.