What is an effective strategy for getting past a dog that may chase your motorcycle?

To safely navigate past a dog that may chase your motorcycle, slowing down, downshifting, and then accelerating is an effective strategy. This approach allows for better control of the motorcycle while reducing the speed, which can reduce the likelihood of provoking the dog. By downshifting, the rider prepares the motorcycle for acceleration, making it easier to respond quickly if needed. After the initial slowdown, accelerating allows the rider to quickly move past the dog without appearing as a direct threat, which could provoke a chase response.

In contrast, speeding up immediately may escalate the situation and incite the dog to chase even more vigorously. Ignoring the dog and maintaining a constant speed could lead to a dangerous situation if the dog decides to chase. Swerving to the right might not always be the best choice, as it could result in losing control or moving into the path of other vehicles or obstacles. Therefore, the combined strategy of slowing down initially, gaining better control, and then accelerating is the safest and most effective way to bypass a potentially aggressive dog.