Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice when changing lanes?

The correct answer, indicating what is NOT a recommended practice when changing lanes, is based on crucial safety principles in motorcycle riding. Ignoring surrounding traffic represents a significant lapse in judgment that can lead to accidents.

When changing lanes, being aware of surrounding traffic is essential for maintaining safety on the road. This includes checking blind spots, which involves physically turning your head to look for vehicles that may not be visible in mirrors. Proper mirror use is equally important as it provides a view of what's happening behind and to the sides of the motorcycle. Signaling intentions informs other road users of your upcoming maneuvers, allowing for smoother and safer transitions.

All these practices—head checks, mirror use, and signaling—contribute to making lane changes safer by ensuring that you are fully aware of your environment and that other drivers are aware of your actions, thus significantly reducing the risk of collisions. Ignoring surrounding traffic, however, undermines all these safety measures and can lead to disastrous outcomes.