Helping the Non-Motorcycle Public Understand

QUICK TIPS: Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

1. Over half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. Most of the time, the car or truck driver, not the motorcyclist, is at fault. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don’t “recognize” a motorcycle – they ignore it (usually unintentionally).
2. Because of its narrow profile, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds (bushes, fences, bridges). Take an extra moment to look for motorcycles, whether you’re changing lanes or turning at intersections.
3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
4. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without applying brake lighting, or using hand signals.
5. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless, show off, or to allow you to share the lane with them. 
6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling. Riders sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle’s signal is for real. 
7. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle’s better characteristics, especially at slower speeds. With good road conditions, don’t expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way. 
8. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because you can’t always stop “on a dime.” 
9. When a motorcycle is in motion, see more than the motorcycle – see the person under the helmet, who could be your friend, neighbor, or relative. 
10. If a driver crashes into a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian and causes serious injury, the driver would likely never forgive himself/herself. 

The following is my personal thoughts on how to combat these 10 things to help you as you ride. 

1. Try to make eye contact before making turns or moving through a intersection so you know the other drivers are aware of you.   Also be prepared to stop or take evasive action all the time.
2. Learn where most blind spots are and try to stay out of them when riding.
3. The only thing I can think of for this is to slow as you come to and intersection with cars stopped, to so you have more time to react if they do make a move.
4. There is a new brake light on the market that actually activates when you slow down without touching the brake.   You can also use hand signals that you you are slowing down.
5. For this one I suggest you don’t move around the lane to show off or be reckless. That way you are not one of “Those Bikers” that give us all a bad name.
6. USE HAND SIGNALS – that way they know you really are making a move.
7. Practice your Maneuverability.   Bike Games and Safety classes are wonderful times to sharpen your skills.  At the start of riding season, there is nothing wrong with finding an empty parking lot and run through some practice exercises to get you back in the swing after a long winter.  
8. For this one , improve your reaction time by scanning ahead of you when riding.  Look for brake lights farther up in the traffic so you can be slowing down and you don’t have to slam on the brakes.
9. For this one, Be a good example of a motorcyclist.  Don’t be the “Biker” that pisses everyone off by weaving in and out of traffic and cutting people off.  If you make them pissed, they really won’t care what happens to you.
10. This is true but remember you can’t just expect them to look for you on the road. You have to do as much as you can for yourself so you have a safe ride.   You chose to ride a motorcycle so you have a responsibility as well.