Sharing the Road With Motorcycles

Practical Car-Driving Hints for Driving Safely Around Motorcylists

Oct 23, 2009

Learning how to drive around motorcyclists helps keep everybody safe. Motorcyclists already drive defensively; car drivers can help by learning about motorcycle riders.

Car drivers often complain that motorcycling is dangerous, without realizing that one of the largest causes of motorcycle accidents is drivers who do not know how to share the road with motorcyclists.

For a rider, part of becoming an experienced, safe motorcyclist is to learn how to ride defensively; another part may be educating drivers. Consider sharing these hints with non-riding friends and family to help teach drivers how to share the road more effectively with motorcyclists. (Many of these rules also apply to bicyclists.)

Motorcyclists Split Lanes to Keep Themselves Safe

While lane-splitting is inherently risky, where legal it can also help keep the motorcyclist safer. Unlike cars, motorcycles cannot idle for hours in traffic. Many cruiser-style motorcycles are air-cooled, which means that while they are essentially parked on the freeway, they are overheating. An overheating bike will eventually stop.

If it is a hot day, the rider also runs the risk of overheating and getting heat stroke. Thus, a motorcycle splits lanes to keep safe. A lane-splitting motorcyclist is not deliberately setting out to annoy the driver; he is simply trying to keep safe.

If possible, a driver who sees a motorcycle coming should steer away from him to give him more room. Always check mirrors and look over the shoulder before switching lanes (the same rule applies to driving in general).

Inherently Dangerous Behaviors That Affect Motorcycle Riders

Behaviors such as personal grooming and the increasingly-illegal act of using a cellphone while driving add extra risk for vulnerable motorcyclists. When driving, the vehicle operator needs to concentrate on the road. It is for this reason that motorcycle helmet stickers sometimes shout, "Hey [insert epithet here]! You're driving a car, not a phone booth!"

As a driver, it is too easy to go into auto-pilot. Drivers who do not have both hands on the wheel tend to meander in their lane, or slow down unexpectedly. Such drivers would not enjoy having a motorcyclist park in their trunk.

Look Twice to Avoid Collisions With Motorcyclists

Riders who take motorcycle safety training are taught to scan ahead, looking for potential hazards and escape routes. Car drivers can follow the same advice.

In the United Kingdom in the 1970s, there was a television awareness campaign targeted at motorcycle awareness for car drivers. The tagline was, "Look once. Look twice. Think bike." This is good advice, especially when pulling out of driveways or changing lanes.

If the driver learns to watch for motorcycles, she may also see the tail lights flashing ahead and can slow down in advance. A rear-ended motorcyclist has no chance for a good outcome.

With a little care, awareness and understanding, these simple tips can help keep motorcyclists and car drivers on the road in the way both prefer – with all tires firmly on the asphalt, not spread over it in pieces.

The copyright of the article Sharing the Road With Motorcycles in Motorcycle Travel is owned by Linda Gentile. Permission to republish Sharing the Road With Motorcycles in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.