How to Drive Around Motorcycles

June 30, 2011 | Motorcycle Accidents

Anyone who has never ridden a bike can be confused at the behavior of riders. Instead of explaining every single aspect of a rider’s behavior, it is best to just follow these simple tips.

When making left turns, always look for traffic. Then, check again for bikers.

This first safety tip is arguably the most important. The vast majority of car vs. motorcycle accident happen in intersections when a car turns right in front of a biker. You can only imagine how this type of crash affects the motorcycle driver. So, while checking to be sure traffic is clear when turning right, you should always look once for vehicles, and then again for cyclists. Vehicles turning in front of motorcycles is the number one cause of fatal accidents and serious injuries for motorcycle riders. Please, always look twice and save lives!

Don’t mind swerving motorcyclists

Motorcycle drivers often weave within their own lane from side to side. While it may seem unusual or scary to you, they have good reason to do this. For those of us in cars and trucks, hitting a pothole typically isn’t a big deal, as the worst case scenario probably only messes with our vehicle’s alignment. But, for a biker, avoiding a pothole could be the difference between life and death. Potholes are just the start; factor in roadkill, road debris, and oil spots too. Some roadways can literally be an obstacle course for cyclists. Similarly, some bikers like to change lane positioning to avoid being caught in blind spots as well.

The best thing to do is to leave bikers as much space as possible, as they have numerous things to swerve for. By giving them room, and not crowding them, you are helping to keep bikers safe. When passing a biker, always do it quickly to give them as much space as possible.

Don’t ride too close

When you are traveling behind a motorcycle, you should increase your following distance. Leaving a buffer zone for cyclists is important as they have a much quicker stopping distance than cars. A car probably cannot stop as fast as most motorcycles. More importantly, when a car is rear-ended, the driver of the car is well protected. But, motorcycle riders are completely exposed, meaning that even a minor collision could have very serious effects.

Make a mental note

Bikers can be on the road during any and every season. But, especially in the fall, spring, and summer, make a mental note that bikers are around. Just as we make a note to watch for kids in neighborhoods, we should also remind ourselves of bikers. Always share the road, as bikers can only do so much to actually protect themselves. Follow these motorcycle safety tips, share the road, and always drive safely. If you have been in a motorcycle crash, where a driver did not pay attention to one of the above tips, you may be entitled to compensation. To find out more and to talk to an experienced Missouri motorcycle accident lawyer, call (314) 208-2808 today.