Motorcycles are dangerous. You've probably heard people say that before, and it's true. In 2021, 14% of all traffic deaths in the United States involved motorcyclists — even though motorcycles only make up 3% of vehicles on the road.
Sadly, it's not hard to see why. Motorcycles are harder to spot in traffic and don't offer great physical protection in a crash. That means motorcyclists are more likely to get into a wreck and more likely to suffer serious injuries.
Bikers are doing their part to stay safe. But drivers also have a responsibility to make our roads less deadly. Here are seven tips for sharing the road with motorcycles safely.
1. Don't Share Lanes
You should never drive side by side in the same lane as a motorcycle. Sure, it may seem like there's room for the both of you, but that's dangerous. Motorcyclists need extra room to maneuver safely.
2. Be Generous While Passing
Passing a motorcycle is just like passing any other vehicle. You signal, ease into the left lane, signal again, and come back to your lane. It's simple! The trick is to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the motorcycle.
3. Increase Your Following Distance
Motorcycles are lighter than cars and trucks, which means they come to a stop quicker. Let's say the biker in front of you stops suddenly. Naturally, you slam on the brakes immediately. Still, your car will have traveled a longer distance than the motorcycle, and you may accidentally rear-end them.
Fortunately, that's easy to avoid. Just increase your safe following distance. A four-second distance could prevent a wreck.
4. Check Your Blind Spots
Your car has blind spots, areas around your vehicle that you can't easily see. Because motorcycles are fairly small, they often get stuck in these blind spots. Unless you crane your neck to look, you might not see a biker right by your side — until it's too late.
Blind spot collisions are deadly. 41% of all motorcycle deaths involve a car turning left and a biker going straight, trying to pass. Yes, motorcyclists are at fault here, but drivers who check their blind spots before turning will immediately spot the danger and avoid a crash.
5. Always Signal Your Turns
Signaling your turns keeps everyone safe, especially motorcyclists. It tells them you're going to switch lanes or turn soon. If there's a motorcyclist in your blind spot, they'll have enough time to get out of the way and find a safe lane position.
6. Don't Be Fooled by Turn Signals
Most motorcycle turn signals are non-canceling. Often, bikers simply forget to turn them off. This silly feature means you can't always trust their blinkers. At intersections, wait a few seconds to see if the motorcycle in front of you will actually turn before proceeding.
7. Open Doors Cautiously
Don't just throw open your door after parking on a busy street. You could accidentally hit a motorcyclist or force them to swerve dangerously out of your way. That's called dooring, don't do it. Scan the road around and behind you first.
This is a helpful tip for sharing the road with bicycles, too!
Learn the Law of the Land and Get Behind the Wheel
Sharing the road isn't just a nice thing to do, it's the law. You'll learn all these tips — and everything else you need to know to get behind the wheel — in driver's ed. Enroll in our state-accredited online driver's ed classes to earn your license (and independence!) at your own pace. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll hit the road.
Updated 3/28/24