Motorcycle Rider Safety

There are over 314 million people living in the United States and they own over 9 million motorcycles. Let’s talk about motorcycle rider safety.

What causes most motorcycle accidents? There are many possible causes.

The most frequent cause is the inability of vehicular motorists to see motorcyclists. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and drivers tend to look for other cars, not bikes.  As a result, estimating the distance and oncoming speed becomes more difficult. Those who primarily drive cars are also not used to the driving patterns of motorcyclists and so this also becomes harder to judge.

Over 40% of all accidents occur at intersections where a car driver is making a left turn in front of a motorcycle.  Another common scenario is a driver is making a left turn on a four lane road. The car in the closest oncoming lane stops, but the motorcycle in the oncoming far lane decides to run the yellow light. Other common situations are when an oncoming driver rear ends a motorcycle or if the motorcyclist runs into the back end of a vehicle.

Another thing to keep in mind is the blind spot.  Cyclists riding alongside a lane of cars may be out of the view of the drivers. This could lead to an unsuspecting driver colliding with the motorcycle as they try to change lanes.

Road conditions can affect a motorcycle rider far more than cars. Road obstructions such as potholes, fallen tree limbs or railroad tracks can be challenging. An icy or wet road or a road with sand on it can also present a perilous situation for riders. Larger vehicles such as vans or trucks that can block a rider’s view or view of the rider from other motorists are another major consideration for riders.

Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun and the freedom of the open road is very inviting. But you need to be safe and aware out there. Take a class and get a motorcycle license, to begin with. Wear a helmet! Be safe, have fun, and call us for Motorcycle Insurance!