Car Vs. Motorcycle: How to Share the Road

I recently attended a motorcycle rally in northern Wisconsin. My husband rode his Harley Davidson with a group of friends, and my daughter and I followed the group in our car. (Which we laughingly called our "support vehicle" as the truck was filled with camping supplies and food.)

My spouse has rode is bike for many years, and has fortunately never been hit by another vehicle. Some of our friends, however, have not been as lucky. When a larger vehicle hits a motorcycle and its rider, the result is never a good one for the motorcyclist.

While we were attending the rally, I narrowly missed hitting a couple on their touring bike. It was early in the morning, and visibility was obstructed by a fence. No-one was hurt in the incident, but the close call left me shaken.

According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, over two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers, not motorcyclists. A few tips will help you (and me!) be aware of motorcyclists, and how to share the road safely with them.

No matter what your views are on motorcycles and their riders, be aware that they have every right to be on the road as we do. You may find them loud or obnoxious, or you may be angry that they're sometime difficult to see. The fact is that they are on the road, and we have to adjust our driving style to be aware of them. (Especially during the warmer months when there are an increased number of bikes on the road.)

Become an alert driver. Minimize distractions while you drive. A vehicle is not a good place to multi-task. Save your phone calls, make-up application, reading, and paperwork until you're out of a moving car. If you have kids, try to tune out the chatter to stay focused on the road.

A good motorcyclist will know how to stay out of your blind spot. Each vehicle's blind spot is different, depending on the make and model, the mirror adjustment, and mirror size. Just like a car, when a motorcycle is driving parallel to you, he can enter this blind spot area. Unlike a car, the motorcycle can virtually disappear from view. If you know a motorcycle is nearby and you can't see it, assume that it's in your blind spot and be extremely cautious if you turn or change lanes. Be sure to use your turn signals so that the motorcyclist knows what you're doing.

Be aware that a motorcycle rider will drive differently than someone driving in a car. Many motorcyclists avoid the center of the road, and drive on the edges of a lane. This is to avoid oil and debris that accumulates in the center portion of the lane. A motorcycle rider will also avoid any kind of debris in the road. Even a small piece of debris can have deadly results if hit by a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist will also avoid pot holes, wet areas, and slow down on railroad tracks and bumps.

Give a motorcycle plenty of room. It's not a good idea to tail-gate another vehicle, but even a worse idea to get too close to a motorcycle. If you have to stop suddenly, the result could be deadly.

According to the Indiana Department of Education, there is an 80 percent likelihood of injury if a motorcycle is involved in a crash. Although it's the motorcyclist's responsibility to stay safe on the road, it's our responsibility to do our part. Being aware and alert of motorcycles and their riders will help keep the roads safer for everyone.

For more information for motorcyclists, read this great article on "Urban Guerilla" driving.

This tip sheet is great for both drivers and motorcyclists.