Thursday Thirteen #8: 13 ways for motorcyclists to be safer

Aug 15, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #8: 13 ways for motorcyclists to be safer

About 95% of the news alerts I hear are about motorcyclists getting killed or hurt out on the road. I don’t like that at all. Here, therefore, are some hints on how to keep yourself safe while out riding.

Thirteen Things about keeping yourself safe on a motorcycle.

If turning right, always glance over your right shoulder before committing. If turning left, always glance over the left. You never know — someone might be lanesplitting past you.
Where possible, move into the emptiest lane so that you have more of a buffer around you.
Lane-split only when you absolutely must, i.e. you or your bike are going to overheat or freeze. (Californians only. I don’t think it’s legal anywhere else, but I could be wrong.)
If you lane-split to the head of the line, always take the split-second to check that someone turning across your path hasn’t jumped the red. You’re still faster than anyone else.
If a car driver decides to give you a run for your money at a light, let them. They have something to prove. You already ride a motorcycle, and have already proven it.
If you see someone talking on a cellphone, give them a wide, wide berth. They don’t see you, they don’t care about you, they’re talking to Big Boss or Darling Daughter in their portable phone booth.
If you can’t see the driver in his or her wing mirror, he or she can’t see you.
Get through a car’s blind spot as quickly as possible.
Install a louder horn. An air horn, even.
It’s safer to be behind the loony weaving all over the lanes than in front of them.
Wear bright clothing and reflectors.
Develop psychic awareness. You can often sense that somebody is about to do something stupid.
Always assume that everyone really is out to kill you, and therefore that you must think for yourself and for everyone else on the road.

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Comments

32 Comments, Comment or Ping

thebluestbutterfly (8 comments.)

I appreciated the comment about the fact that it is safer to be behind the lunatic driver…if you are ahead of them by a great length, they may still catch up to you.

Aug 15th, 2007
Lori (4 comments.)

Interesting stuff. A lot of it could apply to car drivers too. I’m always astounded at how many people do not look over their shoulders before changing lanes.

Thanks for visiting my TT!

Aug 15th, 2007
Susan Helene Gottfried (21 comments.)

Wise words.

I agree about being behind the lunatic — the better to keep an eye on them!

Happy TT!

Aug 15th, 2007
Lori (7 comments.)

I work in a hospital and im here to tell you, motorcycles are one of the most common injuries we find in the ER. Even if you are a good driver, there are so many idiots out there…you just never know….thanks for the great info:)

Aug 15th, 2007
Suprina (4 comments.)

Great Motorcycle road rules!
Motorcycles actually scare me so I try to steer clear of them even while driving on the road.

Great TT!

Aug 15th, 2007
pussreboots (158 comments.)

Stay safe and happy trails. I have book recommendations up this week. :)

Aug 15th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

Lori-in-a-hospital: I seriously doubt there’s a single rider out there who isn’t aware that they take their lives into their hands every time they go out. That’s why we learn to ride thinking for ourselves and everyone else.

I’ve been in a hit and run, but wasn’t hurt (bruises). I was furious though.

Yes, you never know, but 40,000+ miles later I still feel the most alive when I’m sailing on my cycle. :)

Thank you for looking after those of us who don’t make it.

Aug 15th, 2007
Buck Naked Politics (3 comments.)

Great list. Very informative (and life-saving, I hope).

Aug 15th, 2007
Comedy Plus (5 comments.)

Excellent advice. My husband rides now and then and I worry the entire time he is gone. Have a great TT. :)

Aug 15th, 2007
Sherrie (34 comments.)

I agree Linda, I would rather ride than not, and we are all fully aware of consequences. And full gear is needed! Great post. :-)

Aug 16th, 2007
Michael (5 comments.)

Great list. Some of this is basic information every rider should know, but it’s *always* good to be reminded now and then to keep it fresh in mind while enjoying our two wheeled adventures!

Aug 16th, 2007
Sparky Duck (3 comments.)

good list, though it has done nothing to make me want to get a bike any year soon :)

Aug 16th, 2007
MamaLee (4 comments.)

I’ve only been on a motorcycle once in my life! Great list - good info, for SURE.

Happy TT!

Aug 16th, 2007
J. Lynne (35 comments.)

I wish more motorcyclists would wear helmets. When I was a child, I witnessed 3 motorcycle accidents at the corner of my street where the motorcyclist wasn’t wearing a helmet. None of them made it.

I see so many riding around without helmets and whether or not they are experienced riders or not, there are a lot of reckless drivers.

Good list! I mentioned motorcycle riding on mine this week.

Aug 16th, 2007
Robin (26 comments.)

Excellent advice for drivers of cars, too.

Drivers here in Israel are BAD. You can never be too alert or too careful.

Aug 16th, 2007
Natalie (1 comments.)

Great tips!

Happy TT :)

Aug 16th, 2007
Marina (4 comments.)

I especially like the air horn suggestion.

DH wants to mount a paint-ball turret on the hood of each of our cars.

Aug 16th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

TBB: Yup, I’d much rather be there than where I can’t predict what they’ll do. And, if possible, I’ll let a few more cars get between us too…

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

Lori: You’re welcome! Looking over one’s shoulder is good and we bikers appreciate it too. It reduces the number of merges into our lanes. :)

When I see someone check themselves because they noticed I always acknowledge with a wave (if it’s safe to do so).

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

SHG: That’s for sure! :)

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

Suprina: We love it when cars keep away from us. :-) It makes us feel safer.

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

pussreboots: Thank you! I’ll come over to see in a day or so. I try to visit everyone before the next TT. :)

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

BNP: Thank you!

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

ComedyPlus: Thanks for visiting! How long has your hubby been riding? I hope he can stay safe out there.

Do you ever ride with?

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

Sherrie: Yup, gear is very important. :)

So, when are you going to show us yer bike? ;)

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

Michael: Yup, I think the basics always bear remembering, and maybe there’s something for a nOOb as well :)

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

SparkyDuck: lol! Well, never mind. My intention was not to convert, but to inform. :)

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

MamaLee: Thanks for visiting! So, did you hate it that much? *grin*

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

J Lynne: I saw your TT :) Yes, I am a believer in helmets. When I was first taking lessons, umpti ump years ago, I once failed to turn and crashed into the curb opposite. If I’d not been wearing a full face helmet, I would have had a flat face now because I went, literally, flat on my face. So I kind of learned that lesson early on.

California is a helmet law state.

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

Robin–why do they drive so badly? Is it a cultural thing, or are the traffic laws nuts, or?

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

Thanks, Natalie!

Aug 18th, 2007
Linda R. Moore

Marnia: snorrrrrt! Well if you ever do, I want to see pictures. :)

Aug 18th, 2007