Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 11
May 22, 2014
Lesson 11: Roaring Engines Double as Warnings
For some drivers, it can be quite jarring to hear a motorcycle loudly rev up next to them in traffic. Sometimes bikers are simply showing off their engines, however, other times this loud noise can double as a warning when used in moving traffic.
Since many motorcycle horns aren’t nearly as loud as the engines they sit upon, motorcyclists sometimes rev up their engines to make enough noise for other drivers to know that they are there. This can be an effective technique when people in cars and trucks try to change lanes while the biker is in their blind spot.
So, if you hear an engine roar and a biker quickly ride past you, don’t be offended, and don’t take it as an invitation to drag race. This is simply a way of being noticed, and thereby avoiding getting run over by trucks and cars on the road.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 10
May 21, 2014
Lesson 10: Why You Should Always Look Before Opening Your Door
Finding a place to park can be difficult at times, especially downtown where everyone wants to work & play. So when you finally find that coveted parking spot, carefully maneuvre into place with your parallel parking skills, and find your change for the meter, you may feel like it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief and rejoice in the conclusion of your downtown driving struggle. However, there is one last measure you must take before exiting the vehicle: CHECK FOR MOVING TRAFFIC BEFORE OPENING THE DOOR!
Opening your car door at the wrong time could cause serious damage if struck by another car or truck, and opening your car door when a motorcycle is passing by could cause serious injury or even death. So, prevent this unfortunate accident from happening by checking twice before exiting your vehicle.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 9
May 19, 2014
Lesson 9: Motorcycle Clubs Are Not Criminal Gangs
Contrary to popular belief, motorcycle clubs (MC’s) are not criminal gangs. In fact, as a whole, the motorcycle community donates more to the needy than any law enforcement agency in the United States. Bikers giving to charities might not make a great plot for Sons of Anarchy, but it’s a lot closer to the truth than any TV show. So, look twice to save a life, because that biker might just be donating to a cause that could one day save you.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 8
May 16, 2014
Lesson 8: Don’t leave it all up to the mirrors
When changing lanes, a driver should never rely solely on side and rear view mirrors. A blind spot exists on every vehicle, big or small, and nothing short of a full glance over the shoulder can ensure a safe lane change. Even if you think your mirror positioning is so perfect it can detect everything, chances are you won’t be able to spot a motorcycle in your blind spot. So always be sure to take a quick look over the shoulder, hit the blinker, and change lanes safely!
A big THANK YOU! to Bikers Against Texting for the picture-perfect image of this age-old lesson. Be sure give these guys a like in support of the cause.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 6
May 13, 2014
Lesson 6: Don’t Throw Anything Out the Window!
First of all, trash should never go out the window. Littering is both illegal and immoral. That’s a no-brainer. However, drivers also ditch compostable food such as fruits and vegetables, as well as dump out their ice or drinks while driving.
Now, imagine what might happen if your leftover ice or thrown-out banana peel landed in front of an unassuming biker. Anything that goes out the window poses a big threat to motorcyclists behind you, whether it hits them or lands on the ground and becomes a road hazard.
Another dangerous and often-unconsidered hazard is cigarette butts. Drivers often flick these out the window without a second thought, and they have been known to get stuck in motorcycle helmets or worse (for those riding without a visor or no helmet at all). Besides the risk to motorcyclists behind you, cigarette butts can also cause wildfires.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Hill Country Driving Tips
May 11, 2014
Lesson 5: Hill Country Driving Tips
The weather is beautiful and the spring flowers are out, so take the scenic route safely with these hill country driving tips!
Curvy, hilly, winding country roads are a biker’s natural habitat. The killer combination of low traffic and natural hill country beauty make them ideal for summer rides. When driving on these scenic routes, it would be wise to learn a few tips about motorcycle awareness.
The hill country landscape is a tricky one. Tight curves and hills are great at blocking your view. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain your lane and take extra caution when making left-hand turns.
Driving slowly always makes the road safer. Take this critical tip to heart when driving through the hill country, since narrow roads and low-speed curves can be especially dangerous. Some motorcyclists tend to veer very close to the center stripe when they misjudge a curve… as do plenty of cars. So, it’s always best to just take it easy and drive a little slower.
Finally, when driving behind bikers, be sure to give them plenty of space. The blocked views from hills and curves can result in sudden deceleration, and since motorcycles can slow down much quicker than cars, drivers should always allow plenty of following distance.
Now mind those winding roads and have a safe drive!
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 3
May 9, 2014
Lesson 3: Are their brake lights out?
Have you ever noticed that most motorcycles slow down with no visual warning (brake light)? You might have been in traffic, or pulled up to a stoplight, and wondered “Why didn’t that biker’s brake lights turn on? Are they busted?”.
More than likely, their brake lights work just fine, they just aren’t using their brakes. Most bikers avoid using their brakes when slowing down or approaching an intersection. Instead, they utilize a downshifting strategy to reduce speed, and therefore have no need for brakes or brake lights.
So, the next time you find yourself driving behind a motorcycle make sure you give them plenty of space. Since most drivers have been conditioned to respond to brake lights, it can more difficult to notice a biker’s deceleration without the bright red lights there as a warning.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 2
May 8, 2014
Lesson 2: Deadly Left-Hand Turns
Left-hand turns account for more than half of two-vehicle motorcycle collisions, and result in many motorcycle fatalities each year. Due to limited visibility, motorcycles – as well as cyclists and pedestrians – are at a much higher risk when passing through intersections. For this reason, always be sure to take extra caution when making a left hand turn.
Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 1
May 7, 2014
Lesson 1: Why is that scary biker honking at me?
One day, you were driving down the road, minding your own business, when suddenly you heard a motorcycle engine roar, a horn honk, and looked over to see a leather-clad biker passing you with startling speed. At the time, you might have wondered, “Why is that scary biker honking at me?”
Well, first of all, the biker isn’t scary just because he/she is wearing leather. Tough leather jackets help protect motorcyclists from road rash in the event of a crash. But, to answer the initial question: most bikers honk at cars to let them know they are there. The motorcyclist may be trying to escape your blind spot, hence the honking and quick acceleration. Simple as that.
So, the next time you hear a honk and notice it is a motorcycle passing you by, politely share the road and give that conscientious biker a friendly wave.