Motorcycle Awareness for the Clueless – Lesson 1

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.