Sometimes it is difficult for those who do not ride motorcycles to understand what it is like to be a motorcyclist. Attitudes and issues vary, but non-riders may find some food for thought once they try to walk a few miles in the rider’s boots.
Understanding the Physical Limitations of Motorcycles
Motorcycles only have two wheels. This translates to less traction. If a car driver cuts sharply in front of a motorcycle, the motorcycle has less ability to stop and may collide.
Approaching intersections gently instead of hurtling up to them and braking hard is less startling to a motorcyclist, who is typically on the defensive, and much less likely to result in a honk. Likewise, tailgating motorcyclists (or anybody) is a foolish, aggressive behavior that serves nobody.
Being lower-down, motorcyclists are more easily blinded by bright headlamps. Most riders flip down their brights when they see an oncoming vehicle; they appreciate the same courtesy.
Understanding How Motorcyclists Ride
Motorcyclists deliberately maintain a space around themselves for safety. Filling that space takes away their safety. Motorcyclists also switch lanes frequently to retain that buffer; they do not do it to annoy.
Motorcyclists are subject to forces like the wind, cold and rain. Car drivers have no such problems. It helps if a car driver can understand that the rider is facing many challenges and makes allowances for such. In wet conditions particularly, he should keep much more of a space between himself and the rider.
Motorcycle indicators are small and not particularly visible. Many riders use “old-fashioned” hand signals. Watch for these, and know what they mean. Additionally, a motorcycle who taps her brake lights several times in quick succession is signaling her intent to slow down.
Attitude Towards Motorcylists
Motorcycling is more physical than most car drivers realize. It may result in mud on the face, messy hair and clothing. Most motorcyclists are not thugs. The driver should take his cue from the attitude of the rider or group, not from prejudice.
To test this theory, the driver could exchange a few words with a lone biker or couple and see what kind of attitude she gets back. Some riders are just naturally dour; most will turn out to be the kind of people you see at church or visit for a cup of coffee. “Where’re you headed?” or “Nice day for a ride!” are common, easy ice-breakers.
There are over six million motorcyclists in the United States, and only a very small proportion are part of violent or rebel motorcycle gangs or are “squids” (showy, irresponsible stunt riders who are as resented by experienced motorcyclists as they are by car drivers).
People who do not ride motorcycles often inflict tactless comments on riders, calling them “donorcyclists” and informing them of all the people they ever knew who had a motorcycle accident. Anybody who has ridden a motorcycle for any length of time has either had an accident, or knows someone who died or was badly injured during motorcycling. They do not need to be informed of their sport’s risks.
