Most people are aware of the inherent difficulties that arise when cars and motorcycles share the same roads. Both cars and motorbikes are motor vehicles, but they move and operate in very different ways. The fact that motorcycle riders are most at risk often frames the discussion around what they can do to stay safe. However, just as both cars and motorcycles share the road, so do drivers of each share responsibility for each other’s safety. Car drivers need to consider motorcycle riders’ safety just as much as the riders do their own. Thankfully, you can help to promote a safer experience for everyone by observing a few simple practices.
Different Danger Levels
According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the chances of fatalities for motorcycle accidents are a full 22 times higher than for people in cars. In 2024, 104 motorcyclists died just in the state of Kentucky. This generally suggests that if you see someone on a bike, they’ll be more alert and aware than you are. But at the same time, there’s a good reason for that alertness. They’re in significant danger just by being on the road. That risk goes up due to the fact that they’re surrounded by drivers who have less to fear if an accident were to occur.
It’s best to keep that outlook in mind when sharing the road. What feels like a normal drive to you can feel like a battlefield to someone on a bike. It’s not just a matter of keeping your eye on the motorcycle, either. You need to consider that they’re more on edge, so try to be more careful with your driving. Use your turn signals more promptly than you might otherwise, keep a more significant distance between yourself and the bike, and in general, try to respond more promptly to their needs to convey the fact that you’re paying attention to them.
Environmental Awareness
Have you ever just drifted off and somehow wound up at your destination when you were behind the wheel? The phenomenon is still being studied, but everyone’s experienced it now and then. The highway distraction is easy to fall into, but also fairly easy to avoid. Trying to fight off those altered states is especially important since your reaction speed to unexpected elements is going to be much slower when you’re driving in a distracted manner. That’s exactly the kind of thing that puts motorcycle riders in danger. People are especially at risk of drifting off when they’re driving a familiar route that doesn’t typically feature much variety. Try to think of a way to keep your mind active, such as with upbeat music, the next time you realize you’ve been down a road so many times that you hardly pay attention anymore.
The Noise Is a Feature, Not a Bug
Most people who don’t ride a motorcycle find the noise rather obnoxious. But motorbikes are loud for a reason. In fact, motorcycles are so loud that they’re comparable to a chainsaw for sheer audible intensity. The fact that bikes are loud is a mixed blessing. The main benefit comes from the fact that people in cars, even with windows rolled up and music playing, will hear a bike. However, there’s also a significant downside to a motorcycle’s noise level.
People riding a bike are in the middle of the noise and might not be able to hear and thus promptly react to traffic. The issue is further compounded by the noise of the wind and the impact of a helmet. Make sure to note a bike’s location when you hear its engine. That’s a warning sign to be more alert as the rider approaches. But at the same time, keep in mind that the motorcycle rider may be less able to hear you. Don’t assume that someone on a bike can hear and react to the other noises around you as well as you can. For example, you might slow down the moment you hear a siren, while someone on a bike might take longer to hear it and thus to react.