Motorcycle Safety - See and be Seen
With that exceptionally long cold winter finally done with, motorcycle season is in full swing. Bikes of all shapes and sizes are cruising down the roadways of Ontario. While a motorcycle is required to follow the rules of the road, we are all well aware of the extra risks associated with mixing smaller less visible motorcycles with larger cars, SUV’s, and transport trucks. A well-trained motorcyclist will always be on the alert for what’s around them, constantly doing blind spot checks and making sure they are visible.
With the risks come the inevitable accidents. Some accidents are due to careless driving behaviour by the motorcycle rider. Some of the bikes out there seem to have the speed limit right at the bottom of the speedometer and they just ‘sound better’ when they are being revved high and fast. Some accidents are due to car drivers not looking or expecting a motorcycle to be there. Driver’s will often report that they didn’t see the motorcycle until the last second. Drivers are distracted enough with managing the traffic and all the controls in the vehicle, and then throw in a beeping cell phone and a small fast weaving motorcycle has a pretty good chance of not being seen.
Motorcycles have a more complicated set of controls than a basic automatic sedan. The clutch is on the left handle, the gear shifter is at the left foot, the front brake on the right handle and the rear brake is at the right foot. There’s a lot for a less experienced rider to concentrate on along with trying to constantly look over your shoulders for drivers that aren’t looking in your direction.
When a car is involved in an accident, the driver is protected by an extensive safety system. Seat belts, air bags, and energy absorbing crush zones help protect an occupant from injury. Newer vehicles are also equipped with arrays of sensors and computer software that can actively avoid a hazard by braking on your behalf or at least wake you up by vibrating the steering wheel. With the coming of autonomous vehicles, the nature of driving is changed completely. A motorcycle does not have the same protections. A rider has a helmet, a good leather jacket, and gloves to separate your skin from the asphalt. Some motorcycles have anti-lock brakes which can help keep the bike from sliding out when having to brake aggressively, but a rider is fully open to the world around them. Injuries can be severe with relatively minor collisions, and there is a much higher chance of a fatality.
Motorcycling is a fun experience and a more efficient method of travel. But riders and drivers alike need to have extra caution and awareness when driving the same roads. Failing to keep watch and understand each other’s intentions on the road can prove to have serious consequences. Keep a safe space around motorcycles. See and be seen. Follow the rules of the road. It’s all common sense, but accidents still happen. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!
