Comments on MSF's Motorist Awaremess Tips

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has published some "tips" for automobile drivers. The tips are pretty good - and - I can't resist commenting on them. There was only one that irked me because the phrasing wasn't helpful to the reader. If you know someone who is getting their automobile learner's permit, it would be a kindness to share this with them.

QUICK TIPS: Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don’t “recognize” a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

There are more scooters (and trikes) on the road these days. The people riding the scooters typically wear no protection at all except in the states that have a helmet law. Who is riding those scooters? High school kids, your Aunt Martha, your Grandpa Roberto (he had a Vespa when he was a boy). Look for anything that might come across your path, including runners, motorized wheelchairs, bicyclists, scooters, and motorcyclists.

2. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

So if you are gauging your speed to cut across a lane or two of traffic thinking that you'll be where you want to be in plenty of time before that motorcyclist is there, don't do it! You'll scare the heck out of the rider who perceives that you are deliberately trying to broadside her!

3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you’re changing lanes or turning at intersections.

Remember, Your son's girl-friend, a new rider, is riding home and right now she could be in your blind spot.

4. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don’t assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.

When I'm merging onto highway I often find myself blocked by a car driver who is hanging back a bit in the lane I want to merge into. The driver is assuming I'm going to dive into the lane and is trying to be a nice person. But, they aren't far enough back for me to feel safe crossing into the lane, and they are close enough to be a hazard if I were to go for it. So there's this awkward moment which becomes increasingly awkward until I've got a sense of who is going to do what.

5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

Truth be told, my front brake squeals like a pig that someone is trying to put lipstick on. It embarrasses me (the squealing). I downshift more than I brake anyway because I like to listen to the sound of the engine. At intersections I have to remind myself to touch my brakes so that the person in back of me will see that I'm slowing down.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle’s signal is for real.

This is the tip that irked me. I don't know how an automobile driver can determine whether any driver/rider's signal is "for real". How many times have you been behind a car whose driver is unaware that their turn signal is on? How do you determine that the signal is "for real" or not? We observe and make a judgment. The same applies to motorcyclists. Heaven knows - it took me more than a year to learn to cancel my turn signals. On long rides I don't want to think of the number of times I've discovered my turn signal still going.

7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

True. I may be changing my position in my lane because the driver of the car I'm passing is talking on a cell phone - you may want to pay attention to that driver, too.

8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle’s better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don’t expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

Just as "dodging" (children, balls, dogs) is not something car drivers want to be doing, neither do I want to be dodging a dodging car on my motorcycle.

9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can’t always stop “on a dime.”

Unlike a car that will (most likely) stay upright even if comes to a screeching halt, a new rider (one who hasn't had much experience with panic stops) could lose her balance and fall over if she has to stop more quickly than expected.

10. When a motorcycle is in motion, don’t think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

Think of the rider as your neighbor who takes care your pets while you are on vacation, your work colleague who always makes you laugh, your female family member who is finally doing what she has always wanted to do, ride a motorcycle.