If you are a New Yorker and you have never driven a motorcycle, it can be hard to get in the mind of a rider and realize how much they rely on other drivers to keep them safe. If car drivers, truck drivers, pedestrians and motorcyclists work together, the roads are safer for everyone. Drive-Safely.net has some tips to help drivers safely maneuver around motorcycles and how to show courtesy that allows them to stay safe and alive.
An extensive number of motorcycle vs. car accidents happen in intersections when a car or truck turns in front of a biker. It is suggested that before you turn left, you double-check to make sure that the coast is clear. Once you have checked for other vehicles, check one more time for motorcycles as they are smaller and are often harder to see.
Sometimes bike riders will weave from side to side within their lane. Although it may seem like it, they are not doing this just for entertainment. As you are driving a car, think about what happens when you hit a pothole. The bump may jar the vehicle or even ruin your alignment, but for a motorcycle rider, a pothole can mean serious injury or even death. In some ways, roads are like obstacle courses for riders, and drivers should give them room to swerve when necessary.
Finally, drivers should be more aware during the warmer months. In the spring, summer and fall, drivers are more aware of pedestrians and kids out on the streets, and that courtesy should extend to bike riders. As bikers can only go so far to protect themselves, it is the job of every driver on the road to help keep them safe.
This is intended for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice.