Spring has finally arrived and with it, so has Motorcycle Awareness Month. I do my best to promote Motorcycle Awareness year-round, and over the last 12 months I have tried to use this article to really focus my efforts and help readers (and riders) get involved in Motorcycle Awareness and safety promotion.

 

In case you missed some of my previous articles, here are a few of the things I recommend you, as a motorcyclist, can do to promote Motorcycle Awareness and safety: get your CY motorcycle endorsement; take a certified rider training course to refresh your memory and learn new riding skills; join a local motorcycle club or group; join an advocacy group like ABATE in your area; get a bumper sticker, lawn sign, or other physical reminder for drivers to Watch for Motorcycles; support changes to the law that improve motorcycle safety (like Nathan's Law, which took effect this year); and finally, talk it up: tell everyone you meet to be Motorcycle-Aware, and use social media to encourage your friends and contacts to Watch for Motorcycles on the roads.

 

This year, I wanted to do something different. I believe that as motorcyclists, there is only so much we can do to protect ourselves from crashes on the road. After that, it's up to vehicle drivers to ensure they are watching out for us and helping us survive the ride. So, I have created a list of six tips for vehicle drivers remind them to Watch for Motorcyclists. Tear this page out and share it. Post it at your office. Send copies to your friends and family. Give the list to the parents on your kids soccer team. Share the tips on social media. Contact me (writer@lawyerforlife.com) or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/THEmotorcyclelawyer) to request a copy of the list. Whatever it takes to get this list out to vehicle drivers and, hopefully, improve Motorcycle Awareness.

 

#1: See the motorcyclist. That bike isn't riding itself! There is a human being on the back of that bike, someone with a family and people who care about them. Look for them and remember that you have a role in helping to keep them safe.

 

#2: Watch for Motorcycles. Look Twice, Save a Life. Motorcycles are Everywhere.  Whatever the slogan, the message is clear: look for motorcycles every time you are on the road. Check your mirrors, your blind spots, scan the horizon carefully, and once you've done all that, do it again. Remember, it's been a long, cold winter and you may not be used to seeing motorcycles on the road. That's why it's even more important to make the extra effort to watch for them. Also, listen up! Motorcycles can be loud. In addition to scanning with your eyes, turn down your radio and listen with your ears.

 

#3: Approach intersections with caution. Most motorcycle-vehicle crashes happen at intersections, many because the vehicle driver tries to turn right in front of the motorcyclist. When approaching an intersection, slow down and be mindful. It can be difficult for a vehicle driver to judge a motorcycle's speed, so don't try and turn in front of the bike. Wait it out; you'd never forgive yourself if you killed a motorcyclist because you didn't want to wait a few extra seconds at an intersection.

 

#4: Signal your intentions and be predictable. This is just a good driving rule in general: use your signals so motorcyclists and other drivers know what you're planning to do next. Being predictable can make a huge difference in preventing crashes.

 

#5: Make space! Unlike a car or truck, there is no such thing as a fender-bender with a motorcycle… even the slightest contact could kill the motorcyclist. Don't risk it. Back off and help keep everyone safe. (This is a good rule to follow with other vehicles too…) Also, don't crowd a motorcyclist! We have the right to use the whole lane, just like a car or truck. Debris in the road that wouldn't affect a car or truck can be a real problem on a motorcycle, so be sure to give them plenty of room to move side-to-side within the lane to avoid obstacles.

 

#6: PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY. No really, put it away. Put it in the glove box. Leave it in your purse or your pocket. Turn it off in the car. Whatever it takes to make sure your hands stay on the wheel and your eyes stay on the road, watching for motorcyclists. Your distracted driving is extremely dangerous, especially to bikers. Just fading over the line a little bit, or not stopping in time because you're busy "LOLing", could cost a motorcyclist's life. It's not worth it.

 

Obviously, there's no way to cover everything that vehicle drivers can and should do in order to protect motorcyclists in a single list, and there are no guarantees that following this list will definitely prevent motorcyclist deaths. However, if vehicle drivers make the extra effort to be Motorcycle-Aware, and go out of their way to Watch for Motorcycles and protect bikers on the road, it's a positive change.

 

Please, this Motorcycle Awareness Month, do your best to get the message out: Watch for Motorcycles… you could save a life!