When you do not speed, drink and ride, or go to the left into oncoming traffic, your chances of being in a fatal motorcycle accident are greatly reduced. Following the rules of the road is also a good rule of thumb to stay safe, but this can be more difficult for motorcyclists – especially in traffic. There are many blind spots with vehicles and its far more dangerous for riders when a truck is involved. Not only can we be less visible to drivers, but stop and go traffic can make the bike harder to handle.
We offer 4 tips to ride safely in traffic.
Watch Other Drivers
If surrounding motorists fail to see you, it becomes your responsibility to keep an eye on them. Watching their mirrors and head movements can help you anticipate a sudden maneuver that could knock you down. Especially in congested traffic, a motorcycle can get lost in a car’s blind spot. Keep your head on a swivel to help prevent a tragic accident.
Pick a Side
When traffic slows during rush hour, never position your bike directly behind a vehicle. Many motorists are guilty of speeding up at the first sign of open road, only to slam on the brakes when cars get backed up again. If you stay to the left or right of the vehicle in front of you, there is room to get around if the driver stops short. Rather than slamming into their bumper and risking being thrown from the bike, choose a side to lean towards.
Allow Breathing Room
Much like the safe distance of three seconds for cars, motorcyclists should always leave themselves extra distance to maneuver. New riders will especially find it easier to navigate through heavy traffic when they are not tailgating other drivers. Putting additional space between yourself and the car in front also lets you to better survey what’s going on around you. Is someone weaving through traffic and approaching your lane?
Never Lane Split
Lane splitting is illegal in Connecticut. This is the act of a motorcyclist moving dangerously between cars to reach the front of traffic. Lane splitting is dangerous for several reasons but most importantly, you cannot anticipate what another driver is going to do. Maybe one driver suddenly notices his door is slightly ajar and attempts to fully close it. As their door swings open, it could hit an unsuspecting motorcyclist who has decided to break the law for personal gain. Rather than risk injury or death, patiently wait for the traffic to clear.