See and Be Seen - Position for Being Seen
Help Drivers at Intersections See You | Horn |
Though the size of a motorcycle can make it harder for other drivers to spot you, you can make size work to your advantage. A car driver has very little choice about where he positions his car in a lane. However, each marked lane gives a motorcyclist three possible paths of travel, as indicated in the illustration.
Each "mini-lane" is approximately four feet wide. By selecting the appropriate "mini-lane," you can make yourself more easily seen by others on the road.
In general, there is no best position for riders when it comes to being seen, however, no portion of the lane need be avoided-including the center. Some people feel that riding in the center portion is dangerous. They argue that the grease strip which often appears in this portion (formed by droppings from other vehicles) is slippery and will cause riders to fall. Such fears are overblown.
Grease strips are usually no more than two feet wide. Since the center portion of the lane is four feet wide, you can operate to the left or right of the grease strip and still be within the center portion. Unless the road is wet with rain, the average grease strip gives just as much traction as the rest of the pavement. Of course, big build-ups of grease-as may be found at very busy intersections or toll booths-should be avoided.
The main idea of positioning yourself to be seen is this: ride in the portion of the lane where it is most likely that you will be seen. In other words, ride where it will be most difficult for other drivers to miss seeing you. Here are some ways to do this.
[Back to Top]
Stay Out of Blind Spots
Either pass the other vehicle or drop back. When you pass a car, get through the blind spot as quickly as you can. Approach with care. But once you are alongside, speed up and get by quickly.
[Back to Top]
Let the Driver Ahead See You
When behind a car, try to ride where the driver can see you in his rearview mirror: Riding in the center portion of the lane should put your image in the middle of the rearview mirror-where it's most likely to be seen. Riding at the far side of a lane may let you be seen in a sideview mirror. But most drivers don't look at their sideview mirrors nearly as often as they check the rearview mirror.
[Back to Top]Help Drivers at Intersections See You
The most dangerous place for any rider is an intersection. That's where most motorcycle crashes take place. The most common cause of these crashes is that the car driver infringed on the rider's right-of-way.
The best way to increase your chances of being seen as you approach an intersection usually is to ride in the portion of the lane that gives the best view of oncoming traffic and with your lights on. As you enter the intersection, position yourself to provide a space cushion all around you that allows you to take evasive action.
If you are approaching a blind intersection, it is best to move to the portion of the lane that will bring you into another driver's field of sight at the earliest possible moment. In the picture below, the rider has moved to the left portion of the lane -a way from the parked car-so the driver on the cross street can see him as soon as possible.
Remember, the key is to see as much as possible. This will usually make you as visible as possible while protecting your space.
[Back to Top]Horn
Get your thumb on the horn button and be ready to use it whenever you need to get someone's attention.
It is a good idea to give a quick beep before you pass anyone you think may move into your lane. Here are some situations.
- A driver in the lane next to you is getting too close to the vehicle ahead and may want to pass.
- A parked car has someone in the driver's seat.
- Someone is in the street, riding a bicycle or walking.
In an emergency, a warning beep won't be enough. Blast the horn in a true emergency and be ready to slow or turn away from the danger.
The two biggest dangers facing you as a rider are:
- oncoming cars that turn left in front of you
- cars on side streets that pull out into your lane.
No matter what you do, you can't guarantee that others will see you. The only eyes you can really count on are your own. A good rider is always "looking for trouble"-not to get into it, but to stay out of it.
Return to top of page
Motorcycle Operator Manual Table of Contents
Previous Page in Manual
Next Page in Manual
