With more motorcyclists back on the road after a blustery winter, many motorists are unaware of their presence, which often leads to injuries—if not death.
Matthew Robinson, a seasoned motorcyclist, was the victim of one of these accidents, and after two surgeries he’s back on his bike. Robinson was sent 50 feet through the air after being struck by a distracted driver while riding, and he’s lucky to be alive.
Robinson now has some advice for riders and motorists alike.
His first two tips are for current and aspiring bikers. The first one would be the age-old biker saying of “Loud pipes save lives.” Having people notice you, even if that means riding a flashy and disturbingly loud bike or sporting highly visible riding gear, is essential.
The second tip is to simply creating space on the road. It’s a simple fact that most people on the road don’t pay attention while driving, whether they’re on their phone or just zoned out. These drivers are amplified when on a bike. Removing yourself from small pockets in traffic, or just flat-out staying away from everything, is the safest bet.
Riders often cut in front of people at stop lights or weave in and out of traffic, and many motorists think they’re reckless for doing so, but in reality they’re just creating space.
One of the best things a motorist can do is not drive distracted. For example, while drivers are told to look three to five seconds ahead, for riders it’s three times that. A distraction could be a phone, music, homework, eating, drinking, or even applying makeup.
A crash on a motorcycle is not the same as in a car. A sixty-kilometre-per-hour crash in a car often results in damage to the vehicle. However, sixty kilometers per hour on a bike could permanently alter someone’s life, or worse.
Running a yellow light can be exceptionally dangerous due to the speed and size of bikes that seem to “come out of nowhere.” Not only are riders more vulnerable to the elements, ranging from rain to bugs, but they often have to avoid life-threatening situations due to other drivers’ careless driving.
As you enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine, be sure to check your blind spots, don’t drive distracted, and look twice for bikes that could appear in the blink of an eye.
