Motorcyclists

Defensive riding for motorcyclists

Junctions

One of the most common accident types is when another vehicle crosses the motorcyclist's path to enter or leave a side road.

At roundabouts, the most common accident type is when another vehicle enters the roundabout in the path of a motorcyclist already on the roundabout. Over 1 in 5 of all motorcycle accidents are of this type, where the motorcyclist has right of way.

Tips

• Plan ahead when approaching junctions
• Be aware of vehicles waiting to enter the main road, or approaching it along a side road, and be prepared to stop and take evasive action
• In urban areas, look out for vehicles emerging from driveways
• Anticipate the presence of drives/side roads concealed from view by bends, vegetation or vehicles ahead
• Ensure that you are as visible as possible to other drivers. As narrow vehicles, motorcycles can be easily overlooked, and can be completely hidden from view by street furniture
• Choose appropriate speeds on approaches to junctions. A driver emerging from a side road cannot give way to a motorcyclist who cannot yet be seen, but who appears at high speed before the manoeuvre is completed

 

Overtaking

About 1 in 5 of motorcyclist accidents involve overtaking.  Many accidents involve motorcyclists passing stationary or slow moving vehicles e.g. in traffic queues where another vehicle pulls out across the motorcyclist's path. Other overtaking incidents are when the vehicle to be overtaken turns right into the path of the motorcyclist.

Tips

• Be as visible as possible to other drivers
• Anticipate that other drivers may not have seen you and be prepared for their actions
• Do not overtake near side roads or where cars may emerge from private drives; or do so with caution
• Be aware of oncoming vehicles that may turn right across your path

Bends

About 1 in 4 motorcycle accidents occur on bends.

Tips

• Ensure your speed is appropriate to negotiate the bend without losing control, taking account of the road surface condition
• Anticipate hazards that may be concealed by the bend and be able to stop in time to avoid them

The public information film Perfect Day highlights the importance of expecting the unexpected. Aimed at a leisure motorcycling audience, it was produced in 2004 and has been one of THINK!'s most popular public information films. Watch Perfect Day and other motorcyle campaign films.

This page was last updated on 1 March 2010