by Mike Mccarthy

Created on: March 07, 2009

Think Bike! Has long been a media warning to car drivers in the UK. It is officialdom's angle on increasing car driver awareness towards motorbikes. The message is a good one, as car drivers should always be aware of motorcycles on the road, visible ones and those they have not yet seen.

The first thing to remember is that as a motorcycle is much smaller than a car, they are not immediatly seen, particularly at a distance and if the light is not good. Not all motorcyclists have their headlights on to help you see them during daylight hours. It takes hardly any time at all to pause just for a moment at a junction or turning, to make sure there are no bikes about. Remember bikes are travelling at normal traffic speeds too, dont assume that there is time to pull out safely, know there is time to pull out.

Too many motorists do not give a motorcyclist enough room when overtaking them. How often have you seen a car try to quickly nip past a bike that is sitting between the middle of the lane and the kerb? It's worth noting that when overtaking such a motorcycle, that your slipstream when overtaking will buffet the rider and he could lose control of the bike, even if you haven't actually hit him with your car. Overtake a bike as you would another car, giving plenty of room and making sure oncoming traffic isn't a danger to you or the motorcyclist while you are overtaking.

Make sure, particularly in the wet, that you provide as much space between your vehicle and a motorbike as you would any other vehicle. When stopped in traffic, we all should be able to see the wheels of the vehicle in front, if you can't you are too close. Motorbikes in the wet often have longer braking distances and this is something to be remembered. Also, if the surface you are driving on feels a little slippery, bear a thought for the motorcyclist, who only has two wheels to balance on, this may be the reason why the bike in front is going a little slowly, don't get impatient with him.

particularly in the UK, smaller motorcycles have their speeds regulated, this is certainly true for any that are displaying an 'L' plate. Again, show some patience as not only is the rider limited to how fast he can go, but he is a learner too. Learner bikers are out there on their own, learning, without the help of a more experienced motorist, give them lots of space as well as your patience, it might be their first time out.

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