Wales by Bike

There are many more cars, vans and lorries on our roads than motorcycles and drivers' attitudes towards motorcyclists vary considerably. Most fail, often unintentionally, to anticipate the behaviour of a motorcyclist or the fact that they are actually on the road.

Sadly motorcyclists are 45 times more likely to be killed than a car driver and the figures are rising. As a motorist, you can help lower this statistic by becoming more motorcycle aware.

• Be alert - motorcycles can be on any road at any time so always be on the look out for them, particularly at junctions or when overtaking or changing lanes
• Assume that a motorcycle is much closer than it actually is - because of its size, it may look further away
• Don't forget your shoulder checks - regularly look in your mirrors and over your shoulder in the blind spot before merging or changing lanes
• Keep your windows clean - motorcycles can be masked by outside objects such as bushes and fences so dirty windows won't help with visibility
• Don't tailgate - drive at a safe distance and allow more stopping distance behind a motorcycle
• Give motorcycles enough room - they may be smaller but when overtaking, give them as much space as you would a car and remember they need a full lane to ride
• It's difficult to judge a motorcycle's speed and it may seem to be moving faster than it really is
• Motorcyclists will change their position within a lane for a reason not to show off or annoy you - sometimes they need to be seen more easily or they have to deal with debris, passing vehicles or weather conditions
• Be extra vigilant in the dark - it can be more difficult to see a motorcyclist at night, particularly if it's in front of a larger vehicle
  

Remember, you're bigger than them.