How Safe is it to Ride a Motorcycle?

jonckie

6 years ago

Often we drive along the highway and out of the blue a monstrous motorcycle will come swinging past us. At that time we might think that we are thankful to be in our cars and that we are safely belted up, especially when we are looking at those bikers precariously perched on those roaring machines. Compared to a car, how safe are motorcycles really?

IS THE PUBLIC PREJUDICED AGAINST MOTORCYCLES?

A motorcycle website named “Riding Safely” says that motorcycles are safer than motorcars, although the writer does acknowledge that motorcycle bikers typically suffer more in a crash compared to drivers that crash in their cars. This is understandably so, seeing motorcyclists are not strapped in and are surrounded by 360 degrees of fresh air. Yet, the counter argument is that all that metal of the car could trap a driver. Many times you will hear about the ‘jaws of life’ being used in car accidents.

The main point is that some of the negative prejudice that might be shown by the public towards the use of motorcycles might be based on rumours and not facts.¹

SAFETY DEPENDS ON THE BIKER OR DRIVER, AND NOT ON THEIR MACHINE

Safety largely depends on the driver and not on the car or motorcycle that is being driven, unless either mode of transport suffers from a mechanical failure. Our reliance on the high level of safety of cars may be misguided if it is not based on actual facts. Motorcyclists tend to face more instances where they need to learn how to avoid danger. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and even the safest car in the hands of a foolish driver can be headed for destruction. It is precisely because a motorcyclist feels particularly vulnerable that he or she takes that extra care when travelling. Competent motorcyclists are in a class of their own, as they are generally more aware of their surroundings.¹

MORE MOTORCYCLISTS DIE THAN MOTORISTS

More motorcyclists die from injuries caused in accidents than motorists, and the reason given for this is that motorcycles attract many young people that still need to hone their skills for riding a bike. The argument in favour of motorcycles being the safer option is that there are many bikers that have been riding motorcycles for decades without any harm coming to them. These bikers must be doing something right, perhaps the younger ones need to take tips from them so that they can also secure a safety record for themselves.¹

MOTORCYCLISTS HAVE BETTER ALL-ROUND VISIBILITY

Although not being able to enjoy 360 degree protection, the motorcyclist, nonetheless, has no blind spots to contend with. The added advantage is that a biker can position his machine to the very left or right of a lane to assess the road ahead, whilst a driver, at best, can only move to the right of a lane. The argument is that the more you can see around you, the more aware you will be of any impending danger, and the more you will be in a position to avoid it.¹

BIKERS HAVE A BETTER CHANCE AT AVOIDING CRASHING

Motorcyclists are in a better position than drivers to avoid crashing into the car in front of them, as they can more easily swerve to the left or shoot into a small space between lanes to try avoid the crash. Cars on the other hand have no option but to crash into the car in front of them. Bikers can typically accelerate out of trouble quicker because of their favourable engine power-to-mass ratio.

DO DRIVERS SUFFER FROM GREATER DISTRACTION THAN BIKERS?

When you consider what a driver can get up to while travelling, it is actually quite amazing that he or she gets there at all. Drivers can be distracted by changing CDs, getting a sandwich out of a packet, chatting away on a cell phone, looking for that packet of cigarettes in the cubby hole, or even having to try and maintain some type of order in the car with children in the back.¹

WHAT CAN DRIVERS DO TO AVOID HITTING BIKERS?

A rider on a motorcycle does not appear to be a huge obstacle like a car appears to be and this tends to make drivers less aware of their presence on the road.²

IS TRAINING OF BIKERS AND DRIVERS RECOMMENDED?

The physical handling of a motorcycle plays a much smaller part compared to the attitude of the rider. When bikers split lanes, which is when they go in between lanes of stationary traffic, about 90% of them are at fault because they are going too fast. Bikers need to be trained to recognize the various types of hazards out there and how to avoid them.^2,3,4

Drivers should also be made aware of how to interact with motorcyclists before being issued with a driver’s licence. Drivers can avoid hazardous situations when interacting with bikers too.

So what is it to be – a motorcycle or a car? That is up to you.

Disclaimer:

This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040 (car insurance and life cover products). The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.

Motorbike Safety through the Eyes of the Instructor https://t.co/vDKcqRQome @motocyclesafety #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/1pKpW51U3V

— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 20, 2017