During the height of Spring and Summer, vacation season is at its peak and there are more and more vehicles on the road. It’s even more imperative for cars, trucks, and buses to drive safely and look out for cyclists and motorcyclists. Every biker needs room to operate and have a safe ride.
There are measures to keep the highways and byways safe for everyone. Cellphone use should always be hands free and should never distract your eyes from the road. We bikers have to remain focused at all times. We have to know what’s in front of us, what’s behind us, how much cushion we have if we need to stop suddenly and an escape route just in case the vehicle behind us doesn’t. Remain sober, alert, and even enlist the aid of your passengers to look out for bikers as well. Stress the importance of safe driving practices to the younger and inexperienced drivers. Be extra cautious at all intersections by slowing down and remaining aware. Be cautious when opening the doors of your parked vehicle because it could potentially be a hazard to an oncoming biker.
Areas undergoing road construction can pose unforeseen danger to bikers as well. Try to keep the volume to your stereo or phone at a reasonable volume. You may not always be able to see a biker, but chances are you can hear them. Lastly, give more room than usual during inclement weather. Riding in bad weather is already challenging enough. Cyclists and Motorcyclists want to safely share the road and be seen. We’re unprotected–statistics for serious accidents are ever present and unfortunately on the rise, but when we safely share the road, everyone wins and everyone arrives at their destination safely.
Charles R. Butts Jr. 