Even if a driver sees you, why are you still not always safe?

Even if a driver sees you, why are you still not always safe?

• A. You should ride on the sidewalk.
• B. Drivers always yield to motorcycles.
• C. Motorcycles may appear farther away or traveling slower, causing misjudgment.
• D. You can rely on airbags to protect you.

Answer: (C)

Seeing you doesn't guarantee safety because drivers can misjudge your distance or speed. A motorcycle’s smaller size can make it look farther away or traveling slower than it actually is, so a driver may pull in front of you, merge, or turn without realizing how close you are. This perceptual error is why you must assume others might not see you clearly and act proactively: stay in a position where you’re easy to spot, give yourself extra space, signal early, and keep your speed and lane position predictable so you’re visible and predictable to others. Relying on airbags isn’t a safety factor for a rider on a motorcycle, and sidewalks are not a safe or legal riding area. While drivers should yield, you can’t count on that happening every time.

Seeing you doesn't guarantee safety because drivers can misjudge your distance or speed. A motorcycle’s smaller size can make it look farther away or traveling slower than it actually is, so a driver may pull in front of you, merge, or turn without realizing how close you are. This perceptual error is why you must assume others might not see you clearly and act proactively: stay in a position where you’re easy to spot, give yourself extra space, signal early, and keep your speed and lane position predictable so you’re visible and predictable to others. Relying on airbags isn’t a safety factor for a rider on a motorcycle, and sidewalks are not a safe or legal riding area. While drivers should yield, you can’t count on that happening every time.