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What a motorist should know about motorcyclists (who knows that motorbikes need more space to dodge than cars?) Is rarely learned in detail in the driving school. Driver training for cars is often limited to the essentials (which is not meant as a reproach! Too much information would be overwhelming at the beginning of your own car driver career). But at some point you might want to know more about WHY certain behaviors appear every day in motorcyclists. We have briefly introduced and explained eleven typical behaviors for you.
The motorcycle just behind the car – “Tell me how you ride and I’ll tell you who you are”
If you want to know if you are dealing with an experienced and / or risk-conscious motorcyclist, just watch how he drives behind your car. Not only will the careful motorcyclist keep a good distance, but also drive either left or right (roughly at the height of their tires when viewed from behind). This means that the motorcyclist can avoid them on the right or left - for example, in the event of an abrupt emergency braking on your part. Beginners or, unfortunately, often too carefree two-wheelers keep no distance and ride very centrally. In the event of an emergency stop, there is no space for evasive maneuvers.
Curves on mountain roads
Especially in the Alpine region it can happen that a motorcyclist stops and waits BEFORE the bend or lets you drive past in your car. The motorcyclist wants to make sure that he has free travel in the bend and that there is no oncoming traffic, because even with steep curves in the mountains it is not always possible for motorcyclists to stop in the bend. In order not to get into a dangerous situation unnecessarily, numerous motorcyclists give priority to the rest of the traffic here.
Often underestimated - the larger avoidance radius
Many road users are not aware that motorcycles need more space to maneuver than cars. On the one hand, this is because the inclined position in the curve causes the driver's upper body to protrude further into the road or oncoming lane. On the other hand, compared to a car, a motorcyclist cannot make such abrupt changes in steering direction at high speeds. Ultimately, your own body weight has to be shifted and the motorcycle has to be brought out of a “stable” state (keyword: inertia of the mass), which costs valuable milliseconds (and therefore distance on the road). This effect usually doesn't play a role in “normal traffic conditions” – but it does in dangerous situations.
Mostly well observed - very agile at low speeds
What is a disadvantage at high speeds becomes an advantage at low speeds. Especially in the city or in tight situations at low speeds, motorcyclists can often find a gap. This may not always be in accordance with the rules (motorcyclists may only drive through the emergency lane in the event of a traffic jam in extreme situations, for example in extreme heat to the NEXT stop), but it happens regularly.
No power on the highway - the car dominates from 130km / h
Although many motorcycles are heavily motorized and the touring enduros (basically the “SUV of motorcycles”) and heavy touring tourers, which have been very popular over the last two decades, can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h without any problems, there are still many relatively small machines on the streets of the republic. These are usually designed in such a way that they leave any normal motorized car far behind at speeds of up to around 100-130 km/h, but they “run out of breath” at higher speeds. Knowing this is important for you as a driver because motorcyclists on the highway usually have two options in dangerous situations (or when they become apparent): accelerate or brake. Drivers of more powerful vehicles will usually drive AWAY from the danger zone - whereas with weaker machines (or heavily loaded!) there is only one option: brake. A quick look at the overall external impression of the motorcycle can help to anticipate possible reactions from the motorcyclist - so that you yourself don't get into trouble.
Slalom riders on the road - attract attention
If you have a motorcyclist in front of or behind you who is driving a few slaloms around imaginary obstacles on your own side of the road, there can be two reasons. First, sporty motorcyclists try to bring their tires up to operating temperature before the vehicle is fully extended. Secondly - mostly more often - the motorcyclist tries to get the attention of another road user. Due to the back and forth, the motorcycle is more noticeable and the careless oncoming traffic, for example, notices that it shouldn't graze the oncoming lane after all.
Collisions with the motorcycle can also be fatal to motorists
In the event of an accident, you as a driver are by no means always better off than a motorcyclist. Although the cyclist is usually more likely to suffer serious or even life-threatening injuries than you are, that does not mean that you should “recklessly” accept an accident. A typical motorcycle weighs between 100-400 kg – without a driver. If such a projectile hits your vehicle at 100 km/h, you will desperately need every bit of crumple zone. Accidents involving motorcycles in oncoming traffic in particular can be absolutely fatal for both motorcycle riders AND car drivers.
Motorbike braking distances
As a rule, a motorcyclist needs just as much space as his counterpart behind the wheel of a car to bring his vehicle to a stop. This route tends to be a little longer. Although a motorcycle can be brought to a stop comparatively quickly in certain road traffic situations, the braking distance increases significantly, especially on wet or dirty roads. A main problem is that the driver can “if necessary” “slide further” on the road within certain limits if the tires lock. The motorcyclist will try to avoid this if possible, as it always means a fall. In case of doubt, less (comparable) braking power is available to him.
Assessment made difficult - the speed
Our brain is well conditioned by daily traffic. “Actually” we humans cannot naturally estimate speeds. In practice, we compensate for this with experience and the resulting intuition. Since motorcycles are smaller than cars (which is particularly noticeable at a distance) and are simply less common in traffic throughout the year, we are usually less experienced at estimating their speed. Therefore, if in doubt, it is better to leave a little more leeway when turning etc. if a motorcycle appears to be coming far behind in oncoming traffic. It could be moving much faster than it seems.
The motorcycle attracts risky riders
Even if not all motorcyclists (especially the “sensible ones”) like to hear this: the motorcycle is and remains one of the most cost-effective ways to move a very mobile and fast vehicle on the roads. Naturally, this attracts – also, but not exclusively – people who have a significantly higher propensity to take risks. If the “rush of speed” clouds the motorcyclist's head, dangerous situations can quickly arise in which the driver completely misjudges the situation and causes an accident. If in doubt, drivers should simply let the “speeder” pass. Remember from the section above that even a seemingly “light” motorcycle can be dangerous for you as a driver. Under no circumstances should you take part in “races” with cyclists! Even if you “win”, this can result in a prison sentence in addition to high fines if an accident occurs (keyword: partial guilt). The rule of thumb is: careful and level-headed drivers wear a high-visibility vest, do not have a black visor, keep enough distance and do not attempt any risky overtaking maneuvers. However, if they are overtaking, for example, they will use the full power of their vehicle and quickly pass them in order to get out of the danger zone as quickly as possible.
Sometimes turning like a truck
Every driver knows the situation: a truck wants to turn right and first swerves a little to the left (possibly even into the opposite lane) in order to even get around the curve. Similar situations also occur with motorcycles - but for a different reason. As with cycling, the motorcyclist wants to choose an angle that is as obtuse as possible in order to be able to cross a lowered curb or tram tracks, for example. An angle that is too acute could result in a fall. That's why in such situations the motorcyclist has to swing a little in the opposite direction before “actually turning” in order to get a more obtuse angle. For you as a driver, this means, especially in big city traffic: If in doubt, if there is a motorcycle turning, it is better NOT to drive past it on the left or right, even if you have the option.
Conclusion
There is a lot that you as a driver should know about motorcyclists (who knows that many motorcyclists intentionally leave their suitcases mounted on their vehicle as a “crumple zone” in the event of accidents, even if they are not currently needed?). Greater mutual understanding on the road contributes to everyone's safety. With the eleven points mentioned above, you can (hopefully) defuse many potentially dangerous situations from the outset. If in doubt, the rule of thumb still applies: It's better to keep a little more distance and reach your destination in a relaxed manner.
