While you may not think much of it, the size of your motorcycle often impacts how other people see you while driving.
From large trucks to mid-sized cars, visibility is one of the most important parts of navigating the road on a motorcycle.
Flow of traffic
According to the United States Department of Transportation, one small mistake in traffic from a car or truck can lead to a motorcycle crash. When a larger vehicle bumps you from behind or the side, you can easily lose your balance and fall to the ground at high speeds.
The size of your vehicle can influence how aware other people are of you while following the flow of traffic. If a larger vehicle does not follow the road rules or attempts to cut in front of you, then you can suffer from serious injuries.
Opened car doors
While riding past a parked car, you may not expect the driver to exit as you go past. However, an unattentive person could fail to notice an approaching motorcycle in their blind spot.
Some people may see cars but fail to see you in the rearview mirrors or simply decide not to check. If this happens, then you may suffer from head or spinal cord injuries from the sudden stop and impact.
Stops and turns
Even when wearing high-visibility gear, you may struggle if a vehicle collides with you as you cross traffic at a light or a stop sign. Since truck drivers sit up higher, they may not immediately see you as they continue on the road.
This can also impact you if they are going over the speed limit since it leaves them less time to slow down. Understanding how visibility works is important for anyone riding a motorcycle.