Think!

Motorcyclists and car drivers both have a responsibility to keep each other safe on the road. THINK! offers advice and tips, as well as information on further training at the THINK! Motorcycle Academy website. Some of the most important information is below.

Motorcyclists

The roads are getting more crowded, and the pressure is increasing to make sure that you do not put yourselves or others at risk. The following pointers will help keep you and other road users safe.

Expect the unexpected. Drivers often fail to notice motorcyclists. So it's best to always ride with the expectation that you won't be seen, and to be alert and observant and keep an eye out for other vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.

Make yourself visible. Wear a light or brightly coloured helmet and fluorescent clothing or strips when riding in daylight and reflective clothing or strips when riding in the dark.

Get your positioning right. Position yourself in the most visible place, usually the middle of the lane. Take up your road position in good time before turning right or left, showing others what you aim to do. Remember that dipped headlights can also help increase your visibility.

Take care when overtaking. Can you see hazards? Is there a bend or junction? Can you overtake without speeding up or swerving too much? Before you overtake, take a lifesaver glance over your shoulder and check what others around you are doing.

Look after your gear - and it'll look after you. To protect yourself, wear the right clothes - leathers, gloves, boots and most importantly, a safety helmet that fits.

Don't buy second-hand kit - you don't know where it's from or what's been done to it; chances are it won't protect you properly if you have a crash.

You can now easily assess how much protection a motorcycle helmet can offer in an impact. The Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme (SHARP) rates helmets from 1 to 5 stars. The more SHARP stars a helmet has, the better protection it can give. Check the SHARP website for a list of all helmets rated.

Dress for the weather. Be prepared for the weather to change. Take waterproofs and visor wipes for that sudden downpour – an uncomfortable ride can distract you from hazards.

Keep your bike clean. Regular cleaning and maintenance keeps your bike running well, and also means you're up close to it more often, so you’ll spot potential problems early on.

Take care in groups. Take extra care when riding as a group – crashes often occur when riders try and keep up with a lead rider. If you're ahead, try and keep the rider behind in your mirrors so you don’t have to keep stopping to re-group.

Car drivers

It might be frustrating at times to see motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic, but a hostile reaction on your part can often make the situation worse. Here are a few simple ways of avoiding crashes with motorcyclists:

Keep your distance. Driving too close can intimidate a less experienced motorcyclist.

Check for bikes when changing lanes. A motorcyclist may be in the space you want to move into, or moving into it fast. Remember your blind spot.

Check for bikes when turning. Parked cars or large vehicles can obstruct your view of a motorcyclist.

Motorcyclists might pass you on either side, so double-check whether you're turning left or right.

Check for bikes at junctions. Remember to look carefully for bikes, as it is often difficult to see them when they are coming out of junctions. Always look out for them before you emerge from a junction because they could be approaching faster than you think.

Park safely. Check for motorcyclists before opening a car door and ensure that your passengers do the same. When you pull away remember that motorcyclists are narrower than cars, which can make them harder to see.

Read more advice and tips for safe driving