Does your motorcycle make you a better car driver?

[schrodingers cat]

Driving home this evening in the dark and cold with all the other lemmings desperate for a hot meal and Shortland Street I got to thinking.

Since I've been riding again I think I'm a far more aware driver than previously. I'd like to think I was always aware of what was around me but I find I'm making much more effort to look for cyclists, motorbikes etc etc.
Also I lift and brake earlier and spend time looking for 'Plan B' escape routes.

So what do you think? Is this others experience? Does your motorcycle make you a better/safer driver?

(Note: answers to the affirmative in no way infer that you were anything other than perfect before! :innocent:)

[firefighter]

Actually, it was all the driver training i've done, in 4x4s and trucks that made me a safer rider, but I know what you're getting at.

Without doing all of that i'd probably be riding like a bastard.

[Indiana_Jones]

So what do you think? Is this others experience? Does your motorcycle make you a better/safer driver?


The one thing that has helped me from my riding while driving is that I remember to turn the indicator off more often (It's an older car)

-Indy

[Blinkwing]

If I actually had a car, I'd be giving a definitive opinion.

What I've learnt on the bike has reinforced my general survival/safety skills so that'd influence all other forms of transport.

[PrincessBandit]

In a word. Yes.

Inattentiveness can be an easy poo-trap in a car - many times you can get away with daydreaming/distractions etc. knowing there is a big metal box around you. My driving has definitely come up a few pegs (hazard awareness, looking out for bikes more etc.) since becoming a rider myself.

[Bikemad]

sorry........just to clarify...........was it you or the lemmings that were desperate for a feed and shortland street??

[DMNTD]

Try commuting on a scooter...jebus!
But to answer your question...yes riding a motorcycle and/or scooter has most definitely made me a better,more aware driver.

[Conquiztador]

I was driving home from an event and in front of me there was a cattle truck. The road was clear and so I started the overtaking. As I came to the end of the cattletruck a car popped up at the turn ahead. In front of the cattle truck there was a bus. One of those 3/4 size ones. On my bike I would easily have grabbed a little extra throttle and passed the bus with space to spare. In my car... But I had bikeriding in my spine and went for the bus. It became hairy and the car coming towards me had to pull over a fraction.

So at that instance the answer is a no.

[CookMySock]

I'm certainly more patient in a car now. On a bike I slay everything - in the car I sit back, it's not worth the agro.

Steve

[bones135]

I think it works both ways, in a car im more aware of bikes & move left when they come up behind so they can pass easier. On the bike im way more ware of the cars around me & know what they are capable of, i find im always trying to look 2 or 3 cars ahead as well as the ones coming the other way.

[Genie]

Im thinking you may just be correct. I did a defensive drving course a few years ago and that made a difference with how I drove. Since buying my bike I noticed even more awareness out there. My eyes are searching a hell of a lot more, scanning everywere. Anything that makes us more aware on the road is a very good thing.

[bones135]

Well theres a lot of drivers out there that dont pay attention so we need to look out for them too.......if we dont who the hell will.

[banditrider]

I think that if you've got any common sense at all then when riding a bike you should feel just that little bit more fragile than when wrapped in steel and it becomes in your best interest to keep your wits about you and ride defensively. More and more riding and theoretically you should become more aware of your surroundings, hazards, other drivers etc. Then it just becomes a habit no matter what vehicle you're piloting.

My worst nightmare as a driver is "not seeing" a bike and taking one out - I hope I'm doing enough as a driver...

[bones135]

I think that if you've got any common sense at all then when riding a bike you should feel just that little bit more fragile than when wrapped in steel and it becomes in your best interest to keep your wits about you and ride defensively. More and more riding and theoretically you should become more aware of your surroundings, hazards, other drivers etc. Then it just becomes a habit no matter what vehicle you're piloting.

My worst nightmare as a driver is "not seeing" a bike and taking one out - I hope I'm doing enough as a driver...
Could not agree more, a matter of paying attention to whats in front....beside & behind you & riding accordingly.

[boman]

Yes it has.

[Scuba_Steve]

Yep sure did, no doubt.

[AllanB]

Pretty much. You're more aware of your surroundings even if the CD player is wound up and the heater is nice and warm .....

I still can't get the car to wheelie though.

[bogan]

yup, I'm aware just how shit a cage is for spatial awareness (especially a tinted out L300), and take extra care to check everywhere, and indicate before doing maneuvers just incase I missed something, and its the fucking law too which approximately fuck all other drivers adhere to :angry:

[Cayman911]

Definitely.

Having the two different points of view is something everyone needs to have on the road.
i know know how the poor biker feels. and give him room. let him pass and dont try to commit murder on the road.

It's a predatory world out there on the road. and its good to be both the bunny and the tiger sometimes.



I still can't get the car to wheelie though.

You need a 7.2L supercharged V8 Pontiac :)

[rocketman1]

Sure has, Thats why I advocate that all cage drivers should spend some time on a motorbike / scooter to see how looks & feels from our point of veiw.
I dread knocking someone off their motorbike or pushbike come to that. I always look twice and watch out more for motorbikes, pull over a bit to let them past on the highway, and give way in more time.
I must admit that in my opinion there are alot of good cage drivers out there. Most will move over for me or wait that bit longer for me to pass at intersections when Im on the bike compared to when Im in the car.
In other words I feel better treated on the road as a biker by cagers. Strange but true.
Yes there are a few idiots in cagers, but I would say the majority are good dudes.

[DangerMice]

Yup, it sure has. I'm also on the lookout for bikes a lot more too. Checking the wing mirror a hell of a lot more for bikes filtering & always move right over for them.

[Big Dave]

Nah, not really. No difference.

[Smifffy]

In the cage I got Mass, Airbags, ABS and an air-horn. Get outta my way!

;) :rofl: :rofl:

[Urano]

definitely!

i've been sentencing for years that driving licenses have to be conceded "in sequence". after all you cannot have a truck license without a car one.
why should you obtain a car one without ever been on the road on the "weak side"?

being a rider force you to pay more attention at what you have around, trying to figure out what that car is going to do, and look at the tarmac, at the intersections, under the steady buses to see the leg of a running child... so on...
a bike also shows you that you can wait a second to answer that damn cell phone, or that you will not starve if you eat the sandwich when you stop, or that you can surely stop to smoke...

it's not an opinion too.
i remember to have red a statistic where it was pointed out that car drivers with motorbike licence are less involved in accident: i'll post you if i'll find it out...

[Conquiztador]

it's not an opinion too.
i remember to have red a statistic where it was pointed out that car drivers with motorbike licence are less involved in accident: i'll post you if i'll find it out...

Makes sense. If you have a bike license you will be riding bikes more than the ones who does not have bike license. Therefore you will be driving less cars, therefore the chance of a car accident will drop.

[Urano]

uhm...
i don't think it could be read in this way, leading the reduction from the "less time behind the steering wheel"...

anyway, here a google translation from an article posted on the site of the italian highway patrol association quoting the etsc:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=it&tl=en&u=http://www.asaps.it/%3Furl%3Dshowpage.php%3Fid%3D17956%26categoria%3DN ews%26sottocategoria%3DSulle%2520strade%2520d%2592 Europa%2520e%2520del%2520mondo%26pubblicazione%3D2 8.05.2008

[YellowDog]

Of course being a motorcyclist does make you a better car driver.

You can always identify them by the fact that they let you pass rather than trying to squish you.

IMO - road users should be made to pass a motorcycle test first before being able to drive a car on the road. It would make the roads a lot safer (eventually).

[schrodingers cat]

sorry........just to clarify...........was it you or the lemmings that were desperate for a feed and shortland street??

I was keen for a feed. Only.
I know this is a nice safe place but some shames are too great to speak out loud.
And the meal was PIZZA not Quiche LOL

I see quite a few of you are suggesting bike first, car later when you get your licence. 30 years ago that was pretty much wht happened. Cars were expensive! Most of the folks I grew up with got a car licence first so they could drive their parents car but the 'mode of personal transport' they owned was a bike

I think the problem now would be that if you lobbied for the need to hold a bike licnese first all the (hovering) helicopter / PC parents would wave statistics at you and scream murder of our youth.
Perhaps Car licence at 18, Scooter licence at 16. Their choice then.
And maybe the fear of their little darling getting skittled on the road would translate to attempting not to skittle anyone elses little darling.

Ahhh Eutopia!

[Scuba_Steve]

definitely!

i've been sentencing for years that driving licenses have to be conceded "in sequence". after all you cannot have a truck license without a car one.
why should you obtain a car one without ever been on the road on the "weak side"?

being a rider force you to pay more attention at what you have around, trying to figure out what that car is going to do, and look at the tarmac, at the intersections, under the steady buses to see the leg of a running child... so on...
a bike also shows you that you can wait a second to answer that damn cell phone, or that you will not starve if you eat the sandwich when you stop, or that you can surely stop to smoke...

it's not an opinion too.
i remember to have red a statistic where it was pointed out that car drivers with motorbike licence are less involved in accident: i'll post you if i'll find it out...

Me and a few others reckon learners should be 2 wheeled, & then once proven you can ride you either step up to a full bike or restricted car (which will be more like the learners car now). Yes there will be some accidents in the learners area of course but most of these should be single person non-fatal accidents and on the whole NZ would end up with some of the best motorists in the world.

& I think it was the AA who's study found bikers to be the best/safest drivers on the road.

[p.dath]

I definately am a safer cage driver as a result of leaning to ride.

One thing that I find that bothers me now is that the 'A' pillar (in the cage) is always in the road preventing me from seeing around the corner as easy.

[Corse1]

I'm certainly more patient in a car now. On a bike I slay everything - in the car I sit back, it's not worth the agro.

Steve

Yeah thats a bit of me too. Slay everything might not be quite accurate but pretty close :shit:

[Str8 Jacket]

Well I don't have a car licence and the world (NZ) is a safer place for it!

[Number One]

Iy's certainly sharpened up my defensive driving skills...until I rode I think I did on some level think I was quite invincible in the car and took more for granted. AND in a car I know I can't fit in that third lane so I tend to just feel chilled out and go with flow - but I do get shocking road rage so if you fuck up in front of me I will verbally abuse you through the closed window and you WILL be able to lip read :lol:

[Number One]

Iy's certainly sharpened up my defensive driving skills...until I rode I think I did on some level think I was quite invincible in the car and took more for granted. AND in a car I know I can't fit in that third lane so I tend to just feel chilled out and go with flow - but I do get shocking road rage so if you fuck up around me while I'm driving in the cage I will verbally abuse you through the closed window and you WILL be able to lip read :lol: on the bike I'd just go past ya!

[Swoop]

Definately not. Trying to drive a cage whilst wearing leathers and a helmet is challenging!
It's even worse when I have to wear a backpack as well.

[ac3_snow]

I'm certainly more patient in a car now. On a bike I slay everything - in the car I sit back, it's not worth the agro.

Steve

ditto.
hahaha possibly have something to do with the fact that im so outa practise that the odd time i am in my car it just feels weird!
but yea used to attempt slaying it all in my car, definatly changed since I crossed to the dark(/light) side.

[MSTRS]

I do think that for a majority of riders, they become better car drivers. This could be for a number of reasons, but the biggie would have to be defensive, considerate attitude behind the wheel.
eg YT was in the cage the other day. She was turning right out of an uncontrolled T intersection. She was turning onto the through road. In front (to her left) was a HP, turning right .
She thought 'He's not going to give way, like he should. If I go, he will hit me, it will be his fault and I could get a new car out of this. Bu hang on, as a biker I'd be in the right but still hurt/dead.' So she let the cop go. She gave the prick a 'wave' - he didn't even blink.
Riding bikes gave her the skills to think further.

[Smifffy]

I do think that for a majority of riders, they become better car drivers. This could be for a number of reasons, but the biggie would have to be defensive, considerate attitude behind the wheel.
eg YT was in the cage the other day. She was turning right out of an uncontrolled T intersection. She was turning onto the through road. In front (to her left) was a HP, turning right .
She thought 'He's not going to give way, like he should. If I go, he will hit me, it will be his fault and I could get a new car out of this. Bu hang on, as a biker I'd be in the right but still hurt/dead.' So she let the cop go. She gave the prick a 'wave' - he didn't even blink.
Riding bikes gave her the skills to think further.

She may have been in the right, but she would probably have been ticketed.....

[Moki]

Nope, not necessarily. Shitty bike skills carry over to operating cages.

[george formby]

Many years ago a British MP tried to get a bill passed which would make all potential car drivers spend a year riding a motorcycle to learn greater road skills....
My girlfriend has commented a number of times how much her driving skills & awareness has developed since she has been on a bike with me. She watches my lines, how & when i brake, gears etc & always ask's me why. She avoided being minced by a truck recently ( in the car) because she had taken the most visible, safest line through a corner & had enough time & room to avoid the truck mainly on her side of the road. She reckons if she was still driving habitually she would have been in totally the wrong place.
I reckon the greatest benefit to be carried over to driving is smoothness, which saves me money & perhaps more importantly I am just as focused in the car as i am on the bike.

[MSTRS]

I reckon the greatest benefit to be carried over to driving is smoothness,.

This is a good point too. I'd say there are a lot of people out there who think my car's brake lights don't work...

[george formby]

This is a good point too. I'd say there are a lot of people out there who think my car's brake lights don't work...

Agreed, I find myself tapping the brakes in the car to let following traffic know I'm slowing down but not really applying them.