Do bike riders = better car drivers?

[GingerMidget]

I wouldn't say since riding a bike I've become a better driver in the cage, but the looking further and better definitly applies. I still swear the same amount, but on the bike I'm a lot calmer about it, because I'm expecting people to not see me and drive accordingly.

Maybe its cos people see my car and imagine its being driven by old people, and they break real easy?

[Latte]

Before you can answer that question tigertim20, you first have to decide what a "good" driver is. Tell me what you think a good driver is, and you'll be able to answer the question more easily.

Better, not good, world of difference there.

[p.dath]

For anyone bored enough, this is a description I wrote several years ago for what I consider a good road user to be.



A quick summary to answer the original post. After riding a bike, I think areas that you improve on generally that will also assist in driving a car include:
* Ethical qualities (such as do no harm to others)
* Mental qualities (such as alertness, awareness, etc)
* Skills/Knowledge improvements (such as hazard perception, road surface awareness, etc)


But I am biased, being a rider, and may not be able to asses my own abilities accurately ...

[GrayWolf]

better driver? NO
I did an advanced driving course with the ambulance service, run by an ex professional driver and rally driver. The one thing I did obviously different from 'joe average driver' was to use the road, rather than 'keep to the left'.

What I feel motorcycling gives me, is greater awareness of road conditions, road surfaces and how they affect grip. I approach roundabouts etc actively assessing rather than pull to the 'give way/stop' and then assess traffic.

Downside?? hehe When I met my partner I got severe complaints that I was 'DRIVING' the car on twisty bits, not thinking of passenger comfort......OOOOPS
Funny thing is... since she rides herself now, guess what??? Hahahahaha!!!!

[steve_t]

better driver? NO
I did an advanced driving course with the ambulance service, run by an ex professional driver and rally driver. The one thing I did obviously different from 'joe average driver' was to use the road, rather than 'keep to the left'.

What I feel motorcycling gives me, is greater awareness of road conditions, road surfaces and how they affect grip. I approach roundabouts etc actively assessing rather than pull to the 'give way/stop' and then assess traffic.

Downside?? hehe When I met my partner I got severe complaints that I was 'DRIVING' the car on twisty bits, not thinking of passenger comfort......OOOOPS
Funny thing is... since she rides herself now, guess what??? Hahahahaha!!!!

So, you're now more aware of road conditions, surface types and the grip they give; you approach roundabouts actively assessing BEFORE you get there but you don't think that makes you a better driver?

[Geeen]

As a few have already said, I think the awareness riding a bike teaches does transfer to a car. I also agree that I'm clamer in the car since I got back on a bike, but, the two vehicles are completely different ie if you took the same lines in a car as you would on a bike on a lot of our back roads it wouldn't end too well.

[kiwi cowboy]

Hmmmm interesting thred.

I cant in all honesty say my driving is affected but the reason for that could be because i road a bike for the first 6 years of my licence before getting my car licence so could be argued i already had the hightened situtional awearness when in a car so dont notice it the same as if having driven a car for years before getting on a bike.

Just to add another slant to this.

I have noticed that since riding a race bike on the track and pushing the limits a fare bit i have noticed that when i get on the road bike i think everything is like slow motion in things happening around me.
I realise i dont ride anywere as hard on the road actualy like a nana but i seem to take in alot more is this like more hightened awearness??.

Shit i hope that makes cents.

[MSTRS:Me]

better driver? NO
I did an advanced driving course with the ambulance service, run by an ex professional driver and rally driver. The one thing I did obviously different from 'joe average driver' was to use the road, rather than 'keep to the left'.

What I feel motorcycling gives me, is greater awareness of road conditions, road surfaces and how they affect grip. I approach roundabouts etc actively assessing rather than pull to the 'give way/stop' and then assess traffic.

Downside?? hehe When I met my partner I got severe complaints that I was 'DRIVING' the car on twisty bits, not thinking of passenger comfort......OOOOPS
Funny thing is... since she rides herself now, guess what??? Hahahahaha!!!!

The bit I've bolded almost gives the lie to the rest of your post...
Everything you describe yourself doing in a car says you are a better driver for having spent time on a bike. The term 'better driver' is a package...vehicle control, situational awareness, preplanning, roadcraft etc
The one bit of your post I'd have an actual problem with is "...use the road, rather than 'keep to the left'." I hope you meant 'use all of the lane'...smoothing a corner by crossing the centreline is a

[GrayWolf]

The bit I've bolded almost gives the lie to the rest of your post...
Everything you describe yourself doing in a car says you are a better driver for having spent time on a bike. The term 'better driver' is a package...vehicle control, situational awareness, preplanning, roadcraft etc


The one bit of your post I'd have an actual problem with is "...use the road, rather than 'keep to the left'." I hope you meant 'use all of the lane'...smoothing a corner by crossing the centreline is a

<<< correct I should have ensured that I was intending to indicate 'LANE USAGE' in the main.
However I do and was taught then (ambo) and on previous advanced rider course in UK to also 'use the road'.. IF you can see clearly ahead for a good distance and can straighten out the road by using the WHOLE road? There is nothing unsafe with the practice.

I would also add my thoughts on a good car driver? As well as situational awareness, there is also vehicle control etc. I am a full time rider so if I have to pick a 'weakness' in my driving? it IS a lower level of experience in car handling/performance on the road. hence why I do not think riding the bike has made me a 'better driver' per se.

[schrodingers cat]

When interviewed a disportionate amount of riders/driver percivetheir abilities to be 'average to above average'

So I'm happy to tell you I am both a shit rider and driver. Hopefully my admission will drag the rest of you overly well equipped fuckers back to where you belong on the bell curve.

[MIXONE]

I'm a far better driver now but still find lane splitting in the car can be a bit challenging.

[bogan]

I'm a far better driver now but still find lane splitting in the car can be a bit challenging.

I got as far as wheels on the centerline before realising it wouldn't work in a van.

I'm not sure there is significant technique improvement; but for me there is an improvement in mindset. I now know just how much harder it is to be aware in a car, so take it slower, and look out for bikers

[Tigadee]

I think I'm a better driver since riding a motorcycle.

I'm more aware and active in scanning the road all around now, looking over my shoulders, looking ahead, etc, as if I were on my bike. I did those already before being on a motorbike, but just all the time now instead of most of the time.

Only thing is I think I do drive a tad faster than I used to before being on a bike...

[Fast Eddie]

became a worse driver,

took 2 wheels off the car to try make it feel like a motorbike. didnt end well.

[MSTRS:Me]

<<< correct I should have ensured that I was intending to indicate 'LANE USAGE' in the main.
However I do and was taught then (ambo) and on previous advanced rider course in UK to also 'use the road'.. IF you can see clearly ahead for a good distance and can straighten out the road by using the WHOLE road? There is nothing unsafe with the practice.

I don't agree...
It becomes a learned habit and is used all the time. Unless you are actually overtaking another vehicle, with the requisite visibility etc, you must keep to the left. From time to time our friends in blue set up video 'stings' in areas where the practice is common. Those caught doing it get the big stick.

I would also add my thoughts on a good car driver? As well as situational awareness, there is also vehicle control etc. I am a full time rider so if I have to pick a 'weakness' in my driving? it IS a lower level of experience in car handling/performance on the road. hence why I do not think riding the bike has made me a 'better driver' per se.

I seem to be disagreeing with you a lot...but I am here too.
You may not feel that your car handling skills are right up there - through unfamiliarity, I guess - but how many people who do drive actually have good car handling skills? I'll bet that none of them have your roadcraft either, so who's the better driver?
The number of drivers I'm forced to be behind at times, who brake for uphill corners for instance...when they are already travelling at 20/30kph slower than the speed limit