safety buffer
How to Maximize Visibility: Stay Out of Blind Spots and Create a Safety Buffer
Place yourself strategically in traffic.
Photo © Justin Sullivan / Getty Images"I never saw the rider" is one of the most common things automobile drivers say after they've struck a motorcyclist, an unfortunate reflection on how easy it is for riders to slip under the radar. Here are tips on how to stay visible while you ride.
The first and most obvious way to avoid being hit is to stay out of the blind spots of other vehicles and give yourself enough room to react. Ways to do so include:
- Making sure you can see the drivers of the cars around you; if you can see them (through eye contact or in their mirrors), chances are you're in their line of sight... but never assume anything.
- Creating a safety buffer around you, which means leaving enough distance ahead of you, and giving yourself space to maneuver away from trouble.
- Avoid lingering in the blind spots created by the A-pillars and C-pillars of cars; those are the front 3/4 and rear 3/4 angle views out of the driver seat. Passing can be a dangerous maneuver, so be especially aware when overtaking a car or another rider.
- If you're riding with a group, be sure to leave a safe distance around you, and ride in a staggered formation for maximum visibility.
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