How to Choose the Right Lane Position on a Motorcycle

Lane position is particularly important to a motorcyclist because it's hard for other drivers to see you, even when your headlights are on. Sometimes, though, the relatively small size of your motorcycle can be a safety advantage.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Motorcycle Gloves
• Motorcycle Jacket
• Motorcycle Pants
• Basic Traffic-safety Rule Books
• Motorcycle Owner's Manual
• Motorcycle Insurance
• Eye Protection For Motorcycle Riders
• Federally Approved Motorcycle Helmets

1. Remember that each lane gives a motorcycle three paths of travel: right side, center and left side.

2. Use your lane position to enhance your ability to see and be seen. Avoid driving in other drivers' blind spots.

3. Watch out for surface hazards and wind blasts from other vehicles.

4. Protect your lane from those who might try to share it with you by honking to let them know you're there.

5. Use your signals and let other drivers know what you're going to do.

6. Position yourself so you can use your height and visibility advantage to see things other drivers can't see. Move to one side of the lane or the other to get a better view of traffic and road conditions ahead.

7. Ride within your skill level and posted speed limits. It's easier than you may think to take a turn wide and risk collision with a fence, a phone pole or a tree.

8. Approach curves cautiously to determine whether they're banked, flat, gradually widening, getting tighter, or the first of multiple turns.

9. Take advantage of the fact that you don't have six feet of rubber, chrome and steel sticking out in front of you. Riders can easily peek around buildings, parked cars, or bushes to see if anything is coming.

10. Increase your visibility at intersections by riding with your headlights on. Ride in the lane position that provides the best view of oncoming traffic.

11. Keep possible escape routes in mind at all times and leave a space cushion around you so you'll best be able to react to dangerous situations you may encounter.

Tips & Warnings

• Ride next to larger vehicles while crossing an intersection or other dangerous places. Big trucks can protect you from unseen oncoming traffic.
• Position your motorcycle several feet from the crosswalks when stopping at a stoplight. Make sure the stoplight's signal device can "pick you up."
• Back into parking spaces whenever possible. That way, you'll be driving your bike out into traffic rather than backing into it.
• Motorcycling is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help Sponsored

[annettemcd]

on 7/19/2009 My husband is a truck driver and drives predominately on a two-lane major highway. He has often seen motorcyclists riding in groups with the lead bike riding so far left in the lane that part of the bike is actually in the lane of the oncoming traffic. So when my husband in his truck is passing a group of motorcycles going in the opposite direction, he has to move over to the far right side of his own lane to avoid the possibility of clipping a bike. He understands about lane domination, but feels that some of the practices he sees with groups of motorcycles are just plain unsafe.

on 11/22/2005 I've seen experienced riders use the left/right positioning technique, but I prefer to distance myself from the danger of a vehicle switching lanes by using the exact opposite positioning. So that when I am in the far left lane, I tend to ride in the left portion of that lane. Likewise, when I am in the right lane, I tend to ride in the far right of that lane. This way, I have time to react to an inattentive driver, and honk my horn to let them know that I'm there. It has worked many times for me.

on 11/22/2005 Use the left and right lane positions to block traffic from coming into your lane. If you are riding down a street that has more than one lane going in your direction, then ride in the left and right lane positions to block traffic on either side of you. The left lane position blocks traffic in the lane on your left and the right lane position blocks traffic on your right. It's all about dominant lane positioning!

on 11/22/2005 Try to stay out of center lanes when on city streets. Oil builds up there and can make taking corners very dangerous.