Sharing the Road Safely With Motorcycles
Last reviewed: 2026 · Driviology Road Safety Education Team
Quick Answer
A motorcycle's smaller profile makes it easier to misjudge distance and speed, and easier for it to disappear into a blind spot entirely, which is why extra deliberate mirror and shoulder checks matter around motorcycles.
Motorcycles require a different kind of visual attention than most other vehicles, simply because of their smaller size on the road.
Why Size Changes the Risk
A smaller profile makes it easier to misjudge both distance and closing speed, and makes a motorcycle far more likely to disappear entirely into a blind spot than a full-sized vehicle would.
What Helps
A deliberate second glance before changing lanes or turning, similar to the extra care given to cyclists and bicycles, meaningfully reduces this risk.
A Shared Responsibility
While other drivers carry real responsibility here, motorcyclists positioning themselves visibly within a lane also plays a role in reducing how often they go unnoticed.