Motorcyclists

Motorcycles are small, fast and easy to miss, which is why so many crashes with them begin with a driver saying they did not see the rider. Riders are entitled to the same full lane as any other vehicle.

Learning to look for motorcycles, judge their speed and give them space protects riders and makes you a better driver in general.

By the end of this topic you can

You can scan specifically for motorcycles at intersections and in mirrors.
You can give a motorcycle a full lane and never share it.
You can keep extra following distance behind a rider.
You can check that a rider is really turning before you pull out.
You can predict how road surfaces and weather affect riders.

What you need to know and understand

Motorcycles use a full lane; treat them like any other vehicle.
Their small size makes their speed and distance harder to judge.
Many motorcycle turn signals do not cancel by themselves, so a flashing signal may not mean the rider is turning.
Riders may move suddenly to avoid potholes, gravel, wet patches or railway tracks.
Leave extra following distance behind a motorcycle.
Check your blind spots carefully; a motorcycle can hide in them completely.

Why riders go unseen

A motorcycle presents a narrow outline that can disappear behind a pillar of your windshield, a mirror or another vehicle. Drivers also tend to look for cars and trucks, so the brain skips over a smaller shape. Make a deliberate second look for motorcycles before any turn or lane change.

Left turns: the classic crash

Stop and look at oncoming traffic, specifically searching for single headlights.
Assume an oncoming motorcycle is closer and faster than it looks.
If it is signalling a turn, wait until it actually starts turning before you go.
Turn only when there is a clear, comfortable gap.

Sharing the lane and the road

Never drive alongside a motorcycle in the same lane, even if there seems to be room.
When passing, move fully into the next lane, as you would for a car.
Do not cut back in close in front of a rider after passing.
Leave more space than usual behind a rider; they can stop very quickly.
Expect riders to change position within their lane to stay visible or avoid hazards.
Give extra room in rain, wind and on gravel or uneven roads.

Common mistakes

Glancing quickly and missing a single headlight. Take a second, deliberate look.
Trusting a motorcycle's turn signal. Wait for the turn to start.
Tailgating a rider. Leave more than your usual gap.
Changing lanes without a shoulder check, when a motorcycle may be in your blind spot.

Practice tip: On a summer practice drive, ask your supervising driver to count motorcycles with you. Calling them out trains your eyes to look for them every time.

Test yourself: Motorcyclists

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

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Sources: Ontario MTO Official Driver's Handbook, Sharing the road with other road users (ontario.ca); Ontario MTO Official Driver's Handbook, Changing positions (ontario.ca). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your province or territory.

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