Warm weather brings motorcycles back to the roads

With warmer weather hopefully here to stay, the emergence of motorcycles on the streets has started, with the bike riders sharing the roads over the next several months.

Chief Deputy Duane Rozendaal, with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Iowa Department of Transportation, give several helpful tips for driving a motorcycle and for those driving around them.

“Motorcycle drivers need to be defensive driving. Usually between a car and a motorcycle, the motorcycle is the loser in that battle. By being more defensive it may help eliminate the chances of being hurt,” Rozendaal said.

The DOT reports that motorists tend to have trouble noticing and reacting to motorcycles, usually looking for larger vehicles. They also often misjudge the speeds of an approaching motorcycle. The most common crash type that occurs between a car/truck and motorcycle is the one that happens at an intersection as the motorist is making a left turn in front of a motorcycle. Motorists at stop signs often misjudge speed or don’t see an approaching motorcycle.

“Early in the season, some of the intersections still have remnants of the salt and sand that was utilized for the winter. We haven’t had a lot of rain so it hasn’t washed off yet,” Rozendaal said.

Salt and sand can make stopping at an intersection more difficult for the motorcycle as they cannot gain the traction needed, often leading to an accident. Until it has rained several times or the community washes the streets, motorcyclists should take extra caution around intersections.

“It is recommended that everyone wear a helmet, although obviously it is not a law,” Rozendaal said.

Motorcyclists are more at risk if they are not wearing proper riding gear, according to the DOT. Its gear suggestions include a safety helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, gloves, long pants and boots.

“People that have laid motorcycles down, that have been involved in accident investigations, sustained road rash and those kinds of things that comes from sliding down the highway,” Rozendaal said.

The DOT offers several other tips for motorcyclists including: Know your abilities and ride within your limits. Allow space for motorists to see and react to you. Scan for changing traction and roadway conditions. Allow space for emergency braking or crash avoidance. Signal before changing lanes. Avoid weaving between lanes. Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping. Be familiar with your motorcycle and how to handle it in adverse conditions, especially on gravel.

Rozendaal also gave suggestions for those who may be driving around motorcycles. He said it is important to know the motorcycle is entitled to the whole lane, but must follow the same rules and regulations as a vehicle.

“Those traveling in cars need to start looking out for the motorcycles. Watch out for blind spots at intersections, they can easily get hidden by a mirror or corner post of a car,” Rozendaal said.

A motto that the DOT says pertaining to motorcycles is “Motorcycles are everywhere ... look twice and save a life.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson
at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com