Yeah, it sucks...

I've heard horrible stories. Much easier to get hurt on one... I get so freaked out when I'm driving by a motorcycle, so I watch those things like a hawk lol

I have found out that in the Charlotte area it is more dangerous, texting, cell phones are the biggest problems.  I have a friend that has put a larger flag on the back of his bike and LED's on the front but still have to watch.

Seriously, because you can easily see past or thru the bike to the vehicle ahead of the bike, which is larger, you tend to focus on that vehicle and calculate your stopping distance, etc to that vehicle rather than the bike.  It's an automatic and involuntary reaction, not a bias against bikes.

They don't pay attention.  I had 3 surgeries and a shattered right leg thanks to a hit and run while I was on my motorcycle.  They never found the A-Hole.

if your friend was driving safely, acting like a regular vehicle, obeying the rules, and still got hit. It's true that many people in cars or trucks do not seem to "see" bikes the same way they see other vehicles.

On the other hand, driving in Virginia, on a DAILY basis I see motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating and passing in no-pass zones, speeding, and driving VERY unsafely. And I see lots of accidents, whether they involve bikes or not. The drivers here in southwestern virginia are the worst I've ever seen, and I've driven extensively all over the northeast including nyc, boston, hartford, philly, and all over jersey

times when I've looked more than twice and still didn't see the crotch rocket closing fast behind me because it was going 120 plus and blew past in a blur .  

I ride too and never take it for granted a motorist knows I'm there.

I do think that bikes are harder to see than cars, precisely because you can "see through them"...and the eyes focus elsewhere. Not excusing it at all, just my two bit opinion.

And maybe I am wrong, but I see so many fender benders on the highways around Charlotte, that I wonder if there are any more accidents involving bikes than regular cars and trucks. I know that when I look in the rearview mirror, I am way more likely to see an F-150 than a bike, and recognize that he is behind me...or the right or left for that matter.

I also think that SOME bikers tend to utilize the inherent flexibility of the bike to cruise through traffic (especially on the interstate) where a car dare not go.  

At the end of the day, bikes are inherently (or so it seems to me) more dangerous for the rider than a car, simply because they can fall over when hit, and there is not 3,000 pounds of metal (or fiberglass) enclosing the rider and keeping her/him from harm. A fender bender with a car is just that, a fender bender. A fender bender with a bike is likely an injury at best.....  

I seriously do not think ANYONE deliberately tries to ignore a bike, or take advantage of the bulk of their own vehicle. I would be surprised if that were so. I try very hard, when I see a bike in my lane in front of me, to be mindful of them, realize they may not be able to stop as fast as I can. I stay way back from bikes, and I have zero trouble seeing them, especially with all the lights, etc that MJ has....

Having said all that, if MJ wishes to ride naked to get attention, I suggest she bring me along and I will hold on with one hand, and wave my other furiously at other drivers to make sure they see us....!!

please ask if you need a riding mechanic or safety officer. You go naked and I will wear the orange vest....!!

Other day I was in the Package store coming out I was crossing the parking lot to get to my car and another car was pulling out of the parking space. This lady goes around the car and all most runs me over. It is good thing I saw this idiot coming around the car that was backing out

it is very dangerous. People just are in too much of a hurry. I've found that a pulsating healdlight in the daytime helps. I ride a 70's classic model, so the headlight sort of pulsates with the generator.

People behind the wheels of cars get in a zone and only expect to see other cars. Probably when in their truck or car it's true that bike riders are more alert for bikes on the road, but they're not immune from the need to always be on the lookout.  And it's not only motorcycles that are the victims of crappy driving. It's bicycles, too. I know there's a lot of animosity towards those of us who cycle, and it's also true that there are some (emphasis on SOME. It's NOT all!) who put themselves at risk of being hit because they don't follow common sense practices about where not to ride.  Even if you DO ride using common sense, you can get nailed by cars.  I know because 80 miles into a ride and definitely riding on the far right side, I got hit from behind. They just weren't looking.

... we had way too many calls to motorcycle accidents on the streets and highway.  It got so bad we used to call motorcyclists "targets".

would make the vision much better as though it's a car.

Do some tours with other bikers!!!

That or a wheelie every now and then works.

I've been in the car with someone who almost pulled a left and rammed right into a biker. I yelped "Watch out! A Motorcycle!" She said, "Oh, my God... I didn't even SEE him!"

That guy would not be here now. She has an off roading big ass truck and he was at full speed on the road.

I teach courses in motorcycle safety and here is the answer to your question. If you ride a bike, you are invisible to other drivers not on motorcycles. The mind tells the eyes what to look for rather than the eyes telling the mind what it sees. The sad fact is that drivers do not look for or see motorcycles on the road. I always ask my beginning motorcycle students after the first day of class if they noticed any motorcycles on the road as they drove home. Without fail they say that there were a lot of people riding motorcycles during their drive home in their cars. I explain to them that the motorcycles were always there, their mind was just not telling them to look for motorcycles. Thus the signs you see warning that "motorcycles are everywhere..." is an attempt to change that behavior.

Of course those of us that ride hopefully try to make ourselves more visible by wearing bright clothing and riding defensively and responsibly. It is a constant threat in that things such as distracted driving, speed, and the sense of entitlement make riding a bike an adventure at times.

The message is  that once you realize that you are invisible when riding a motorcycle, then you can hopefully make yourself safe. Maybe this sheds some light on the subject.

I sold my bikes 5 years ago after an accident. Riding lost all of its enjoyment. Found myself always worrying about the cars around me instead of the fun I used to have.