How in the hell do you not see a motorcycle? Seriously, are we all In such a big damn hurry that we don't pay attention or is it that you don't care?

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.

Ride naked..! Geez.. I don't want a flag and I already have LEDS on the back and a flashing break light and a freakin monkey on the back.. .. I think I am out of options.. Riding naked is gonna be a bit chilly! LOL

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.

I took an advanced Motorcycle safety course in the military.  The question posed to the class was "How do you ensure you are seen on the road".  Everyone had to answer one at the time and there were a lot of good answers.  2 gentlemen in the back were uniformed motocycle cops that were sent to the class because it was that good.  One said " I have red and blue lights that flash, a couple of strobes blinding people and this real loud screeching thing called a siren and guess what? They dont see me.  "  So there is much you can do but expect the unexpected.  Always have a way out.

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.

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 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.

Cpl yrs ago in Columbia, SC I realized that I should be in the left lane, as my turn off was approaching, soooo, I look in my rear view mirrors--inside/outside and see nothing there, so, off I go sliding over into that lane---all of a sudden I hear this "buzzing" sound and I look at my dashboard to see WTF was wrong with the truck---no red lights, THEN, the "buzzing" changed from my left ear to behind me and over to my right ear and a dark blur went by showing me my IQ of 1---LOL---He was in my blind spot from the beginning and I never had an inkling that he was there!!!!  Now I quickly look over my left shoulder before I make that lane change)  
Yes, last week on I-40 I was driving defensively and noticed a dark spot in my inside rear view mirror, by the time I figured it out, it came whizzing by me at about 100-120 miles per hour with a lil lady hanging on to the idiot driving for dear life!!! Gone in 60 by weaving in and out of heavy traffic ahead---that guy was giving his girl a thrill that should be reserved for the BR;P~~~  
Those yellow flags that are on slim poles that move all over, as suggested above, might be good. Also, like the cowboys of old, a rifle stuck in a short cover(can't get spell check to o.k. scarbard) might get the drivers approaching from behind attentions) Ride defensively! O, one more sad story---as I was leaving the state of S.C. that year,  I heard on my radio that a deer had struck a lady cyclist and killed her---day um!

"malfunction junction" to design the ObamaCare website .

Great post.  I try and never put myself in a situation where I have no escape route. I do realize that is not always possible. However, I always ride in a defensive manner.   It's a must in the Chicago, Milwaukee area!

-- Modified on 10/23/2013 12:53:18 PM

You have to wear a helmet.....It's the law.

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".

Most people don't give a shit about anyone but themselves, they're way too busy with their own shit to consider that anyone else exists outside that little universe. Ever looked around when you're driving and see how many others are NOT fucking with their personal communication device. Not many.

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

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.

I was leading 14 bikes down I40, some lady came up the ramp and right into us.  The bike did all the avoiding.  

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.