I think that motorcycle and e-bike safety can be greatly enhanced by never doing things a car couldn't do.

Always stay in the middle of the lane (unless you need to avoid a pothole), never overtake unless a car would have space to overtake, never enter an intersection alongside a car in the same lane.

On a bike, you also have the option of behaving like a pedestrian (cycle on the sidewalk slowly) occasionally.

If you don't do this, it's only a matter of time before a car hits you because it didn't expect a vehicle or pedestrian doing what you are doing.

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giantg2 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

"Always stay in the middle of the lane"

Usually the middle is more slick from oil drips and contains more debris. That's why most people ride in one of the tire tracks from the cars.

	▲	Zambyte 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		It's also the best place to be to maximize damage if you happen to rear ended. It's also illegal where I live (edit: for specifically e-bikes).

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mynameisash 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I was coming home from work on my bike very late a few years ago, and I was on the side of the lane where your car tire would be -- not in the center. It was a good thing, too, because there was a full size ladder in the road, lined up exactly in the direction of traffic. Cars could safely drive 'over' it. I missed it by maybe a foot. If I were in middle of the lane, I would have taken a serious spill.

	▲	bpc777 an hour ago \| parent [-]
		I have also barely avoided a large ladder in the middle of the lane. Don't follow closely so you have more time to see what is ahead and react.

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bpc777 an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> Always stay in the middle of the lane

This is wrong. Use the whole lane to be in the best spot to see and be seen. Use lateral movement to increase your visibility in driver mirrors.

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travoc 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

The middle of the lane is where cars drip years of oil and coolant.