Road Skills?

Question

I have noticed many times that riders will say they learned new skills and a greater sense of awareness from riding a motorcycle and are now better automobile drivers because of it.
Is this true for you?
If so, did you take a Driver's Ed class to obtain your license?

The reason behind my curiosity is that I did not feel any change. It is how I was originally taught. I did not take a Driver's Ed course.

taffscott1, bottom line: are you a better auto driver because you ride?
Driver Ed = any course used to train a new auto driver.

Many of us are interested with the "I didn't see" phenomenon. I noticed some trends that seem to parallel.
bikernoj reminds me that I rode a bicycle to work for two years before getting my first car. That may be a factor (that I hadn't considered) as well.

Answer 1

i took drivers ed in school, my dad taught me and he's a semi driver. but since ridin the bike, my s.a. is alot higher. i tend to do the same things in the car as i do on the scoot. it would make a cager a better driver if they were to ride first, but to give some 16 yr old a rocket....they wont make it to 17.

Answer 2

It definitely holds true for me. Prior to going thru the MSF course and becoming a motorcyclist, I paid very little attention to bikes on the road. In fact, I can remember getting "bettched out" by a female biker when pulling up to a traffic signal for following her too closely. At the time, I thought nothing of safe stopping distances. I would occasionally "tail gate" a slow car, why not a slow bike? Since taking the MSF and experiencing rude "cage" drivers, I've done a 180 on my own cage driving. I am much more conciderate and watchful for bikes then I used to be. I now give motorcycles about the the same kind of room I give a large over-sized tractor trailer. I won't crowd a biker anymore.

Answer 3

I initially was taught by family then went to a drivers school, and I have been driving a car for nearly 20 years, I recently got my learners license (like the last 4 months), and it has added a new dimension in that I now ride & drive as though I am invisable, something that being a car driver I NEVER (until now) had to do, so in a sense it is novel to learn something new & apply it to all areas of your life.

Answer 4

30 years ago I took a Defensive Driving Course which proved to be absolutely invaluable. I've never had an accident (touch wood) and I've extricated myself out of some very serious near misses thanks to the skills I learned. I got my motorcycle license 4 years ago and I didn't really expect that it could make me a better cager than I already was. However, to my amazement I realized that even with my DDC I've learned so much since then especially being a better observer/anticipator of the traffic around me. Next month I am taking an Advanced Rider Training course, which is being held by the same people who train our police force and I'm really looking forward to increasing my riding skill base.

Answer 5

I think I pay attention much better when driving a cage now than I did before I rode motorcycles.

Here in the US, automobile drivers seem to be lulled into a sense of security, expecting everyone to follow the rules of the road, and not driving defensively. They drive "offensively" for the most part! When you ride bikes, you must pay attention 110% of the time to what goes on around you. You must ride defensively to survive. If you ride frequently enough, I think this wears off on most our driving eventually.

In Europe in Asia, I feel safer on a bike, because people are watching out for us more (not listening for loud pipes, because they don't have them there ;-) ) They are more aware in general of what is going on around them.

Drivers Ed was mandatory in my state, but I took that a loooong time ago....

Answer 6

good answers. One skill that transfers over is looking all around before changing lanes. Driver ed I took for a car, MSF for mtrcy. Judging distance carries over here.
Another skill is anticipating road conditions appropriate for the speed under weather conditions.
Maintenance issues are taken care of quicker. Oil changes keep the motor cool and smoother and personal care is reflected in the appearance of my machine be it cage or bike. Skills are not only allotted to just the driving!

Answer 7

After riding my C 90 for 2 years and being rear ended in New Bern, I seem to watch the mirrors more in traffic situations. This is not a new skill, just trying to improve on what I have. I kept it on two wheels with the Lord's strength in me,we all better be more aware. A semi can certainly crush a compact!

Answer 8

I believe it CAN be true but most bad drivers do it because they are too lazy to pay attention anyway. and a good driver will pay attention no matter what he/she drives. so it (to me) seems un-important. so then it falls to who cared to pay attention both in the class and on the road. P.S. I did take a motorcycle course but only after I rode for 20+yrs and that is what I observed.

Answer 9

I'll go one better: I learned my riding skills and how to watch out for EVERYTHING by riding my bicycle. I have been a bicyclist for 17 years now, and riding a sub-19lb machine in traffic while wearing lycra makes you real keen on paying attention to your surroundings. Man, if you think that you'd lose on a motorcycle while wearing full gear, try THAT on for size!

Strangely, though, I find people pay attention to a bicycle more often than an oncoming motorcycle. I still can't figure that one out.

Armed with an MSF course and the aforementioned paranoia, I started motorcycling and love it.

Answer 10

I have a greater respect and awareness for motercycles since I have been riding. I drive a tractor trailer and I believe that I am a better driver overall since I have been riding. I have attended several msf courses. They all help with riding and in general.