All the above are great suggestions.
In many of these accidents the driver in the car just didn't see the motorcycle coming, or they just didn't take a very good look. Most people when driving are looking for other cars or trucks, and they get complacent with anything small than that. So, I have always had the theory that I have to position myself on the road to make me and the bike more observable to other vehicles on the road. The way I do this some riders might find uncomfortable at first, but once you start you will find that cars do tend to see you more easily.
When riding down a two lane road I will ride as close to the center of the road as possible (image where the cars and trucks left wheel would be riding down the road or where the driver of said car or truck would be positioned on the road). Riding down the middle of the road, or even worse down the right hand side of the road can cause several problems.
The first problem with riding down the middle of the road (especially at intersections) is all the crap in the road, and at intersections oil and coolant deposits, which can be slippery when dry and really slippery when wet. When riding down the right side of the road there is even more crap that you have to contend with (generally not as much on the right side as the middle through the intersections).
The second is you are not as easily seen. The car directly behind you and the car directly in front can see you, but that is about it. Cars at intersections are looking for oncoming traffic, but again they are looking for other cars and trucks. They are more accustomed to headlights coming at them spaced apart like a car or truck. Also people tend to look at oncoming traffic at the middle of the road. They don’t scan the sides of the road. If you are riding down the left side of your lane at night cars will see you more easily and they might actually think you are a car with the right side headlight being out. Riding down the right hand side of a road is just asking not to be seen.
A third problem is that you are not defending your space very well. The vehicle behind you can see you, but the vehicle behind him might not. If that second vehicle decides to past the vehicle in front, thinking there is an open space. Guess what you will have a unwelcomed visitor in your space. If you are riding on the left side of the road it you easier to be seen, but more importantly you will be able to see what is happening behind you, which is also true of what is happening in front of you. I also find that cars give me a wider berth when I ride in the left of my lane.
Fourth if something does happen that requires you to take evasive steps, if you are in the middle or right side of the lane your options are limited. You can slow down and move to the right more, but that could cause you to go off the road. If you are in the left side of the lane it might only mean having to move to the right side of the lane. Basically you have more of your lane available to use without having to think about going off the road or into oncoming traffic.
Now do you always ride in the left side of the lane, no the conditions might require you to move over for other reasons like setting up for a turn, but in general I try to stay in the left side of my lane so I can be seen by others better, and so I can see in front and behind me better.
Tom
