Ride CT & Ride New England Serving New England, NYC and The Hudson Valley!
There isn’t a rider alive who hasn’t complained about unobservant drivers or about the actions of our riding brethren. We 
universally get outraged when we see a driver texting or talking on a phone, while many of us also get ticked off when we see another rider engaging in conduct that reflects badly on all of us.
A new survey released today details what bugs us the most. Conducted by Harris Poll and commissioned by Erie Insurance, the survey lists pet peeves about motor vehicle drivers and about other riders. It also present riders’ views of rookie rider mistakes.
Nearly 200 riders were questioned. Some of the results may be surprising. Here goes:
Top 5 Pet Peeves about Vehicle Drivers
1. 55% – Drivers who don’t check their blind spots before changing lanes.
2. 53% – Drivers who text while driving.
3. 50% – Aggressive or reckless drivers.
4. 43% – Drivers who tailgate.
5. 42% – Drivers who don’t use turn signals when turning or changing lanes.
If you’ve ridden any length of time, no doubt you’ve seen examples of all five drivers.
Top 5 Pet Peeves about Other Riders
1. 56% – Riders who drive aggressively or recklessly.
2. 41% – Riders who pass on the shoulder.
3. 36% – Riders who engage in lane-splitting.
4. 35% – Riders who don’t wear protective gear.
5. 28% – Riders who don’t wear helmets.
I’ve never been passed on the shoulder that I can recall. The percentage of riders who don’t wear protective gear is deplorable. As for the lack of helmet usage, it’s simply idiotic.
Top 5 Rookie Rider Mistakes
1. 38% – Assuming other drivers can see them.
2. 35% – Wanting to show off or impress others.
3. 31% – Buying a bike that’s more than they can handle.
4. 30% – Riding on high traffic roads too soon before they’re comfortable maneuvering their bike.
5. 28% – Failure to check blind spots.
Rookies are among the most dangerous riders the road. Experience brings wisdom.
The survey was conducted in June.
“Motorcycle riding can be incredibly fun and invigorating but our survey results show that riders really need keep their guard up at all times because there are a lot of hazards out there,” said Cody Cook, vice president and product manager at Erie Insurance.
“It also shows how important it is to have the right motorcycle insurance to protect both themselves and their bikes. More than one in 10 riders (11%) admitted to not having any motorcycle insurance.”
FYI, before you click on the above link: While Erie Insurance does operate in New York, it does not sell policies in the New England states.
