We Are Not Invincible: A Motorcycle Awareness Month Call to Every Motorist on the Road

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. But for many of us, every month is. Every week. Every ride.

Because the truth is this: when you ride a motorcycle, you don’t get to forget — ever. You don’t get to let your guard down — it’s not an option or a decision you choose that day and not the next. You don’t get to breathe easy at a junction or cruise comfortably down a dual carriageway.

You’re watching. Listening. Second-guessing. Every. Single. Move.

Because it might save your life.

And that’s the reality I want to talk about — especially now, as the sun comes out and motorcycles reappear in their thousands on roads across the UK. We’re not a novelty. We’re not adrenaline junkies or reckless kids in leather. We’re mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, partners, key workers, non key workers, nurses, veterans, mechanics, IT managers. We are people — on two wheels.

And we are under threat. Always. It never goes away.

The Past Few Weeks Have Been Terrifying

Let me tell you what’s happened to me personally this month — just the past few weeks, riding my 125cc Ninja through the lanes and roads of Gloucestershire and over into Wales.

I’ve had car drivers come up behind me on a national speed limit road — close enough to read the serial number on my exhaust.

I’ve had drivers tailgated me for miles, pressuring me to go faster than I felt safe and then cut in to only put my wonderful biker hubby through the same. Then, on a bend, they tried to overtake both of us. Into oncoming traffic.

We have held steady. We pull back. But I swear, for a moment, I thought they were going to knock me and him sideways just to prove a point.

Another day, a van decided he’d overtake me at a corner — cut across me mid-turn, missing me by inches. Not realising there are a group of us riding. He laughed in the mirror. I could see him.. Like it was a joke. Like my life. Our lives weren’t at stake.

These aren’t isolated stories. Ask any motorcyclist — whether they ride a 50cc scooter or a 1000cc tourer — and they’ll tell you the same thing. We live on edge. Constantly. And some motorists treat us like we’re fair game. Like it’s sport.

We are NOT.

Road Users: Motorcycling Is Already Dangerous. Don’t Make It Worse.

Yes, motorcycling comes with risk. We accept that. We know that. We do it because we love it. We enjoy motorcycling. Because it heals us. It gives us life. Empowers us. Gives us peace when the rest of the world feels too loud. Riding is our therapy, our pills, our freedom, our sanctuary.

But no biker — not one of us — deserves to be endangered by careless or aggressive driving. We are not hard to see if you’re looking. Truly we’re not. We are not in your way — we are sharing the road. With you. We have every right to be here.

When you cut across us, overtake dangerously, park in bike bays, drift into our lane while checking your phone — you’re playing roulette with our lives. Our lives. And we only get one. Just like you.

The Critical Point of Creating the Safety Bubble

As riders, we talk about our “safety bubble.” That invisible zone we try to maintain around us to react, avoid, escape. To get us out of trouble. But we can’t build that alone.

We need car drivers to respect it. To help us hold it.

So here’s what I’m asking right now and always:

• Look. Properly. Don’t just glance. Look — in your mirrors, over your shoulder, before you turn or pull out. Remember us.

• Leave room. Two seconds isn’t enough. Give us space like you’d want someone to give your child space on their pushbike. Remember us.

• Respect our right to be there. We’re not in your way. We are exactly where we’re allowed to be.

• Do not tailgate us. We can stop faster than you. And you will kill us if you don’t.

• Don’t be a bully. Your four wheels don’t make you more important than our two.

  
  

We Ride With Courage — But We Shouldn’t Have To Ride With Fear

To my fellow riders: I see you. Always. I am you. Whether you’re still learning or have thousands of miles under your belt, know this — your life matters. Your safety matters.

You don’t have to prove anything to anyone on the road. Ride your ride. Stay alert. Be aware. Be present. And never let anyone pressure you into unsafe decisions.

Protect your bubble. Trust your gut. Trust your bike. And ride like they don’t see you — because sometimes they really don’t.

This Month, Let’s Make Noise

Motorcycle Awareness Month shouldn’t be a polite whisper in a digital corner. It should be shouted from every traffic bulletin, taught in every driving test, shared across every community.

This is not a side issue. This is life and death. And it’s time we started treating it as such.

So to the motorists reading this: slow down. Pay attention. Please. And remember, that biker in front of you? That could be someone’s mother. Father. Sister. Brother. Son. Daughter. Friend. Or someone like me, just trying to get home safe.

And to the press: we need your voice. Let’s bring this to the front page. Not after a tragedy. Now — while we still have the chance to make a difference.

We’re not asking for the road. We’re just asking to share it — safely.

Author of Full Throttle Full Heart — now available in paperback on Amazon

Editor, The Brave Rider Diaries & Full Throttle Half Century

Mental Health Advocate | Motorcycle Awareness Advocate

Proud supporter of Make Your MARK and the Bike n Brew initiative

🖤 £1 from every book sold goes to support motorcycle mental health awareness through Motorbiker Acts of Random Kindness.

Thank you. Ride safe.