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OTHERS - MOTOR CYCLISTS

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Print this page OTHERS - MOTOR CYCLISTS

LICENCE
You must hold a current driving licence or provisional licence to cover the riding of a motorcycle (see Part 1).

If you hold a provisional licence you may not carry a pillion passenger.

INSURANCE AND TAX
It is an offence to use a motorcycle unless it is taxed and insured. If you are licensed to do so and wish to carry a pillion passenger, you should first check that the terms of your insurance policy permit you to do so. Compulsory third party motor insurance does not extend to pillion passengers. This means that if a pillion passenger is injured due to negligent driving by the driver of the motorcycle, he or she will probably not be compensated for injuries by the motorcyclist's insurance company. This does not relieve the motorcycle driver of his legal liability to the injured passenger but practical difficulties (the driver's inability to pay) may make it impossible for an injured party to recover damages in these instances.

LIGHTING
A motorcycle must have a headlamp (white or yellow), a red rear lamp, a red rear reflector and rear number plate lighting.

CRASH HELMETS
Riders and pillion passengers of motor cycles must wear crash helmets of an approved standard and correct fit and correctly fastened. The rider of a motor cycle is responsible for ensuring that the pillion passenger wears a helmet. The likelihood of a motor cyclist being killed or seriously injured is greater than for any other class of road user. (Motorcyclists are statistically ten times more likely to be killed in a road accident than car drivers.) Head injuries are a major cause of motor cycle deaths. The law requiring crash helmets to be worn by riders and pillion passengers was enacted in the interests of the safety of the motor cyclists themselves.

ON THE MOTORCYCLE
You must ride astride the motorcycle at all times and so must any pillion passenger. In addition the following should be noted:

• The normal rule of driving on the left applies to motor cyclists in just the same way as it does for other roads users.
• The relatively small size of a motorcycle makes it difficult for other road users to see.
• The motorcycle gives little or no protection to the rider in an accident.

For these reasons motor cyclists should:
• Take steps to ensure that they are clearly visible to other road users by -
• In daylight wearing fluorescent (orange) material either in the form of a jerkin or slipover and by using dipped headlamps.
• At night wearing reflective armbands or strips of reflective material on outer clothing to improve visibility to other traffic from the side, front and rear.
• Avoid riding between traffic lanes.
• Keep well clear of other vehicles when passing them (remember that'other motorists may not always see you in their "blind area").
• Give correct hand signals when moving off, changing direction, and stopping. (See also pages 15 and 16).
• Before moving off or changing road position, always check that it is safe to do so by looking over your shoulder. (The mirror alone is not sufficient).

More detailed information on care, safety and maintenance of motor cycles is contained in the booklet 'This is Your Bike' available from the National Safety Council, 4 Northbrook Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Motor Cyclists | Pedestrians | Pedal Cyclists | Fire and Emergency | agricultural machinery / animals