http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...car/23971.html

MOTORCYCLISTS are 23% safer behind the wheel of a car than non-motorcyclists, according to a leading insurer.

Equity Red Star compared car drivers to car users who also have an insured motorcycle, and found the latter 23% less likely on average to make a claim on their car policy.

The firm also adjusted the figures to take into account the different typical ages of car drivers and motorcyclists, and still found the riders to be 21% better behind the wheel. The results showed motorcyclists were 20% less likely to make a bodily injury claim on their car policy.

The insurer examined 200 million policies between 2007 and 2012.

Rob Clark, Equity Red Star’s Head of Retail Motor, said: “A motorcyclist could, behind the wheel of a car, be said to be 23% better.”

Clark presented the data yesterday at a conference organised by the Motorcycle Industry Association to examine evidence that increasing the number of motorcyclists on the road could actually improve safety.

The conference was held in the offices of the Department for Transport in London.

 

I can see that being true. People who ride bikes are used to defensive riding and it takes over in a car too. We're used to looking around and seeing what's around us and it makes sense that we're better behind a wheel.

 

Agreed. I see it in my son who is now a Harley rider. His driving style has gone from aggressive to defensive, even in his car.

 

So motorcyclists should get lower insurance rates, right?

I definitely drive my car different since starting to ride. Partly because every time I'm in the cage I wish I was riding the bike, so that's what I imagine I'm doing.

 

Makes sense. I'm going to contact my agent and demand a 23% discount. Wish me luck.

 

It doesn't hurt the statistics that all the really foolish motorcyclists are soon weeded out by mother nature.

 

I don't know. I've seen some pretty shitty drivers with large HD stickers on the backs of their mini-vans.

 

Probably most of them don`t even own a motorcycle.

 

I'm always very aware of what's going on around me, whether on the bike or in my truck. Dad taught me to always look 2 miles ahead, and 1 mile behind. That being said, I have a lead foot and little patience for anyone else who doesn't. Rare I hot rod the bike, only broke triple digits with her once.... not so much with 4 wheels.

 

Someone forgot to tell the insurance company to adjust our rates. The rate to cover my truck actually went up after getting a motorcycle. My Uncle was a claims adjuster and told me that insurance companies consider those who ride motorcycles to be higher risk-takers in general.