Riding on the open road somewhere isn't nearly as dangerous for motorcyclists as riding on a city street full of passenger cars and dangerous intersections. If you're doing a lot of city riding, here's what you need to know to keep yourself safe.

Why do motorists overlook motorcycles so often?

A lot of accidents involving motorcycles happen because the drivers of passenger cars simply don't see the motorcyclist -- even when they're looking right at a bike and rider! The complicated way that human eyesight and brains work together can cause a driver to overlook a motorcycle that's in plain sight. Motorcycles are small, unobtrusive, and somewhat unexpected -- so drivers don't consciously register their presence the way they should.

What does that mean for you? If you want to stay safe while riding through the streets, you need to make yourself as visible as possible so that you attract attention from drivers -- particularly at intersections where you're in danger from traffic in more than one direction.

What can you do to make yourself more visible while riding?

There are a number of different things that you can do to increase the odds that other motor vehicle drivers will consciously notice your presence on the road. They include:

Choose your position carefully. Don't tailgate the vehicle in front of you, because that reduces your visibility to drivers in other lanes, especially when they're waiting to turn. 

Weave a little. Sure, you can hold your bike straight as an arrow in your lane -- but that actually reduces your visibility to other drivers because of the narrow lines of your bike. Weaving a little gives drivers flashes of the sides of your bike and forces drivers to pay more attention.

Make eye contact. Whenever possible, particularly at intersections, make eye contact with other drivers. That helps you get your presence into their consciousness and can prevent a driver from jumping the gun at a light change.

What other steps can you take to increase visibility?

Some of your stylistic choices as a rider can also make you safer. For example:

Get some noise-makers. If you've ever heard the phrase, "Loud pipes save lives," you can believe it. Loud exhaust pipes can help attract attention and alert drivers that you're there even if they don't see you at first. A horn doesn't come standard on most motorcycles but consider investing in one to use on occasion.

Wear bright clothing. A brightly-colored helmet and a bright jacket can be even more useful than the reflective material on your bike when it comes to alerting drivers of your presence. 

Ultimately, even if you do everything that you can to be visible, some drivers may still not see you in time. If you do end up in an accident due to another driver's negligence, a motorcycle accident attorney can help protect your rights and get you the compensation you need to make a full recovery.