Riding season is here. Whether you're dusting off your hog or sharing the road with riders, everyone needs to understand the rules of the road when it comes to motorcycles.

We see too many crashes that could’ve been avoided if drivers better understood the rights of motorcyclists. So, let’s lift the visor and take a clear look at what every driver needs to know.

Smaller Size, Same Rights

Sure, motorcycles have fewer wheels, but that doesn’t mean they have fewer rights. Under the law, motorcycles have the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle on the road.

Regardless of how you feel about how a motorcyclist is driving, it does not permit you to cut them off, merge into their lane, or pretend you didn’t see them.

Motorcycles deserve the same respect as cars or even 18-wheelers.

Lane Positioning Isn’t “Hogging the Road”

Like any vehicle, motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane. Riders may position themselves in the middle, left, or right, depending on what gives them the best visibility and safety.

Just because your vehicle can technically fit in the space next to a motorcycle doesn’t mean you’re allowed to “share” the lane. It’s not only illegal, it’s dangerous.

Important note: Two motorcycles may share the same lane side-by-side if they choose. But a car and a motorcycle? Never.

Motorcycles need space to maneuver, especially when a quick swerve or emergency brake could mean the difference between life and death.

“I Didn’t See Them” Is an Excuse, Not a Legal Defense

One of the most common phrases after a motorcycle crash is: “I didn’t see them.”

A rider’s smaller size does not relieve a driver of responsibility. Motorcycles can be harder to spot, but that just means drivers must take extra care: double-check blind spots, mirrors, and intersections before making a move.

Failing to notice a motorcycle doesn’t excuse reckless or negligent driving.

Lane Splitting Isn’t Legal in Louisiana

This one’s more for the riders, but it’s important for drivers to understand, too. Lane splitting (when a motorcycle rides between lanes of slow or stopped traffic) is legal in some states, like California. In Louisiana and most other states, it is not.