Drivers are chucking litter and cigarette butts out of their windows as motorcyclists overtake their vehicles, according to new research.
One third (37%) of bikers reported the behaviour to road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, which surveyed 600 of its motorcycle members on their experiences over the past 12 months.
Motorcyclists told the charity some drivers are deliberately spraying windscreen wash when they are behind them, as well as cutting them up and preventing them from filtering through traffic. Filtering through slow moving traffic is legal if it is done safely and with due care and attention.
Eight in ten (80%) motorcyclists also reported seeing drivers being distracted by mobile phones, and 80% said drivers failed to look out for bikers when pulling out of junctions.
Other worrying behaviours include more than half of drivers failing to check mirrors as they overtake (54%), a third (28%) of people in parked cars opening their doors without checking for bikes (so-called car dooring), and more than 60% of drivers tailgating bikers.
Chris Palmer coaches motorcyclists to become an Advanced Rider with IAM RoadSmart.
Chris, who is a National Observer for IAM RoadSmart Devon Advanced Motorcyclists and rides a BMW R1250GS, said: “I’ve had litter thrown at me as well as cigarette butts, and I’ve been squirted with windscreen wash. Some drivers will do it without thinking and without realising that there’s a bike behind, but in other cases it’s pretty obvious that it’s intentional. Once, I was behind a group of four lads, keeping a safe distance. Then I noticed I was being squirted with windscreen wash, with the lads in the back looking back and laughing.
“They then decided to ramp it up a level and hurled a takeaway container out of the sunroof. Fortunately, it was empty so it just bounced off me. But if that was a heavy item, or if it happened to an inexperienced rider, it might have caused them to swerve and destabilise the bike, resulting in an accident. As well as being reckless, these incidents fuel road rage, which doesn’t help anyone. If this happens, my advice to bikers is to stay calm, don’t engage, keep a distance and overtake when it is safe to do so.”
According to the 2023 DfT’s road casualty data, one third (37%) of motorcycle fatalities were in two vehicle collisions between a motorcycle and a car, and the most common contributory factor allocated to motorcyclists involved in a fatal or serious collisions with another vehicle was ‘Driver or rider failed to look properly’ – accounting for one third (29%) of those killed or seriously injured.
More than 1,000 drivers were also polled, in turn reporting bad behaviour from bikers.
One in three (35%) drivers said they had encountered a biker approaching in their lane while overtaking a vehicle on the other side of the road, risking an oncoming collision. Another 35% said they had been tailgated by a motorcyclist, and 36 percent reported a close pass when being overtaken by a biker.
Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart policy and standards director, said: “Hurling litter and cigarette butts at motorcyclists is shocking and completely reckless. Taking umbrage just because bikers are able to get ahead is at best petty, and at worst downright dangerous.
“Equally motorcyclists should ride responsibly, but it’s important to keep in mind that bikers are some of the most vulnerable on the road and will almost always come off worse in the event of a collision.
“Deaths and serious injuries remain a real concern for motorcyclists, but a little courtesy and additional checks go a long way to improving the safety of some of the most vulnerable on the road.”
Not just motorcyclists. Anyone who’s been riding a bicycle for a few years can recount the same behaviour, and as a cyclist of 60+ years riding, I’ve had many things thrown at me: fags, paper cups and on one occasion, eggs. It’s only a matter of time before someone dies as a result, or it’s very likely that it’s already happened.
With the advent of cameras, I was hoping that such behaviour would gradually fall away, but it won’t unless people report it.
Richard Burton, Lydney
+2
I like motor bikes but now getting a bit old to ride reguarly, l am also a car driver. There ar good and bad on both sides,the comments about car drivers are a bit harsh, its a minority that are unsociable, I live in North Wales and unfotunately fatal motor bike accidents are very common, the main fault is about a dozen of motor cyclist out on a Sunday spin and if the first one overtakes the others have to follow, bends or n.o bends, at a fast speed,
James Williams, North Wales
+1
I find it really disappointing reading all these comments. I’ve been riding for many years and I do around 8,000 miles a year on my bike. I often filter and generally have no issue with cars. Often people move over for me and I thank them. I’ve never had anything thrown at me or any sort of aggressive behaviour. I am wondering if this article has attracted people that have had issues. I don’t commute though so maybe that is some sort of difference. I travel all around the UK and also to France. Maybe I’m just lucky. None of my biker friends have issues either. I do live in Devon so maybe that is something?
Gazza, Devon
+1
Sadly it doesn’t have to be this way. I’ve ridden in many countries around the world where everyone happily makes progress at their own speed. Very little road rage, very little ‘entitlement’ factor. How can we change the culture in the U.K.to be less aggressive and more cooperative? Don’t we all have enough going on already?
Larry Greenfield, Aylesbury
0
Nothing new, I had this behaviour from some drivers when I started riding 25 years ago, still see it today. Sometimes just oblivious to other road users, sometimes deliberate.
I’d also call out some different behaviour. When I’m out and about nowadays I see a lot more van drivers and truckers stopping traffic to let bikes across busy A road junctions. I don’t remember that happening when I started, but I see it a lot now. Much appreciated XD
Rich Baker, NOTTINGHAM
+1
Those who disagree with filtering should think about buying a bike instead of sitting in traffic in a car complaining and blocking us from making progress. If everyone rode a bike there wouldn’t be any traffic jams. We filter because we can! Why should we sit in traffic when we aren’t the cause of the jam! Most of us also drive cars where as most car drivers don’t ride bikes so there is a lack of understanding and awareness.
Oli Green, Wakefield
+54
Personally my thoughts are all Drivers should experience life on 2 Wheels for 2 weeks to a Month , maybe then they’d understand..
But things raised by other Bikers is why I Ride an Ex Police Motorbike, it’s Amazing how I get more Courtesy on the Roads , also see seatbelts done up or mobiles dropped , the idea someone suggested that police riders go out on plain bikes to see Bad Drivers is a Fantastic idea
Paul, Birmingham
+42
I’d have to say that there’s absolutely nothing new under the sun about the bogan or inept behaviors described in this article.
Invariably societies are going to have a % of individuals, often bolstered in their misbehavior by the presence of “mates”, who are going to play games that under some circumstances can have fatal consequences.
We all know that the motorcycle fraternity has the same ilk of non-thinkers in its ranks and that typically they will be male between the ages of 16 to 25…Cannon fodder for armies in essence.
Terry Leach, Auckland
+10
Filtering through slow moving traffic shouldn’t be allowed! Their time more important than others? …
Barry Bennett, Birmingham
--109
I have been riding for over 50 years and this type of thing has always happened
Peter Williams, Chester
+28
I’ve experienced all that David Smith has too plus attempted murder on me TWICE..one was a real attack to kill me about 9 years ago..driver did not lose control of his car..he deliberately aimed his car at me from his side across to head on ..as I was close to kerbside..I threw my bike into the gutter and he missed me by inches..another tried to run me into a parked car..a different scenario was driver on his mobile and swerved head on at me and I squeezed between 2 parked cars..he was sorry..3 novices would have been killed in my place..but I’m a former instructor with Advanced rider training..and took all my evasive action to survive
Mark Ian Clark, London
+18
Very true, been a biker for more years than I can remember, the majority of motorists seem to think because their inside a car they can get away with it, funny how their attitude changes when you get of the bike and confront them, smugness soon changes.
Ronnie Green, Dumbarton
+20
Nothing new in this it’s been going on forever just like deliberately badly set screen washer jets !
Me, Guildford
+11
I think it would be eye opening and very good tactic if police riders used normal motorbikes for a couple days a week to see exactly how motor cyclists are treated. There’s no doubt in my mind that that may be a good way to really see and also deterr car drivers if they know about the operation and I’m sure they will start being nice to motorbikes from that news!
Linda, Blackpool
+91
I ride from my home in west London to Heathrow for work around 1700 4 nights a week and the main trouble is when filtering no use of indicators and wing mirrors and people using phones do they not no it’s against the law also was spat at for telling a woman about using the phone
Chris Murrell, Brentford middx
+32
Have experienced all of the mentioned behaviours in my 50 years of riding. Some quite frequently and its getting worse
David Smith, Brandon
+33
I see a lot of car drivers with mirrors tucked in and I have had people brake for no reason more than once from the same driver when I was riding things thrown out the windows people with phones in hand washers squirting at me the hand waving signs at me and cars trying to push me on the other side of the road or not let me pass. I also believe that car drivers should be 25 onwards and before having a car license they must have a bike license before hand. Now people are having to stay at college longer till 18 I think 18 is a starting point for new bike riders and before this ride a cycle to college In stead of school or college funded busses to get them learning about the road safety side of things.
Bryan, kent
+19
In 30 years commuting daily 40 miles I experienced, cigarette butts lit thrown out windows,rubbish thrown out of sunroofs windows,wet with washers off wipers,40% won’t use mirrors properly changing lanes,phone use is unbelievable and while filtering, cars move into path to block ,even had one driver open door when seen me coming.
A lot do move over and courteous, but always someone.
Amount of cannabis use while driving is on the increase.
Roland Carlile, Newquay
+78
I have some 60 years experience on ‘bikes (and C1). In N. I. i have not experienced trash throwing or deliberate screen wash behaviour, but car door opening is’comon’ either with or without due attention. I have been pushed by drivers dangerously close behind many times, and as Chris advises, best policy is to drop back and pick your moment. Trouble is, in heavy traffic this is usually not possible,,and when it is most likely to occur. My feeling has for a long time been that car drivers should ‘graduate’ from ‘bike or bicycle riding before taking a car driving licence but that’s not going to happen, is it? In N. I. we have a rather greater awareness of motorcycling – you might say that it is more in our blood.
Ciaran Mc Ferran, Bangor
+39
I’ve always thought that motorists would benefit if they had to do the CBT test. This would make them more aware of the vulnerability of being on a bike.
David Chapman, Sunderland
+70