When should you avoid riding alongside other vehicles?

Avoiding riding alongside other vehicles is essential for motorcycle safety, and doing so whenever possible is a prudent strategy. Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than cars, making it easy for other drivers to overlook them, especially during lane changes or turns. By staying clear of other vehicles, a rider can reduce the risk of being caught in a situation where they might be squeezed or forced to react quickly due to another driver’s actions.

Riding alongside vehicles can also limit a rider’s escape routes in the event of an emergency. A motorcycle rider should always be mindful of their position on the roadway to maintain control and safety. Therefore, making the effort to ride away from larger vehicles, when it’s safe to do so, creates a buffer that can provide better reaction time and visibility.

Other options suggest absolute avoidance or conditions that don’t necessarily relate to the broader context of safety. For example, avoiding riding alongside vehicles "all the time" is impractical; there will be situations, such as on a multi-lane highway, where it's unavoidable. In heavy traffic, the risk may increase, but this doesn’t mean it’s necessary to avoid it altogether; rather, one should exercise extra caution. Lastly, suggesting to avoid this action "while in motion"