Guest Post: Motorcycle Safety Tips To Ensure A Good Ride
This guest post has been provided by Sarah Henderson. Sarah is into road safety and making our roads much more safe for cyclists and also motorists. Click here for more information. I hope you’ll find it useful and perhaps thought-provoking.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
There’s nothing like the feel of riding your bike on a beautiful, sunny day. Staying safe on the bike is really up to you. Here are some tips to help you stay safe when you’re out on the bike.
Bike Maintenance
Give your bike a quick check once in a while to ensure that everything is working. Check the lights, brake lights, turn signals and oil on a regular basis. Look at cables to be sure they aren’t frayed or worn and lube the train.
Gear
Quality gear can make the difference in an accident. The helmet should fit well and snugly. It should have the DOT label to show that it meets federal standards. Quality leather pants and a jacket not only look sharp, they also help protect you from road debris. Black is the natural choice, but a brighter color will make you more visible to other drivers. Gloves should be non-slip and the shoes you put on should cover the ankles.
Respect
Motorcycles are naturally harder to see. Engaging in risky behavior like riding on the shoulder or weaving through traffic will increase your chances of being in an accident. It’s also important to obey the speed limit when riding and, of course, never drink alcohol or take drugs before hitting the open road.
Assumptions
Normally, you want to avoid making any assumptions. But when you’re on a bike, there are some that make sense. Assume that there is a car in the lane you want to merge into and check on its location. Further, assume that the driver in that car has not noticed you and proceed with caution.
Take a Rider Safety Class
There are classes available to help make you a safer rider. Consider signing up for one of these affordable classes so you can spend more time enjoying the road and less time dealing with accidents. Plus, several insurance companies offer a discount on insurance premiums if you take a safety course. Allstate Insurance, for example, will reward you with a five percent discount on insurance premiums if you take a motorcycle safety class. Nationwide is another insurance company that will insure your bike and give you a five percent discount for taking a safety course.
Remember that Drivers are Blind
It’s not a conscious choice, but it is a fact that far too many drivers just don’t notice motorcycles. Motorcycle awareness, or the lack thereof, is often cited by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association a leading factor in motorcycle accidents. Make yourself more visible by using your turn signals when possible. Take the time to check your mirror before braking so you can not only watch the object in front of you, but also the car behind you to be sure it is slowing down.
Smooth Riding
Easy accelerations, gentle braking using both brakes, proper gear choice and smooth steering will help you stay safe. Your bike will hold traction on the road better and you will be less likely to land in a ditch.
Slow Down when Necessary
If visibility is poor or the car ahead of you is slowing down, you need to slow down, also. Keep the speed in line with what you can see and leave a distance between you and the car ahead of you.
Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
Royal Enfield making inroads in US
Biker Quote for Today
Gear: Because walking away in disgust beats riding away in an ambulance.
Tags: motorcycle safety
October 10th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Yes- drivers are blind. I’m losing track of the incidents where people have driven into my path as though I didn’t exist. How does one NOT SEE the big man on the big bike?
And glance at the drivers’ mirrors. If you can’t see a face or a head, the driver can’t see you. Pull ahead or fall back to adjust.
October 11th, 2011 at 7:48 am
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June 6th, 2014 at 12:26 am
Yes- drivers are blind. I’m losing track of the incidents where people have driven into my path as though I didn’t exist. How does one NOT SEE the big man on the big bike?
October 13th, 2014 at 1:17 am
Easy accelerations, gentle braking using both brakes, proper gear choice and smooth steering will help you stay safe. Your bike will hold traction on the road better and you will be less likely to land in a ditch.
November 23rd, 2016 at 1:20 am
BMW has revealed the Motorrad Vision Next 100, a sharp self-balancing prototype is a part of its 100th anniversary celebration.
This machine has zero emissions, and has self-balancing wheels which are designed to stand upright even at a complete stop — the stability will make sure that the rider doesn’t need any helmet.
November 23rd, 2016 at 9:23 pm
I’ve read about that, even the part about not needing a helmet, but I can’t see that. Just because it is stable doesn’t mean you will never crash or get hit by someone else. Plus, helmets are pretty dang nice in a rainstorm.