We love that feeling of being out on the open road, don’t we? But we need to think about staying safe with these motorcycle safety tips, because when you share the road with cars, it’s just too easy to find yourself getting injured, or injuring others. If you love to ride, think about how you can enjoy it while keeping everyone one the road safe with these 10 tips.
- Having the right gear – In order to protect yourself on the road when riding a motorcycle, you have to wear the right gear. A helmet, gloves, and boots are the most important things you can wear and should be considered a must, but additional things to consider are a leather jacket and pants. If you ever took a spill, you would be glad you did.
- Know what you’re doing – If you are new to motorcycling, consider taking a course or getting advice from someone with some experience. Knowing what to expect can go a long way in keeping you safe.
- Ride a motorcycle that is right for you – Having a bike that is easy to ride is important so choose a model and size that suits you. There are plenty of other things to think about on the road and struggling to control your bike shouldn’t be one of them. Be sure you maintain your bike and have the supplies you need for the ride.
- Drive defensively – When driving a motorcycle, you’re much more vulnerable than you are when driving a car. You need to pay close attention to what everyone around you is doing because cars are not looking for you. It’s important to avoid distractions and watch the road at all times. Watching where you’re headed will keep you from finding yourself in the oncoming traffic and paying attention to road conditions will help you to avoid sliding off your bike.
- Don’t tailgate or swerve in and out of traffic – One of the most common cause of accidents is driving too close to another vehicle. Motorcyclists need to be even more cautious because one wrong move can have you tossed from your bike at speeds that would make recovery unlikely. Moving in and out of traffic makes even the most cautious cars unaware that you are there, making an accident even more likely to occur.
- Consider the weather – As you know, even a little rain can wreak havoc on the roads and even more so for motorcyclists. Between visibility issues and the lack of traction, the weather can make the road a dangerous place for riders.
- Keep it smooth – Part of riding safely means staying in control. Don’t pull out too fast and definitely don’t put on the brakes too suddenly. As a motorcyclist, you will continue to learn and as you do, your rides will continue to get better and be safer.
- Be courteous – No one wants to see bad behavior on the road but it happens all the time. It’s important to stay cool and be mindful of others on the road. Drivers of cars don’t make it a point to watch for motorcycles so you will need to be extra careful and keep your distance as much as possible.
- Consider getting anti-lock brakes – There are a number of studies that show that anti lock brakes can save lives. Whenever a motorcyclists is put into a dangerous position on the road, instincts kick in and they tend to hit the brakes, sometimes causing them to get tossed over their bike. Anti lock brakes help you to maintain control of your steering in emergency situations.
- Teach your passengers – Riding with a passenger is a great way to travel but like you, they need to have some information about how to stay safe and keep you safe as well. Be sure they have the right gear and then it’s a good idea to instruct them on how you make turns and let them get a feel for that motion. Not only will it keep you both safe, it will make the ride that much more enjoyable.
Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun, but like many exhilarating activities, it can be very dangerous. Hopefully these 10 motorcycle safety tips will help to keep you safe on the road.