When spring and summer finally arrive, the number of motorcycles on the road drastically increases. It’s more ecological, it’s more fun, and it’s more efficient than riding a car. However, staying safe on two wheels is a big concern. We cannot always be 100% safe, no matter how careful we are. This is because our safety depends on other drivers’ actions as well. What we can do is decrease our chances of getting into trouble by following several safety rules.
Here are our motorcycle safety tips that you should definitely incorporate into your riding.
Never Ride Without a Helmet
Putting a helmet on before riding your bike should be a reflex motion. Wearing a helmet is the best thing that you can do to protect yourself from more serious injuries in case of a fall. Statistics show that you are five times more likely to sustain a critical head injury if you are not wearing a helmet.
Preferably, you should choose a helmet that has eyewear as well. If not, put on a pair of good-quality eyeglasses with a strong UV protection. It will protect your eyes from harmful sun rays and protect you from bugs and other tiny foreign objects.
Wear Motorcycling-Specific Gear
Wearing a proper motorcycling jacket and pants will offer you a lot of protection when you hit the ground. These usually come with elbow, shoulder, and knee guards which will save these critical joints in case of a fall. The jacket and the pants are made from durable material usually laced with Kevlar which protects your skin from abrasion injuries.
A good pair of gloves is also absolutely crucial as your hands are usually the first thing that meets the ground if you sustain a fall.
Follow Traffic Rules
It is tempting to break the traffic rules when you are riding a motorcycle because it seems that doing so for some of them is quite innocent. However, you should always make sure to strictly obey them, especially the speed limits. The contact surface your bike makes with the ground is much smaller than that of a car. Therefore, it will take you longer to brake than you would need riding a car. The faster you go, the longer you will need to stop.
Ride Defensively and Educate Yourself
You should never assume that a driver has seen you until you establish eye contact with them. Always be prepared to brake or perform a maneuver to protect your integrity on the road since most motorcycling accidents are caused by car drivers violating the right of way of riders.
Even when you think that your riding skills are good enough, never stop learning and educating yourself. Go to an empty parking lot and practice basic safety maneuvers so that you are always ready to perform them when necessary.
Prepare Before You Ride
Both your bike and you should be in the best possible condition for riding before you put your helmet on and ride away. For you, this means that you have slept well and that you are not tired. Moreover, never ride if you are not sober, no matter how confident you feel.
Before riding, make sure that your bike is functioning properly. Check tire pressure, oil levels, gas, lights and signals, and so on. If everything seems right, only then you start your ride.