Riding a motorcycle can be a very satisfying experience. The freedom on the road is something you can only get from riding a bike. That said, it can also be an extremely dangerous activity if you do not take the proper precautions.
Motorcycle deaths have dropped in recent years, but they still significantly outweigh the amount of injuries caused by passenger vehicle accidents. In 2017, 5,172 people died in a motorcycle accident. Furthermore, you are 28 times more likely to get killed riding a motorcycle than you are in a car or truck.
The following tips will help keep you safe on the road and keep motorcycle injury statistics trending in the right direction.
Wear proper gear
This one should be extremely obvious for all motorcycle enthusiasts. Wearing a helmet may not always be comfortable or cool, but it could save your life if you find yourself in a bad situation. Putting on a jacket, long pants and gloves can also help prevent serious injury if you fall off your bike.
Wearing protective gear will help keep you safe if you are in an accident, but it’s also important that what you wear helps prevent accidents as well. Ideally, you want to wear clothes that make you stand out on the road. The more visible you are to other drivers, the less likely it is that you will be involved in an accident with a larger vehicle.
Avoid bad weather
Most motorcyclists would agree that riding on a bright sunny day is ideal. That said, some bikers do enjoy cruising through other conditions as well. While this may be necessary sometimes, it’s best to try to avoid bad weather riding as much as possible. The simple reason is that bad weather dramatically increases the likelihood of getting into an accident.
It is in your best interest to avoid rain, snow, strong winds and foggy conditions. At the very least, make sure you are prepared for these situations. Simple things like preparation can make a huge difference on the road.
Beware of blind spots
It is no secret that motorcycles are much smaller than the average vehicle on the road. This naturally makes it more difficult for other drivers to see you riding near them. It’s important that you are aware of when you might be in the blind spot of a fellow driver.
This is especially true when other drivers are trying to turn. These instances tend to reflect a high number of accidents involving motorcycles every year. Do everything in your power to help drivers see you on the road and be aware of the blind spots of oversized vehicles.
Safe driving habits
It is impossible to overstate the importance of getting comfortable practicing safe driving habits. Most motorcyclists are aware of how to safely ride, but many still ignore these practices.
You should be on high alert from the moment you get on your motorcycle. Stay aware of your surroundings and make sure to ride within the laws. Speeding, illegal turns and other unsafe habits play a large role in the high number of motorcyclist injuries and deaths.
