Being a bike is not like being a car driver. Motorcycles are more demanding, requiring more skill, control and level of focus comparing with driving a car.
We combined together some most important safety tips which will help motorcyclists to avoid accidents and crashes:
How to ride safe and avoid motorcycle accidents: tips
- See and be seen. Make eye contact with other motorists, use hand signals to notify about braking or lane changes.
- Pay attention to intersections and slow down approaching. More than 30% of motorcycle accidents or collisions happen at intersections. Bikers usually move much faster than most cars do so many drivers just don’t expect a bike to approach so rapidly.
- Protective gear is your everything. When you buying your bike stuff, consider falling not riding. It is never too much of safety which helps reduce your risk of an injury.
- Don’t follow too close to other motor vehicles (tailgating). Extra space will give you some time and space for maneuvering and avoid a
collision. - Look around and assess the situation as frequently as you can – always be aware of everything around you.
- Choose your speed and riding style according to traffic, weather and road conditions.
- Watch for road debris such as sand, wet leaves and rocks and other that can make your motorcycle or scooter to slide.
- Exercise caution around road surface irregularities. Speed bumps, inclines, railroad tracks, potholes and manholes can be dangerous to two-wheelers if not traversed carefully.
- Be gentle with your use of brakes, throttle and steering in bad weather.
- How about slick tires? They tend to have better grip on asphalt surfaces – water doesn’t get caught in the treads.
- The last but not least: do not drink or use drugs and ride! This is the most dangerous combination of factors.
Equipment for bikers: how to be visible and protected
Motorcycle riders and their passengers MUST always wear a safety helmet. This is the law. Safety helmets must be approved and bear an appropriate logo, e.g. Snell, CSA, BSI, DOT, ECE 22.05). They also must have a smooth external surface, be easily fastened under the chin and be undamaged of course.
In addition to a safety helmet, bikers should wear safety equipment such as a leather jacket and pants, gloves with full fingers and boots that cover the ankles, decrease injuries in a crash.
If you wear bright colors, it certainly will make your much more visible to other motorists, increasing chances of getting noticed on time. Reflective coatings and materials are effective at night.
Ride safe!
