Motorcycles have a reputation for being dangerous, and unfortunately there is some truth in this. Reports show that motorcyclists are over 50% more likely to die in a road accident than a car occupant. In fact, 14% of all traffic fatalities are motorcyclists, despite only making up 3% of road users. The risk of injury is also high when riding a motorcycle. This includes repetitive strains injuries like HAVS (Hand-arm vibration syndrome).
Fortunately, many of the potential dangers of riding a motorcycle can be greatly minimised by taking certain precautions. This post delves into some of the most important safety tips to consider when riding a motorbike.
Choose the right helmet
In many places around the world, it has become legally compulsory to wear a helmet when riding a motorbike. A helmet could greatly reduce your risk of sustaining a serious head injury. That said, you need to make sure that you choose the right helmet. Most modern helmets have to pass minimum safety standards. Older used helmets may not meet these standards, so are best avoided. Make sure that your helmet is the right fit. A helmet that is too loose could come off in an accident, and can cause other issues like chafing or hearing damage from whistling. It’s worth choosing a helmet with a decent visor to protect your face and improve visibility when raining.
Get suited and booted
What clothing should you wear when riding a motorcycle? Is a t-shirt, shorts and sandals acceptable in summer? Ideally, no. It is much better to cover up all of your body including your arms, legs and feet. Tough materials like leather combined with body armour can help reduce injuries if you fall off your bike. One-piece motorcycle suits with these features are the safest option – while they can get hot and sticky in the summer, you can rest assured that you’ll be protected. As for your footwear, it’s worth choosing boots that cover the toes and ankle, and that have good padding and plenty of support to protect your feet..
Protect your hands
A lot of new motorcyclists forget to protect their hands. Not only can a pair of leather gloves reduce the risk of injury in an accident, but they can also protect your hands from damage caused by vibrations. They’ll also keep your hands warm and dry in cold and rainy weather – which is important for comfort if anything else. Look for gloves with padding and armour for maximum protection.
Check gear safety ratings
Most forms of motorcycle gear come with a safety rating. Different countries use different safety ratings. For example, safe US helmets can be identified by a DOT rating, whereas safe UK helmets can be identified via a SHARP rating. CE ratings are useful to research when buying clothing such as jackets and suits. From least safe to most safe, these ratings are ranked like so: C, B, A, AA, AAA. Choosing AAA gear can provide maximum safety. C-rated gear is best avoided unless worn with more protective gear on top.
Avoid riding in snow and ice
Motorcycles have less traction than cars due to only having 2 wheels. Skidding on ice is therefore much more of a hazard. It’s best to avoid riding a motorcycle in snow or ice to reduce your risk of experiencing an accident. Plan to take a car or public transport in such weather.
Don’t ride out the storm
Heavy rain can also be a real danger to motorcyclists. Not only can it make the road slippery, but visibility can be seriously reduced. Such weather can cause many motorcycle accidents – especially when combined with wind. As much as you may want to get to your destination, it’s safer to sit out a storm if you cannot see properly or there is a lot of wind. Ride slowly and pull over somewhere to take shelter until the storm passes. Looking into weather reports ahead can help prevent you from getting caught in a storm.
Keep your hands on the handlebars
As with driving a car, it’s important to focus your hands on steering. Never try to answer your phone or eat while riding a motorcycle – pull over to do these things or wait until you reach your destination. This ensures that you are able to quickly react to hazards that you may need to quickly steer around. A motorcycle accident lawyer will also find it easier to win your case if you do get in an accident with another vehicle and weren’t distracted at the time.
Turn off the music
Music can be a big distraction for motorcyclists. When you wear headphones, you block out all noises around you – some of which you may otherwise rely on to detect hazards. The noise of a motorbike engine can also be very loud, and so you often have to play music even louder to hear it. This can increase the risk of hearing damage. It is much safer to not wear headphones and wear earplugs instead that reduce the sound of your motorbike.
Keep your distance
How you ride can also impact your level of safety. Aside from not speeding and always looking ahead, it’s important to try to keep as much distance as you can from other road users – particularly when at high speeds. Following a car too closely could be deadly if they decide to perform an emergency stop and you end up ramming into the back of them. You also need to be careful when filtering through traffic or passing parked cars – don’t drive too close so that you’re more easily able to swerve out of the way of an opening car door or a car trying to change lanes without warning.
Consider your bike
Some motorcycle models are safer than others. The safest bikes have features like stability control, anti-locking brakes and plenty of lights. Many also have wireless airbags that attach to your jacket to protect you in an accident. This post lists a few examples of bikes with these safety features. Generally speaking, newer bikes are safer. Make sure to also choose a motorbike that is appropriate for your skill level.