Motorcycle Safety – Make it No. 1 Priority
Jan 5th, 2010 by ladyjean
Motorcycle riding is much more dangerous than driving a car, but there are some things you can do to make it as safe as possible.
This informative article by Coleen Bennett tells you how:
Make Safety a High Priority:
Motorcycles are a great option for transportation. They use a lot less gas than cars, they take up less space on the highway and in parking lots, and they’re just plain fun to ride. The bad news is that they’re more dangerous than cars. There are some things you can do to make it as safe as possible.
Motorcycles are more difficult to see than cars. So no matter how good a driver you are, there’s a better chance that other drivers sharing the road with you won’t see you before it’s too late. For your own safety, you need to take the extra step to make sure that you’re seen. Stay out of other drivers’ blind spots. Don’t approach another car so quickly that they don’t have time to notice you. Be obvious. Yes, other drivers should be observant, but experience shows us that they miss seeing motorcycles sometimes. Since you are the one most likely to be hurt in an accident, it’s to your benefit to make the extra effort.
Tip! There is a difference between agressive driving and road rage.
Weather conditions have a greater impact on motorcycles than on cars. Wet, slippery or icy roads, wind, decreased visibility due to fog – all of these increase the chances of an accident no matter what you’re driving. But motorcycles are more susceptible than cars are. Instead of four wide tires to grip the road, you have two narrow tires. Balance is maintained by the driver rather than the vehicle and can be thrown off by a strong wind. The size of a bike already makes you harder to see. Add weather-related visibility issues, and you really have a problem. What can you do? Avoid riding your bike in adverse weather conditions. Drive a car that day or take the bus. It’s just not worth the risk.
Motorcycle riders’ bodies are much more exposed to the road. In a car, you have a steel cage all around you. Cars are made so that if they crumple, the passenger space is still as safe as possible. Motorcycles don’t have that opportunity. There’s nothing to protect you at all. You need to wear a helmet and protective clothing. The helmet, of course, is the most important safety equipment. It protects your head in case of an accident. But don’t forget long sleeves and long pants – preferably leather. They could save you from a nasty road rash.
Take care of your bike. Any vehicle could fail if not properly maintained, the consequences to you are just greater if that vehicle is a bike. So make sure your motorcycle is always in tip top shape mechanically. You need to rely on your brakes, your accelerator and everything else. Your life could depend on it.
Last, but not least, get good insurance, both health insurance and motorcycle insurance. No matter how careful you are, accidents do happen. Make sure that if something happens, you have insurance that will cover your medical expenses, liability and the repairs to your bike. Take the time before there’s a problem to compare motorcycle insurance options. It will be well worth it.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article and can put some of these great motorcycle safety techniques to good use.
