Motorcycle Safety Awareness for Riders
May 3, 2023
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. There are over 160,000 registered motorcycles in Massachusetts. Over 2,000 motorcycle accidents occur every year in the state; 80% of them resulting in a serious injury or death. Motorcycles are completely different to operate than cars; they have a different set of safety tips they should be following. Let’s dive into some safety tips for motorcyclists.
The first and most important motorcycle safety tip to remember is to be mindful of collision traps and escape paths. People driving cars often don’t notice motorcycles. Ride within your skill level and situational limits.
Know Your Bike and How to Use It
- It is important to study your bike’s owner’s manual and make it a habit of doing a pre-ride check.
- This pre-ride check consists of checking the lights, tire pressure, and fluids.
- Get formal hands-on training and take refresher courses.
- Develop your riding techniques before venturing into traffic. The most important of these techniques are emergency braking and swerving maneuvers. Practice often to keep your skills sharp.
- Corner within your skill limits. Aggressive cornering is a major cause of accidents.
- Know how to handle your bike in adverse conditions, such as wet or sandy roads, high winds, and uneven surfaces.
Here’s an on-the-bike checklist that you can follow as part of your training:
- Do you feel cramped?
- Are your shoulders relaxed?
- Is your back comfortable?
- Have you checked the clutch and brake levers? Do they have a proper amount of resistance with some jiggle in the handle?
Be Visible
- Remember that motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles. Pretend that nobody on the road sees you and drive defensively, and you can avoid potential accidents.
- Make sure that your headlight works and is on day and night.
- Use reflective strips or decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle.
- Avoid riding in the blind spots of cars and trucks.
- If possible, flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping.
- Have an escape route in case a motorist doesn’t see you and violates your right-of-way.
Dress for Safety
- Dress for a crash as well as the ride.
- Wear a quality helmet and eye protection. A full-face helmet provides the best protection. The chin is the most common point of impact in motorcycle accidents.
- Wear leather or other sturdy, protective clothing (jacket and pants); over the ankle boots, and gloves
- Bright clothing and a light-colored helmet increase the chances of being seen.
Apply Effective Motorcycle Safety Mental Strategies
- Constantly search the road for changing conditions. Use the Search-Evaluate-Execute strategy to assess and respond to hazards before you have to react to an emergency.
- Give yourself space and time as you search for traps and escape paths.
- Give other motorists time and space to respond to you.
- Use lane positioning to see and be seen.
- Search for vehicles that may turn across your path, especially at intersections.
- Use your turn signals for all turns and lane changes.
- Don’t ride when you’re tired or under the influencer of alcohol or other drugs.
- Know and follow the rules of the road. Consult your local DMV for the exact rules of the road in your state.
WebFirst Insurance offers insurance on motorcycles, along with other Recreational Vehicles. As this biking season starts up, consider checking out WebFirst Insurance to fulfill your insurance needs. We provide exceptional service and years of insurance knowledge to help find you an affordable rate based on your needs.