Riding a motorcycle is something that is very exhilarating. It can add a lot of fun to your life. At the same time, it is quite dangerous. In a car you are protected in case of an accident. With all the bad drivers out there at least you have a frame that can withstand a bad crash for you. In a motorcycle, it’s just you and the road.
That’s why personal injury lawyers are so busy with motorcycle accident victims like the attorneys from this website.
This is why it’s so important to be able to avoid an accident. Even if you aren’t at fault you don’t want to be in an accident that could be fatal or life altering. There are many ways to avoid an accident when you are a motorcycle rider so that you can stay even safer.
In this article, we will go over several tips to keep you safe when riding your motorcycle.
1 – Research your route
Knowing what to expect when you are on the road is going to go a long way to stay safe. Road conditions are something that can surprise even the most veteran motorcyclists. When you encounter something unexpected, you have to know exactly how to react. Knowing it ahead of time allows you the ability to react in the best way possible.
For instance, if you check out your route online, you may find that the road is being repaved so you should expect the road to be dug up and dangerous to drive on for a motorcyclist. This means that you can take another route and be safe. Otherwise you will be forced to ride on unsafe road surfaces.
Traffic is also a major concern. It’s not just annoying to sit in traffic when you are on a motorcycle. You will encounter confused drivers that are also in a rush. In a construction zone, or an area where there is a road closed which is causing the traffic, then you could find yourself facing a crazy driver trying to get out of the traffic.
Take the time to find out what is happening on your route so you can plan out your trip in the safest way possible.
2 – Don’t be aggressive
It can be very annoying when you are riding and then somebody tries to pass you and then slows down in front of you. It is very tempting to ride aggressively to confront them and let them know they were wrong. The problem is that this solves nothing and puts you in danger.
The best way to deal with a situation like that is to take the high road and let it go. Just slow down and accept that the person is not a respectful driver. The same goes for when you are cut off at an intersection, or even if somebody is just driving too slow and you want to pass. Pass when it is safe to do so and not in an aggressive manner at a curve or anything like that.
Always stay on the right side of safety instead of making sure everybody knows that you’re right.
3 – Keep the bike maintained
Before you set out for your ride, you should always be checking your motorcycle for anything that could pose a safety threat once you’re out. For instance, look on the pavement for any fluid that might have leaked from the motor. Gaskets can crack and allow fluid to leak which can be very dangerous when you’re riding.
You should also check for any bits that might be loose that could fall off when riding. Check your lights and fenders as these are the biggest culprits for being loose. Then, look to make sure that your tires are filled to the proper PSI and don’t have any punctures in them.
You’re responsible for making sure that your motorcycle is in good working order. Take it into the shop if it starts running strangely or is in need of routine maintenance for the mileage.
4 – Stay alert
It is trendy these days to have a radio playing while you drive either out loud or in your helmet. This is a bad idea as it can be very distracting and also prevent you from hearing things happening around you. If you can’t hear a siren then you could be in serious danger.
Looking at your phone while driving is also extremely dangerous. Even if the phone is mounted to your bike, you should always have your eyes on the road. In fact, your eyes should be all over the road so you can see what is happening well ahead of you and even in your mirrors to see what is happening around you at all times.
You’re less likely to change lanes and run into a car that was there without you knowing if you are checking your mirrors every few seconds to see what is happening around you.
5 – Take classes
There are two times in every motorcycle rider’s life when you should take some motorcycle safety courses. The first is when you are just learning to ride and are looking to get your motorcycle driver’s license. Since you are green you will need to know a lot about how to stay safe on a motorcycle.
The next time is when you have been driving for a few years. When you have experience, you tend to think you already know everything and your expertise will keep you safe. What also happens is that you form bad driving habits over the years. Taking some courses will remind you that there is always more to learn. You will also learn that you have taken on those bad habits and will have some tips on how to break them and start driving safer than you ever have. It is never a bad idea to take a refresher course on how to stay safe riding a motorcycle.