Motorcycle Safety Tips
Motorcycles are an exhilarating, liberating, and enjoyable mode of transportation. Whether you enjoy the camaraderie of a group ride on a weekend or the vistas of an off-pavement excursion, motorcycling engages all your senses and provides an experience that is unique to this form of transportation.
When motorcycles were first invented, the creators couldn’t have predicted that they would become a powerful symbol of culture and community for so many people around the world. From the infamous biker rally in Hollister, CA that inspired Marlon Brando’s role as an outlaw in The Wild One to the biker gangs of Kurt Sutter’s Sons of Anarchy, motorcycling has become a part of our pop culture and helped cultivate a brotherhood or sisterhood for many people that isn’t possible with other forms of transportation.
While the motorcycle has a great deal of freedom and adventure associated with it, it also requires skill to operate safely. For this reason, only experienced riders should attempt to navigate traffic or take risks. Always wear a helmet and protective gear, even on short rides. Obey all traffic laws, including speed limits, turn signals, and lane markings. The majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes occur because other drivers simply didn’t see the rider in their blind spot, so remember to check behind you and signal before changing lanes.
Because of their smaller size, motorcycles are more likely to be hidden in your car’s “blind spot,” so make sure you look before turning or switching lanes. Finally, always be on the lookout for debris and other potential obstacles that may be in the road. Finally, alcohol and drugs, including some prescribed medications, can negatively affect your judgment, coordination, balance, throttle control, and ability to shift gears.