The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

Basic Tips for Motorcycle Safety
July 8, 2009

Though it would seem like riding a motorcycle is pretty basic once you understand how the bike runs (steering, braking, etc), there are a lot of safety precautions that motorcyclists need to bear in mind when they ride.

Unfortunately, not all riders are aware of the principles for safer riding, which has led to recent motorcycle awareness programs sponsored at the state and federal levels to inform motorcyclists about potential dangers and the best techniques for preventing motorcycle accidents.

Yet no matter how thorough an awareness campaign is, in the end it is the responsibility of the individual rider to learn and incorporate safer riding methods to protect themselves on the road.

The Principle of Visibility

An alarming rate of motorcycle crashes occur simply because other drivers did not see the motorcyclist approaching or driving alongside them. All riders need to be aware of these common visibility problems and adjust their driving techniques to make sure their bike stands out on the road, especially when driving at night.

Riders can increase their visibility by using their headlights both at night and during daylight hours to help make other drivers aware of their presence.

Motorcycle riders can also make themselves more visible to motorists by wearing protective clothing and helmets with reflective strips or decals that will draw drivers’ eyes.

When choosing an appropriate position on the road, remember that motorcycles are small in comparison with other vehicles and motorcyclists should avoid entering other vehicles’ blind spots. Using additional measures such as tapping the brakes to activate your brake lights or using your horn can notify drivers that you are nearby and can help prevent possibly fatal collisions.

The Biker’s Dress Code

Protective gear is a rider’s best friend, and in the unfortunate cases where motorcycle crashes do occur the resulting injuries are usually far less serious if the person involved was properly dressed to ride.

The first place to start is your head. Riders can protect themselves by using a certified helmet (in the right size) and eye protection (full-face helmets have this built in). Choosing a helmet in a light color, such as white, has been proven to increase other people’s awareness of a motorcyclist’s position.

Use thick clothing to protect the other parts of your body. Leather is a favorite choice of motorcyclists all over the world because it has the thickness and durability needed to minimize potential motorcycle injuries during a crash. Wearing sturdy boots that protect your ankles are another important piece of safety gear that can help protect riders out on the road.

Having the Right Mindset

In addition to all the safety measures outlined above, riders should make sure that they have the right mindset while cruising on the open road. Some motorcycle injuries are ultimately the result of aggressive biker attitudes which can result in high risk maneuvers or poor driving decisions that can increase the risk for a collision.

There is no room for distraction when it comes to avoiding motorcycle injury. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends using their “SEE” strategy (referring to three steps: search, evaluate, and execute) to help motorcyclists navigate the road safely.

Riders should remember to always err on the side of caution, and adopt motorcycle safety strategies that can help them enjoy their time on the road. By incorporating protective gear and other riding techniques that increase their visibility, motorcyclists will be much less likely to end up as another unfortunate fatality in the news.