The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

Motorcycle Safety No No’s for Bikers
April 16, 2010

Spring is here and bikers will be flocking to the roads in large numbers all over the country. As the weather warms up in the north, bikers will be firing up their bikes and reconnecting with their bikes, biker friends, and favorite runs.

As more bikers hit the road (as well as motorists), it’s good to review motorcycle safety. In order to stay safe on the road, there are a few things that bikers should avoid at all costs. Partaking in any of these activities can end in disaster.

• Drugs/Alcohol/Stress: Riding under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs should NEVER be done. Anything that causes a rider to have less than perfect concentration and attention to road condition is a reason to not ride. Extreme stress can also lead to road inattention and should be avoided.

• Racing/Stunting: Racing and performing stunts like wheelies and endos on public streets is illegal and highly dangerous. These activities put the lives of bikers, motorists, and pedestrians at risk. Fines for these activities are extremely high as well.

• Riding with Strangers: This may not sound like a huge risk but riding in formation with strangers can be very dangerous. It’s always important to ride with people whose riding habits, attention to safety, and sobriety you are familiar with.

• Aggressive Driving: Riding a motorcycle requires a defensive mindset in order to avoid potentially bad situations. Aggressive passing, speeding, quick starts and stops can put a biker in a position where a collision or fall cannot be avoided.

• Poorly Maintained Motorcycles: Motorcycles are finely tuned machines and require regular  maintenance like all vehicles. Since a motorcycle has only two wheels, motorcycles need to be more closely maintained than cars. A motorcycle that is not maintained well may not be able to maintain its connection with the road when turning, braking, or accelerating. This can cause the ride to lose control.

Be safe this spring and make sure to keep your focus on the road and on motorcycle safety.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in the Boston or Andover area, contact personal injury lawyer and avid biker Tom Kiley! Or order a FREE copy of Tom Kiley’s motorcycle accident guide, Do Loud Pipes Save Lives.