Did you know that motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than car passengers?
In 2018, 4,985 motorcycle riders were sadly killed in accidents.
Whilst riding a motorcycle can be a fun way of getting from A to B, if you do not take the proper safety precautions, you could be seriously injured or worse, like evidence shows.
Before you jump straight onto your motorcycle, please read and consider the motorcycle safety tips we’re going to share with you.
We hope that these awesome tips will shed light on why you need to put your safety as the number one priority and what you can do to protect yourself.
Read on for more information.
1. Always Wear a Helmet
Wearing a helmet is the most useful and important piece of safety equipment to wear while riding a motorcycle.
Most states require you to wear a helmet by law, but unfortunately not all. It’s important to check what the law is in your state, but we strongly advise you to wear one regardless.
Helmets are designed to protect your head, and most importantly, your brain from injury if you were to have an accident.
There’s no doubt that helmets have saved thousands of lives, as well as preventing serious long term health issues such as brain damage.
Helmets are available to buy as a full face, 3/4 or 1/2 face covering but, full-face helmets are the safest.
Your helmet should be either DOT certified or comply with the European Safety Standard 22.05.
Helmets shouldn’t be too tight or too loose while on your head. Make sure to ask for help when buying a helmet to ensure you get the correct fit.
2. A Motorcycle Jacket
These can be overlooked by some motorcyclists, but they have a wide range of safety benefits.
Motorcycle jackets are tougher than everyday jackets, and thus, offer superior protection should you suffer a fall.
They’re either made from leather or non-leather material and have built-in protection for your forearms, elbows, and shoulders.
This can prevent you from suffering from severe cuts, friction burns, or even broken bones during an accident.
When choosing a jacket, look for one that is heavy and durable but still comfortable to wear. Pay attention to the built-in padding and choose bright colors for added safety while riding at night.
Also, consider how many pockets it has to make sure you can always carry your essentials.
3. Motorcycle Gloves
These can be overlooked by some motorcyclists but they can offer enormous benefits while riding.
Firstly they offer protection from elements such as the sun, snow, and rain, ensuring that your hands stay dry, warm and do not sunburn.
Having cold wet hands while riding can be very dangerous as they may feel numb, which can limit your movement. They may also slip from the handlebars, causing you to lose balance and fall.
In fact, motorcycle gloves add grip, which increases your control over the motorcycle while steering.
Secondly, they also offer protection in the event of an accident by helping to prevent cuts and friction burns.
Gloves should fit snuggly on to your hands and not be too tight in which they start to affect blood circulation.
Always buy from reputable stores or websites, and we suggest you try them on before buying. Make sure you replace them if the grip fades or if they become damaged.
4. Pants and Boots
Other clothing items you should consider are motorcycle pants and boots.
Purpose made motorcycle boots have tight, neat laces which help prevent them from becoming tangled in your bike. They also offer superior protection from the weather so your feet should stay warm.
Boots have protection around the ankle in case of an accident. We advise you to check if they’re waterproof and if not, coat them in a waterproof layer.
Motorcycle pants can also be a really useful purchase. They normally have padding for the knees, hips, and thighs to help prevent injury if you fall.
They can also help keep you warm while riding.
5. Don’t Ride Drunk
If should be obvious to not ride a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol, yet, people still do it.
Alcohol affects your reaction times and makes you far more likely to have an accident.
You can also be arrested by the police if you’re caught so that’s another reason to avoid it at all costs.
6. Don’t Ride Tired
Just like alcohol, tiredness can severely slow down your reaction speed.
If you feel tired then do not get on the motorcycle, period. However, if you’re already riding, pull off the road, get some fresh air and coffee. It’s also advised to sleep for a couple of hours before continuing your journey.
7. Check Your Motorcycle before Riding
Get into a habit of thoroughly checking your motorcycle for any damage or issues before riding.
Check that your tires are inflated enough and they don’t have any wear and tear. Ensure all of your lights are working correctly and there are no oil or gas leaks.
Make sure to also check your coolant and hydraulic fluid levels at least once a week.
Finally, if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, we advise you to seek an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer for assistance.
Most Important Motorcycle Safety Tips
We hope you have found this article on motorcycle safety tips useful and informative. Please ensure you stay safe while riding on the roads.
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