If you’re interested in riding motorcycles or thinking about getting a motorcycle, you’ll probably ask yourself if they’re safe or if you can make them safer. There are many different opinions on this topic, but the general consensus is that motorcycles aren’t particularly safe to drive compared to using a car for transportation. We take a look at the things you can do to make riding a motorcycle safer.
Training and education
Educating yourself and getting advanced training is one way to make motorcycle riding safer. Advanced motorcycle training can help riders to develop their motorcycle skills and recognise risks on the road. Being able to understand hazardous situations and how to react appropriately can reduce the likelihood of an accident. Sign up for an advanced training course to improve your skills as a rider and reduce the chances of an accident.
Ride defensively
As a motorbike rider, you should assume other motorists or pedestrians have not seen you. Taking this view when riding around can help you avoid accidents. Always check your blindspot before changing positions and pull out of junctions and roads carefully. Keep an eye on other drivers and what they’re doing whilst also ensuring you’re paying attention to the road and your driving. This skill will help you stay safe and avoid accidents when other drivers don’t notice you on the road.
Stick to a less powerful bike
You can buy bikes with different levels of capacity and engine power. More powerful motorbikes have a bigger capacity which makes them faster and potentially more dangerous. If you’re a new driver that’s young, you might have to stick to a motorbike with less capacity. Once you’re old enough to ride a more powerful bike, you might be tempted to get the fastest and highest capacity bike possible. However, this isn’t the best approach if you’re concerned about safety. Don’t rush to buy a higher-capacity bike as soon as you can. Instead, take some time to get the skills you need to ride the lower-capacity bike safely before moving to a higher-capacity bike.
Wear protective equipment
Protective equipment is important when you’re riding a motorcycle. If you do get into an accident, the protective equipment can help prevent serious injuries, including broken bones. A motorcycle helmet is vital for protecting your head; you should also wear a motorcycle jacket, motorcycle boots and motorcycle pants. The best motorcycle pants will fit well and include protective pads around key areas such as your knees. This also goes for motorcycle jackets. Choose a jacket that fits your body, so you have enough room to move and ride your bike whilst also being protected if you fall. Opt for a jacket with premium impact protection on your chest area. This will protect your organs if you do end up falling off your bike or in a collision with another car or motorcycle. Unfortunately, not all crashes are preventable by improving your driving. If you’re driving on a straight road and a car pulls out of a junction and crashes into you, often there is nothing you could have done to change the outcome. Protective gear will help keep you much safer than regular clothing in this situation.
Consider visibility
As discussed previously in this article, a common issue that results in motorcycle accidents is car drivers not taking the time to look for motorbikes. One way to make yourself more visible on the road is to choose to wear high-visibility clothing. Some motorcycle jackets and motorcycle pants include high visibility strips that reflect the light and catch the eye of other drivers. For ultimate visibility, you can select a brightly coloured jacket and bike, so people are more likely to notice you on the road.
Riding a motorcycle is a dangerous activity; many riders choose to accept this as part of the thrill and experience of their bike. If you’re risk averse, you might want to stick to driving a car. Or, to minimize your risk as a motorcycle rider, follow the advice in this article. Always get as much training and experience as you can afford before going out onto the road. Buy good quality protective equipment and stick to a lower-capacity motorbike.