It comes with no surprise that motorcycle riders face more danger than other drivers when they’re on the road. There are no seatbelts or airbags to help protect you in an accident, so there is even more reason to be extra cautious and avoid the potential for an accident. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when you take your motorcycle out for a ride.
Wear Reflective Gear
As you can imagine, it's already hard for a motorist to see a motorcycle rider on the road with them since the motorcycle is a smaller vehicle and could be hidden by other traffic. Now picture a dark colored motorcycle, at night, and the rider is wearing dark riding gear. That makes it harder for other motorists to spot that motorcycle and rider. Wearing reflective gear or bright colored clothing can help you stand out more in traffic. You want others to know that you are there!
Ride in a Group
Riding in a group of two or more can be very beneficial. The chances of vehicles seeing at least one of you becomes greater when you ride in a group. One motorcycle could be in a vehicle’s blind spot, but when there are two or more motorcycles, one of the riders is more likely to be seen before a vehicle changes lanes. A group is also helpful because you can help each other if something were to happen, such as losing balance on the bike and needing help lifting it back up.
Defensive Driving
It's important for everyone to drive defensively and try to anticipate other drivers’ actions, but it's especially important for a motorcyclist to watch the actions of the vehicles around them. Take a turn signal, for example. If a motorcyclist sees a car beside them with a turn signal on, it's possible the motorcycle may be in their blind spot. The motorcyclist needs to be able to act quickly to avoid a possible accident. Always be thinking of where you can go if a vehicle were to begin moving into your lane. And while it is possible a vehicle could switch lanes and cause a wreck with another vehicle, it's even more likely for a vehicle to switch lanes and hit a motorcycle. As mentioned before, it's easier for a motorcycle to be in a vehicle’s blind spot, so the vehicle is less likely to see the motorcyclist.
The Danger of Gravel
A tiny patch of gravel on a road may not seem like any danger when you’re driving a vehicle with four wheels, but gravel on the road can be treacherous when driving a motorcycle. Gravel can throw off the driver’s balance and result in an accident, so always be on the lookout for it or any other slippery substances on the road.
Riding in the Rain
Riding a motorcycle in the rain sounds as uncomfortable as it is, not to mention it can be dangerous. Wet roads are dangerous when driving any vehicle, but especially a motorcycle. Not only are the roads slick, but the rain can make it hard to see. Most motorcycles don't have windshield wipers, and your rain-splattered face shield will make it difficult to see. To top it off, the rain hitting you at a high speed doesn't feel too great either. If you find yourself out on motorcycle drive and it starts raining, try to pull over to a safe place and wait it out.
With these tips in mind, we want you to be safe when you head out on your motorcycle. You can count on HomeFirst® Agency to provide you with great safety tips and help you find motorcycle insurance coverage to help protect you in case of an accident.