Top 5 Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

Riding a motorcycle offers freedom and excitement that driving a four-wheeled vehicle, like a car or truck, simply can’t match. But that thrill comes with serious risks that have to be accounted for and understood.

According to Bednarz & Bednarz, “Federal highway safety officials estimate a motorcyclist is 27 times more likely to die than a car driver in an accident. Despite this, motorcycle accident victims and their families often have a tougher time recovering damages from negligent drivers. There is an unfortunate public image of motorcyclists as irresponsible individuals with no regard for safety.”

This reality means you need to take safety seriously every time you ride. While you can’t control other drivers’ actions, you can significantly reduce your accident risk through better decision making (both during your ride and beforehand). Knowing this, here are five helpful safety tips that could save your life.

1. Wear Proper Protective Gear Every Time

Your gear is the only thing between you and the pavement in a crash. Make sure you’re choosing the right gear and wearing it properly. Here are some items to consider:

• A helmet reduces your risk of death by 37 percent and head injury by 69 percent. You need a DOT-approved full-face helmet that fits properly.
• Invest in a quality motorcycle jacket with armor at the shoulders, elbows, and back.
• Abrasion-resistant materials like leather or reinforced textile can mean the difference between road rash and serious injury. Be selective when choosing yours.
• Gloves protect your hands during a fall, which you’ll instinctively use to break your fall. Don’t skimp here – go for quality.
• Boots should cover your ankles and have non-slip soles.

Don’t make exceptions based on weather or trip length. Most accidents happen within a few miles of home, and that quick ride to the store without gear could be the one where you go down. Make full gear a non-negotiable part of every ride, regardless of distance or temperature.

2. Assume You’re Invisible to Other Drivers

The most dangerous assumption you can make is that drivers see you. They often don’t, whether due to distraction, blind spots, or simply not looking for motorcycles. You need to ride as if every vehicle might pull out, change lanes, or turn left in front of you without warning.

The best thing you can do is position yourself in the lane where you’re most visible and have the most escape options. In traffic, this is typically the left third of the lane, where you appear in drivers’ mirrors and have space to maneuver.

It’s a good practice to use your lights strategically in order to make yourself as visible as possible. Running your high beam during the day increases visibility, and some riders install auxiliary lights or modulate their headlight to attract attention. At intersections, cover your brakes and be ready to take evasive action. The best thing you can do is watch the wheels of cars waiting to turn, since they’ll move before the vehicle does.

As a general rule of thumb, never trust turn signals or assume a driver will yield. Make eye contact when possible, but even then, don’t assume they’ll act predictably. The safest approach is to always expect drivers to do the wrong thing and position yourself to avoid the consequences.

3. Master Defensive Riding Techniques

Defensive riding means anticipating hazards and maintaining control margins that allow you to react to the unexpected. Here are some suggestions:

• Follow at a greater distance than you would in a car – at least three seconds in good conditions, more in rain or traffic. This space gives you time to identify hazards and react appropriately.
• Learn proper braking technique. Most riders under-brake in emergencies, using only the rear brake or grabbing the front brake so hard they lock the wheel. Practice progressive braking that applies both brakes smoothly but firmly, with about 70 percent of stopping power from the front brake.
• Watch the road surface constantly. Gravel, oil, wet leaves, painted lines, and manhole covers can all cause traction loss. Adjust your speed and position to avoid these hazards or cross them with the bike upright rather than leaned in a turn. In the rain, roads are most slippery during the first few minutes as oil rises to the surface.
• Scan far ahead, not just immediately in front of you. Look through turns to where you want to go, and constantly check your mirrors to know what’s happening behind you.

There are obviously additional techniques you can use, but keeping these four in mind will instantly make you a more defensive driver and, as a result, less susceptible to serious accidents.

Adding it All Up

Riding a motorcycle will always involve risk, but following these five safety practices significantly reduces your chances of a serious accident. While there are never any guarantees – you can’t control what other drivers do – following these suggestions will improve your odds of arriving home safely after every ride.