“Motorcycle Safety Tips”
Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben WebsiteMarch 2007
Article Author: James R. Schwebel
An average of 166,000 Americans are hospitalized as a result of a motorcycle accident and worse yet, nearly 5,000 will die in any given year. Numerous others will be crippled for life. There are three primary reasons have been identified:
1. Motorcycles are harder to see than a car.
2. Motorcycles are open air vehicles, and offer no protection for the rider.
3. Since it’s on two wheels, handling can be difficult with skidding often ending in a crash.
Follow these simple safety tips and you can safely enjoy the sense of freedom and control that comes from riding a motorcycle:
- Always wear a helmet as well as eye and face protection.
- Never ride a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Ride with extreme care. Steering, accelerating and braking require skill and a high degree of coordination.
- Get licensed (all states require a motorcycle license).
- If you are a new rider, take a motorcycle safe riding class. Take one even if you think you are an experienced rider. You’ll be surprised what you didn’t know.
- Drive Defensively. Do not expect that car drivers will give you the right-of-way.
- Avoid the center of the lane where debris and oil droppings from cars accumulate. Also watch for other hazards including pot holes, cracks, sand, etc.
- Wear a proper outfit – leather gloves, jacket and boots will protect you from “road rash.”
- Always ride with your headlight on if permitted by traffic laws even during the daytime. It will make you more visible to other drivers.
- Apply reflective tape to your helmet.
- Maintain your bike regularly. Make sure the brakes are in order. Do routine chain and engine checks before riding.
- Follow all rules of the road and don’t speed. Nearly 40 percent of riders killed were speeding.
- Watch out for other vehicles coming from driveways and side streets.
- Don’t let anyone ride with you as a passenger until you are a skilled rider.