As the weather warms up, it feels like the perfect time to roll out your motorcycle and go for a cruise. Before you jump on your motorbike and ride away, however, keep something in mind. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and if you’re not already in the habit of doing so, this time of year presents a great opportunity to think about steps you can take to keep yourself safe on your bike or be more cautious of riders on the road around you. Proper driving practices are critical for maintaining safety. Read on for tips about how to keep yourself and others protected on the road.
Practice Safe Use
Whether you’re a daily driver or ride your motorcycle intermittently, it’s critical to practice safe driving. Consider attending a refresher course. This will keep you updated about best riding practices and will give you a renewed sense of attentiveness to your own driving. You might be inspired to make some changes to your riding behavior that result in increased motorcycle safety.
Wear the Gear
Helmets and protective clothing dramatically increase your chances of walking away from a crash with minimal injuries. You can’t control everything on the road—obstructions, other drivers, equipment failure—be ready for whatever happens.
Purchase Proper Insurance
Even with the best practices in place, you can’t always control other drivers’ behavior on the road. Purchasing motorcycle insurance is one of the best ways to insulate yourself against risks that are beyond your control. Buying insurance can also encourage safe driving; many policies include vanishing deductibles for every year a driver goes without a crash.
Be Aware of your Surroundings
If you don’t drive a motorcycle, take notice of those who do while you’re sharing the road with them. People in cars often fail to notice motorcycles or may feel like they don’t have to pay extra attention to those who do. A motorcycle is quite different from a car, both in appearance and how it is driven; pretend someone you love dearly is driving any motorcycle you see, and you’ll end up giving that biker the space and courtesy he or she needs to drive safely.
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a great time for the biker community to assess skills and safety precautions. What can you do to make your ride safer? Share your best tips.
