Road Safety for Motorcycles
Harry Hurt, a professor at the University of Southern California, presented the only thorough investigation on motorcycle safety ever carried out in the country back in 1981. According to what became known as the "Hurt Report," collisions with other vehicles, often cars or trucks, account for around 75% of all motorcycle accidents. Two-thirds of the collisions were the result of drivers failing to yield to motorcycle riders. The survey also discovered that crossroads are the most likely locations for motorcycle accidents to happen and that left-hand turns made by cars or trucks in front of approaching motorcycles are the most frequent cause of accidents.
Despite the Hurt Report's statistics being four decades old, there is no reason to think that motorcycle riders' riding circumstances have gotten any better. Because of cell phones and dashboard entertainment screens, there are more possibilities for drivers to be distracted than there were in the late 1970s, when traffic was often considerably worse. There is no doubt that motorists should be more alert to and cautious of motorbikes, but riders have no influence over what other motorists on the road choose to do. What bikers can do is practice and acquire riding tactics that will help them avoid or respond appropriately to hazardous situations on the road.
Pay attention to the ride
The first step is getting yourself physically and emotionally ready for the journey. Safe driving involves focus and alertness, but you can't give your whole attention to the road if you're also thinking about your job, your bills, or other daily concerns. In fact, this necessity is one of the motorcycling's most alluring features for many riders since it makes them focus on the journey and declutter their minds.
Of course, you should dress appropriately for riding. The best protection in the case of a collision is a comfortable, high-quality full face helmet, which may also shield your face and eyes from wind, dirt, insects, and other debris that could provide unwelcome distractions. You'll also want gloves, boots, and riding attire that is protective in addition to the helmet.
Examine the weather
When riding, always check the weather. You may want to delay your ride if there are rain or cold weather in the forecast, but if you must go, be sure to take a reliable rain suit or warm gear. When you are far from home and drenched to the skin, it is tough to focus on riding securely. It goes without saying that you should always examine the bike before riding, including checking the fluid levels, tire pressure, and general functionality.
Keep an eye on your surroundings
When you're driving, you should always be looking ahead and checking your mirrors for oncoming traffic. To see debris, potholes, and other road imperfections and have plenty of time to avoid them, keep a considerable space between your car and the one in front of you.
Keep an eye out for cars coming from driveways or side streets, bicycles and pedestrians who could dart onto the road, as well as incoming traffic that might make a left turn in front of you. It's a good idea to "cover" your brakes as you get closer to these potential risks. Put your foot directly over the back brake pedal and two fingers over the front brake lever so you may swiftly apply the brakes if necessary.
Always check your mirrors before making a rapid, emergency stop. The safer option may be to veer away from the danger in front of you if a car is following too closely in order to prevent getting struck from behind. This is why you should always be looking for potential escape routes in addition to potential risks.
Ride on the road's safest lane.
A conventional traffic lane may be divided into three sections for motorcycles: left, right, and center. The area where you can see and be seen the best and where you have the highest possibility of avoiding risks should choose which segment you ride in. For instance, riding in the left third of the lane when passing a row of parked automobiles will prevent doors from opening and vehicles from joining the road. To prevent incoming vehicles from crossing the center line and clipping the turn on a right-hand bend, ride in the right third of the lane. When there are vehicles on both sides of you on a multi-lane highway, it is advisable to ride in the middle of the center lane for visibility and maneuverability. Because to the accumulation of car oil and debris, proceed with caution. It is best to avoid this oil accumulation because it tends to be most severe around junctions.
When you have the green light to enter an intersection, slow down, use the brakes, and check to see that all traffic is stopped on the other side of the street. Check your rearview mirrors, watch for approaching vehicles planning a left turn, and seek for escape routes in case the driver doesn't spot you and starts to turn, forcing you to brake or swerve.
In the event that the bike is in first gear and the traffic light is red, downshift as you come to a complete stop, keeping the clutch lever pulled in so that oncoming traffic can see your brake light. Wet clutches are standard equipment on almost all bikes, and doing so won't hurt them. Always stop in the left or right third of the lane and give plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you in case you need to suddenly accelerate and swerve to the sides due to a vehicle fast coming from the rear after checking your mirrors. I'll flash my brake lights if I'm the last vehicle in a line of stopped vehicles, especially if I'm traveling at night, to try to attract the attention of oncoming motorists.
After a light change, pause for a few seconds.
Wait a few seconds to ensure that all cars are totally stopped on both sides of the cross street before proceeding into a junction when a traffic light turns from red to green or when there are four-way stop signs. Sometimes, motorists who are trying to beat the light wind up running a red light, and other times, motorists who are simply careless run the light or fail to notice the stop sign. In any case, if you jackrabbit into the junction, you could run into them.
Keep picking up new safety skills
These riding advice are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is known about safe riding techniques. There are several tools at your disposal to raise both your physical and mental riding skills.
Despite the Hurt Report's statistics being four decades old, there is no reason to think that motorcycle riders' riding circumstances have gotten any better. Because of cell phones and dashboard entertainment screens, there are more possibilities for drivers to be distracted than there were in the late 1970s, when traffic was often considerably worse. There is no doubt that motorists should be more alert to and cautious of motorbikes, but riders have no influence over what other motorists on the road choose to do. What bikers can do is practice and acquire riding tactics that will help them avoid or respond appropriately to hazardous situations on the road.
Pay attention to the ride
The first step is getting yourself physically and emotionally ready for the journey. Safe driving involves focus and alertness, but you can't give your whole attention to the road if you're also thinking about your job, your bills, or other daily concerns. In fact, this necessity is one of the motorcycling's most alluring features for many riders since it makes them focus on the journey and declutter their minds.
Of course, you should dress appropriately for riding. The best protection in the case of a collision is a comfortable, high-quality full face helmet, which may also shield your face and eyes from wind, dirt, insects, and other debris that could provide unwelcome distractions. You'll also want gloves, boots, and riding attire that is protective in addition to the helmet.
Examine the weather
When riding, always check the weather. You may want to delay your ride if there are rain or cold weather in the forecast, but if you must go, be sure to take a reliable rain suit or warm gear. When you are far from home and drenched to the skin, it is tough to focus on riding securely. It goes without saying that you should always examine the bike before riding, including checking the fluid levels, tire pressure, and general functionality.
Keep an eye on your surroundings
When you're driving, you should always be looking ahead and checking your mirrors for oncoming traffic. To see debris, potholes, and other road imperfections and have plenty of time to avoid them, keep a considerable space between your car and the one in front of you.
Keep an eye out for cars coming from driveways or side streets, bicycles and pedestrians who could dart onto the road, as well as incoming traffic that might make a left turn in front of you. It's a good idea to "cover" your brakes as you get closer to these potential risks. Put your foot directly over the back brake pedal and two fingers over the front brake lever so you may swiftly apply the brakes if necessary.
Always check your mirrors before making a rapid, emergency stop. The safer option may be to veer away from the danger in front of you if a car is following too closely in order to prevent getting struck from behind. This is why you should always be looking for potential escape routes in addition to potential risks.
Ride on the road's safest lane.
A conventional traffic lane may be divided into three sections for motorcycles: left, right, and center. The area where you can see and be seen the best and where you have the highest possibility of avoiding risks should choose which segment you ride in. For instance, riding in the left third of the lane when passing a row of parked automobiles will prevent doors from opening and vehicles from joining the road. To prevent incoming vehicles from crossing the center line and clipping the turn on a right-hand bend, ride in the right third of the lane. When there are vehicles on both sides of you on a multi-lane highway, it is advisable to ride in the middle of the center lane for visibility and maneuverability. Because to the accumulation of car oil and debris, proceed with caution. It is best to avoid this oil accumulation because it tends to be most severe around junctions.
When you have the green light to enter an intersection, slow down, use the brakes, and check to see that all traffic is stopped on the other side of the street. Check your rearview mirrors, watch for approaching vehicles planning a left turn, and seek for escape routes in case the driver doesn't spot you and starts to turn, forcing you to brake or swerve.
In the event that the bike is in first gear and the traffic light is red, downshift as you come to a complete stop, keeping the clutch lever pulled in so that oncoming traffic can see your brake light. Wet clutches are standard equipment on almost all bikes, and doing so won't hurt them. Always stop in the left or right third of the lane and give plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you in case you need to suddenly accelerate and swerve to the sides due to a vehicle fast coming from the rear after checking your mirrors. I'll flash my brake lights if I'm the last vehicle in a line of stopped vehicles, especially if I'm traveling at night, to try to attract the attention of oncoming motorists.
After a light change, pause for a few seconds.
Wait a few seconds to ensure that all cars are totally stopped on both sides of the cross street before proceeding into a junction when a traffic light turns from red to green or when there are four-way stop signs. Sometimes, motorists who are trying to beat the light wind up running a red light, and other times, motorists who are simply careless run the light or fail to notice the stop sign. In any case, if you jackrabbit into the junction, you could run into them.
Keep picking up new safety skills
These riding advice are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is known about safe riding techniques. There are several tools at your disposal to raise both your physical and mental riding skills.