Summertime often inspires a desire for outdoor activities, including motorcycle riding. As fun as motorcycling might sound, safety is vital, as you do not want to end up in a hospital or worse. To stay safe while cycling, it is essential to know and follow specific safety guidelines every time you ride.
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Six Safety Guidelines Motorbike Riders Should Consider
“You would love to spend your holidays with friends and family, so it is safe to note that obeying safety motorbike rules will protect you from medical costs, expensive repairs, and worry,” says Dana Brooks of Fasig | Brooks Law Offices. Additionally, research indicates that motorbike accidents are more fatal than car accidents. Victims are 28 times more likely to die.
Below are the six guidelines for promoting motorcycle safety.
Inspect Your Motorbike As Often As Possible
When was the last time you gave your bike a check-up to ensure it’s in working condition? Do you just hop on it and take it for a ride without proper checkups? You should inspect your bike before every ride. Check for any abnormalities in the wheels, tires, frame, chassis, foot and hand controls, and ensure they work properly before hitting the road.
Always Use a Helmet When Riding a Motorbike
It is a must to use a helmet if you are a motorcyclist, as head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Ensure you have the right helmet because the wrong one is as good as no helmet at all. Yes, there are bad ones, and they are often cheap. Buy a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation-approved biker helmet because it has been tested for absolute protection.
Ride In Familiar Zones
It is crucial not to venture into streets and towns you do not know or have been to, except when accompanied by someone or a group that has been there. Ensure you ride at your own pace and avoid being pressured by peers to compete. Additionally, you should be comfortable riding your motorbike. That is, it should not feel too heavy to ride, and your hands and legs should be able to reach the controls without stress.
Look Twice
Watch out for other bikers and cars to avoid collisions. Most car drivers do not often see bikers. To them, they are too small to see, so watch out for yourself. Do not get entangled in the fun.
Pay attention to the road and keep your ears open to vehicle sounds, especially their loud exhaust system. Look and look again when you want to change lanes. Also, always check blind spots.
Pay Attention to the Weather Before Setting Out
Pennsylvania’s weather is often humid. However, that does not mean they do not experience extreme weather conditions, such as a windy day. Check the weather forecast for the day before hitting the road. If not, you might be far from the shelter, and there might be an approaching rainstorm, making it much worse to ride in bad weather.
If you know it will be too windy, hot, or rainy at a particular time of the day, and you still have to ride, plan for it. Ensure you have a plan so you can take shelter when the weather changes. You can also carry extra clothes, water, or gear.
Tell Others Where You Plan On Going.
Do not assume your folks will know where you will be. Always inform a friend or family member of your destination, just in case something goes wrong. Also, if you change routes, inform them.
Conclusion
Riding motorbikes is a skill. Just like other skills, you will have to develop it over time. You might be accustomed to cruising in town but not on a highway. To be on the safe side, it is best to ride according to your skill level.
