What can I do to stay safe on a motorcycle?

On Behalf of | May 8, 2020 | Motorcycle Accident Injuries |

With the weather warming up, the temptation to take to the roads on a motorcycle increases. However, riding a motorcycle is rife with risks.

In order to avoid becoming an accident statistic, motorcyclists need to take precautions before getting on the back of a bike. According to State Farm Insurance, one of the most important things you can do to stay safe is to gear up properly.

What should I wear on a bike?

At bare minimum, you should be wearing a helmet. The choice of helmet is yours, but make sure that it is DOT-approved. Full face helmets with visors in the front provide the most protection in the event of a crash.

In addition to the helmet, it is a good idea to wear bright colors. While the traditional motorcyclist wears black, motorcycles can be difficult to see on the road due to their slim profile. Wearing bright colors like green or orange will help make you more visible to drivers in cars and thus lessen your chance of an accident. Wearing clothing with reflective tape or material is also helpful, particularly if you ride at night.

What else can I do? 

There are many reasons to take a motorcycle safety class, and insurance discounts may be one of them. Additionally, riders who take motorcycle safety classes are less likely to get into accidents as compared to those who do not.

Even if you are an experienced motorcycle driver, taking a safety course may improve your skill on the bike. Not all motorcycle courses are for beginners: there are many geared toward experienced riders.