If you’re into riding motorcycles then you’ve probably heard a horror story or two about accidents while you’re out on the road. These accidents can be life-altering due to the intense speed and almost no protection for you (the rider).

Fortunately, there are several tactics that you can take in order to ensure you’ll never get in a crash while you’re out riding your bike.

By simply knowing the best safety tips, you can make sure to prioritize them before, during, and after you ride. Here are several motorcycle safety tips to provide extra protection and precaution while you’re cruising on the open road!

1. Always Be Seen

As with any other car accident, a motorcycle accident often occurs because the other driver didn’t see you coming.

While you might enjoy the all-black attire while riding, it isn’t conducive to helping you remain seen in the eyes of other drivers, especially at night. Instead, wear bright materials, or at least have bright accent colors on what you wear.

This doesn’t mean you have to hang up the black leather vest. Just make sure to invest in a reflective armband or helmet in order to make you stand out on the road.

Lastly, try to remain straight behind cars as you ride. Doing so will ensure you’re in their line of sight and not hiding in one of their blind spots.

2. Wear Your Gear All the Time

Unfortunately, there are times where an accident can’t be avoided. There’s nothing you can do to prevent it because the other driver is being irresponsible.

Because you can’t always trust the awareness of other drivers, you should always have your gear on. Even a 5-minute joyride can turn into a fatal motorcycle accident if you aren’t wearing your bike gear.

Wear a helmet, your riding suit, boots, motorcycle jacket, and gloves. Get yourself in the habit of using a mental checklist to make sure you have all your equipment while you ride.

On a side note: if you’re ever in an accident, be sure to reach out to a trusted motorcycle accident attorney to receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

3. Stay on Your Toes

As a bike rider, you have more risk if you were to get in a crash. Therefore, you need to take control of the situation by staying alert.

Stay focused, alert and watch any signs of swerving, sudden stopping, or slowing down.

Next, be sure to keep an eye on the road, avoid potholes or cracks and ride carefully on wet roads, gravel roads, or roads that have sand on or around them.

4. Watch the Weather

Going outside in bad weather is a recipe disaster. Unfortunately, especially if living in Florida, you can’t always predict the weather. One second it could be clear blue skies, while the next it’s pouring down rain.

Try to use your local weather channel or phone app to keep up with the weather.

Typically, if the chance of rain is 40-percent or higher, you won’t want to risk getting caught in it. If you find yourself getting caught in some unforeseen rain while driving, find a place to pull off to the side of the road and find shelter.

Many experienced bikers would recommend using a highway overpass as protection from the rain. If you’re going to stay under an overpass to wait the storm out, be sure to pull off as far to the side as you possibly can.

5. Never Drink and Ride

This one is a bit obvious, but bears repeating: don’t ever drink and ride your bike. If you do, you not only become a danger to yourself but to everyone else on the road with you.

6. Don’t Speed

The temptation will always be there for you to pass the two slow cars in front of you by speeding up and driving right in-between them. Try to resist that urge.

In fact, while you’re on the road, always remain cognizant of what the speed limit is, and stick to it.

Use These Motorcycle Safety Tips From This Day Forward

Now that you’ve seen several motorcycle safety tips, be sure to use them in order to keep yourself safe.

Be sure to read this article on the side effects of a crash and why you want to do your utmost to prevent one.

For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out to Motorcycle Accident Expert John Fagan at 904-LAW-1212.  We will be happy to assist you further!