Motorcycle riding is a fun and freeing experience. People take it up for recreation and transportation. Besides being fuel-efficient, motorcycles emit lower levels of pollutants than other vehicles. And many motorcyclists enjoy the community of other riders.
If you are new to riding or are considering buying a motorcycle, you may be wondering how safe it is. The answer to that question is complex since there are many different factors to consider. These include experience and the types of conditions in which you ride.
The reality is that when you ride a motorcycle, you are susceptible to dangers that do not exist when in enclosed vehicles. Fortunately, many of these hazards can be avoided if you take certain precautions.
Whatever activities you engage in, it’s always a good idea to understand the risk. The information below will give you a breakdown of the potential dangers of motorcycles, as well as some advice on how to optimize safety while riding.
Motorcycle Riding Risks
The bad news is that motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic-related fatalities. While they make up only three percent of all registered motorists on the road, they account for 14 percent of all road fatalities.
The most serious and obvious threat related to riding motorcycles is that you are unprotected due to a lack of structural protections. To ride safely, you must mitigate risks associated with this exposure.
Limiting Motorcycle Risks
The catch-22 is that experience is the best defense against accidents, and to gain experience, you have to ride. One way to gain experience is to ease into riding. Especially if you are riding for fun, plan routes that are easy to ride and have limited traffic.
Ride responsibly, but also defensively. Be wary of hazardous road conditions and riding in severe weather. Also, be aware of potential distractions that could lead to an accident. For a more comprehensive look at the causes of motorcycle accidents, check out this article.
When you ride a motorcycle, avoid alcohol and drugs. This includes prescription medications that impact your judgment, balance, or coordination.
Consider adding extra reflective materials to yourself and your bike. Always wear a helmet, even if your particular state does not require it.
All states mandate special licensing for operating a motorcycle, but not all of them require you to take a rider education course. These can be very helpful if you are starting out and want to learn to ride a motorcycle. Even if your state doesn’t mandate one, you might consider signing up anyway.
Routine bike maintenance is another way to avoid danger. Ensuring that your motorcycle is running and handling as it should can go a long way to eliminating unexpected malfunctions on the road.
Safely Ride a Motorcycle
Now that you have an idea of how safe it is to ride a motorcycle, as well as some of the precautions to take, you can limit dangerous situations.
We hope this information was useful to you. Be sure to check out some of our other lifestyle posts, as well as those on fashion, technology, news, and many other topics.
