Motorcycle Show this Saturday: Riders must emphasize safety on the open road

June 12, 2014 · 0 Comments

Motorcycle enthusiasts in locales with cold winters may anticipate the warmer weather of spring and summer more than others, as it means they can pull their bikes out of their garages and get back on the open road. While riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, the OPP notes that fatal crashes are much more likely to occur to motorcycle riders than automobile drivers. As the number of drivers and riders on the road continues to increase, it has never been more important for riders to practice motorcycle safety.

Be seen and heard

Ever wonder why some motorcycles make so much noise? It’s to attract the attention of other motorists. Thanks to their small profiles, motorcycles can easily go unnoticed by motorists. Failure of other motorists to see motorcycles on the road is a chief contributor to collisions involving motorcycles.

One of the more comprehensive studies on motorcycle accidents occurred in 1981. Titled “Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures” and published by researcher Harry Hurt with the help of the University of Southern California and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the study analyzed 3,600 motorcycle traffic accidents in a specific region of California. The findings showed most motorcycle accidents involve a short trip associated with shopping, errands, friends, entertainment, or recreation, and the accident is most likely to occur within close proximity to the rider’s home. Accident involvement is significantly reduced by the use of motorcycle headlamps, including during daylight hours, and the wearing of highly visible clothing, including yellow, orange or bright red jackets. Although this research was conducted some time ago, it still underscores the importance of remaining visible on the road. While leather and denim may be the traditional uniform of motorcycle riding, synthetic materials that have reflective fabrics can improve visibility. Highly visible colors, such as orange and yellow, are good choices when on the road. Riders also can add reflectivity to existing gear with reflective tape.

Many motorcycle riders, particularly those on Harley Davidson’s, swap out stock exhaust pipes for ones that emit a louder decibel range. This helps other motorists notice them.

Use the right gear

When a rider is on the open road, he or she doesn’t have the protection of a car frame to offer a buffer between the rider and the pavement should an accident occur. That is why it is crucial to invest in quality gear that can offer a certain measure of protection. A high-quality helmet that fits well is an important piece of safety equipment, as head and neck injuries can result in paralysis or fatalities. Pair the helmet with goggles or glasses with safety lenses. Durable nonslip gloves will help riders maintain a good grip on the handlebars, and boots can cover the ankles. Although it can be tempting to forgo long pants or jackets when the weather warms, doing so can lead to painful abrasions and road burn should a fall occur. Invest in a leather jacket and pants or a high-quality, durable and bright-colored material.

Additional safety precautions

According to Allstate Insurance, 46 per cent of motorcycle crashes occur at intersections. Knowing this information can help riders make more informed choices on the road. Some other important safety precautions include: • Exercise extreme caution at intersections and only go through when safe. • Test the lights, brakes and turn signals before you make any trip. • Make sure the fuel and oil levels are at the correct levels. • Know your bike’s limits. • Follow the speed limit and the rules of the road, and do not weave in and out of traffic. • Don’t ride in blind spots, staying in spots where you are most visible to fellow motorists. • Always use turn signals. • Do not tailgate, as stopping distances for motorcycles, especially on slippery roads, can make stopping difficult. • Never drink and ride. Emphasizing motorcycle safety can make for an injury-free riding season.

By Wendy Gabrek