Practical Tips Every Motorcycle Owner Should Practice To Promote Road Safety

Riding a motorcycle is an exciting, but inherently dangerous activity. Getting into a road accident while riding a motorbike is very likely to result in serious injuries, often life-threatening. Having no seat belt, airbags, or solid car frame around them are all factors that lead to being a very vulnerable rider while on a bike.

Adopting some healthy road safety habits, buying appropriate gear, getting insurance, and, above all, following traffic rules, are all steps we can take to ensure that we or anyone else doesn’t get harmed on the road. Considering the rise of fatal motorcycle accidents in Tennessee in recent years, it’s best to take into consideration some of these tips so you don’t end up as part of that statistic.

What if the Worst Happens?

Even if you follow all road safety regulations there is still a chance you could end up in an accident, as others’ reckless driving is a factor you cannot control. Ending up injured and with a damaged bike is bad enough, but not being compensated fairly for it is even worse.

As the lawyers at NoogaLaw.com explain, insurance companies will always appear very thoughtful at first, but when it comes to covering your expenses they will be less than friendly. Contacting an attorney is the first thing you should do if you don’t need medical attention first.

Taking pictures, or having someone else take them for you, is good practice in such situations as they can be used to a great extent to prove your innocence. Weather conditions, vehicle placement, sustained injuries, and damage to your motorcycle are all key points that can be used to your advantage.

Inspect the Motorcycle Beforehand

Making sure your motorcycle is well and functional is not only needed so you could brag about it but also ensure a smooth and safe ride. You should do a routine check-up before you put on your helmet and go, as it takes very little time to do it but it can make a huge difference down the road.

Tires

When inspecting tires make sure you look over several key features. Air pressure should be checked before every ride, as overinflated tires have less contact area and react harshly to bumps on the road while under-inflated ones will be the cause of harder steering and control at higher speed.

If you have the necessary compressor and pressure gauge in your garage this can be done very quickly, but every gas station will have them too.

Make sure you routinely check the tire tread depth so that you don’t use tires that are too worn out. Looking at the surface to see if there are any uneven bulges, cracks or embedded objects is also a part of the check-up. And now you are at it – please don’t forget to look after your motorcycle chain.

Headlight

Having functional headlights is a no-brainer, as they are a prerequisite for riding in any type of bad weather or during the night. When starting the engine make sure that your blinkers, front, and brake lights are all fully functional.

Fluids

Brake fluid, motor oil, and gas are the essential fluids in your vehicle. Although brake fluid and motor oil do not need to be checked before every ride it is still advisable to take a look at their level at least once a week if you use your bike regularly. Gas levels are easily seen on the display panel but it will be very obvious if you run out of it! 

Be Well Rested

Doing anything while fatigued can make a mundane job extremely difficult or even dangerous. The same goes for operating a vehicle and it should never be practiced. This research suggests that fatigued motorcycle riders could experience similar effects to heavy truck and car riders that cause accidents under such circumstances.

Ride at a Distance

As motorcycles have half the grip on the pavement compared to cars (because they have two wheels instead of four) maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles is even more important when riding a motorcycle than a car.

While in traffic, make sure to keep at least 3 seconds apart from the driver in front of you, and even more if it is a busy highway.

Remember that sudden braking on a motorcycle makes it very unstable at the slightest off-movement and you need to have good control and balance not to fall over.

Road safety is everyone’s concern when on the road and taking precautions is never wrong. Keeping in mind what the regulations are and being just a bit more careful when dealing with your vehicle can ensure you and other commuters have a safe and pleasant ride.  

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