Motorcycles are indeed a thrilling ride for many. In the present world when automobiles are commonly present in every single house, motorcycles are nothing but a thrill and hobby for many. What started off as a vehicle suitable for men only is now quite popular among the females as well. It isn’t surprising to see a lady riding a bike in her best boots and leathers.

Is there any harm to bike riding?

As common as motorcycles have become, it is quite evident that a common motorcycle accident injury has also increased in terms of numbers. According to stats collected, almost 5200 motorcycles are met with an accident every year. This means that the rate of motorcycle deaths vs all road fatalities is 14%.

Reasons why bike riders meet accidents

Certain on-road reasons are responsible for motorcycle accidents and they lead to injuries and might be fatal too. Let’s discuss some of the reasons why bike riders meet accidents.

Drunk Riding

Almost 33% of bike accidents that lead to death or fatality occur right after riders have been hitting the roads under the influence of booze.

Head to Head Collisions

The collisions from the front where the bike meets heads-on with another vehicle contribute to almost 75% of accidents on the bike.

Wrong turns

When a car makes the opposite hand turn, the road can become a red alert zone for bikes. In almost 40% of accidents, the bikers are victimized when a car decides to take an abrupt turn.

Over Speeding

This is regarded as somehow the most dangerous motorcycle accident injuries. When you don’t have any control over the vehicle, the rider may lose control over the vehicle. Over speeding is responsible for 32% car accidents.

What can be done in such an alarming scenario?

This, however, does not mean at all that you should stop your favorite hobby and sit back. Having a thrilling interest comes with a risk. This risk can be avoided by taking proper precautionary measures. With the help of proper safety tips as well as proper gear, you can reduce the risk of being incredibly damaged in a car accident.

Top Safety Tips and Tricks you need to consider before Bike Riding

The way a motorcycle is driven requires different abilities than driving a car; nevertheless, every rider has the same road laws. A mixture of coherent education, respect for road traffic laws and fundamental common sense can help to reduce annually the number of deaths in motorbike accidents. To make sure your next ride is secure, it is important to understand some basic safety tips for motorcycles.

Gear Up

Despite popular belief, looking cool isn’t a top priority when riding a motorcycle. ⠀Regardless of the heat and temperature, it is not advised to wear informal attire i.e. sandals with shorts and a t-shirt when going out for a ride. Jeans also provide limited protection against injuries and road burn while slipping. You can use leathers or improved jackets pants and boots to cover yourself exceptionally well.

Shades are required if you have an open helmet and always wear gloves to cover your face. There is unique equipment for heating and cooling in warm weather. And, of course, never ride without a DOT helmet.

Check the Weather Conditions

While it might not mean much to have bad weather conditions when in the car, being stuck with bad weather when on two wheels is quite dangerous. The weather is a frequent cover to perfect road conditions and when you’re on two wheels, the dangers of wet or slippery roads increase. The absence of a roof and the body’s vulnerability to weather will not only contribute to the dangers you have but it will be doubled with half the safety of a vehicle.

The lack of visibility is the worst fear of your driver and you never realize how much can be harmed by a storm of 50 or even 30 miles/hour before you are stuck on your bike in the mud.

Bike Inspection

Bike inspection is very important. Riding a vehicle that is unfit to hit the roads is extremely dangerous. Before you leave for a ride, give your bike a thorough inspection. Tire pressure, mirror, and lighting are the stuff you must look out each time you ride your motorcycle. When you take a quick ride around your wheel, you will have some indication of whether loose screws, leaks or other technical dangers are present.

You need to take care of the regular maintenance in a diligent fashion. Don’t delay fixing anything that needs attention, perform all the regular maintenance recommended and stay in the brake pad and wear, including oil changes, chain, and suspension modifications.

Check the Brakes

Just because you’re on a motorcycle, it does not mean that you will find it quite easy to see other motorcycles all of a sudden. When changing the lanes or turning, always double-check the safety and space. A biker needs to be completely aware of how to apply various brakes in different situations.

In order to ensure a shortstop does not lead to tragic events, allow the vehicles preceding you additional space and can halt on a clock without covering the brakes. Finally, you may want to update your brakes to the anti-locks one. Studies by IIHS reveals that ABS brakes on your bike will reduce the risk of a fatal crash by 37%.

Don’t Rely Completely on Mirrors

While there are mirrors on the bike to look at the road, you can’t rely on them to be sure of what is in the immediate area. You must use your brain to maintain an understanding of your surroundings and place with other cars around you.

Experienced bike riders are conscious that it is important to keep your head and eyes up when rounding corners and that turning around and looking over your shoulder is the best way to change lanes. You can also have a sensation if other drivers pay attention to you.

Ride Happily

We all know that stress and unwanted anxiety and anger destroy any task at hand or any hobby you are looking forward to. Riding a bike in this regard is no different at all. One of the biggest risks that a rider can put themselves in is by hitting the roads in the wrong state of mind. Setting off for a journey especially when you are fuming with anger, tension or extreme distraction is definitely a path to an on-road disaster.

Just like driving, your focus while riding a bike needs to be completed on the road. Stay focused to avoid any mistakes that might lead to a bad crash later on.

Conclusion

Motorcycles are a thrill for some people and a hobby for many others. With the ride becoming more and more common on the roads, the number of accidents on motorcycles has become fairly obvious.

Before setting out on the roads, make sure that your bike is in perfect condition as well as your mind is in the right direction. Make sure that all your focus is on the road and you are secured with the right motorcycle gear and clothes.