Motorcyle Safety

Ride Safe

Motorcyclists and other good people are getting hurt and dying on our highways. I found a national statistic on the web that says there are 75% more motorcycles registered now than there were 10 years ago. Sometimes it is the biker’s fault and very often it is the fault of the driver of the passenger vehicle.

The fact of the matter is that we all need to behave responsibly, ride and drive defensively and pay attention. Let’s face the music. We are busy, often frantic people who are always in a hurry and preoccupied with our cell phones, our ipods and our rush to get home and see what Glenn Beck is going to do on Fox tonight!

If we stop at that sign at the end of the road (and that is a pretty big IF), glance right then left, and pull out - guess what? Most of us were not looking for a motorcycle and our brains wouldn’t necessarily register it if there had been one. We are looking for a car.

I know this for a fact because it happened to me and I ride a bike. No one was hurt but..........

I found a few tips on the web I would like to share.

Motorcycles are hard to spot. Look for them

Motorcycles often slow down by downshifting and so there may be no brake lights when they slow. Give them more space and watch for them to slow down at intersections.

Motorcycles turn signals are not always self-canceling. We may NOT be going to turn left!

Bikers often ride on either side of the center to avoid debris in the road and to be seen easier. This is not an invitation to ride beside us in the lane!

When you see a motorcycle in motion, don’t think of it as a motorcycle. Think of it as a person.

If you ride a bike watch for people who will not take the above advice. Be aware that EVERY SINGLE car you see at a stop sign/signal is going to pull out in front of you. Don’t speed, don’t drink and ride and do wear your helmet.

I can hear the screaming of the “no helmets, no way!” crowd, but humor me for a minute. Let me propose a Twilight Zone scenario. You are getting ready to go on a ride when Rod Sterling appears to tell you that today you will fall off your bike at say 45 mph.

Nothing you do can change this. If you throw your leg over that bike wearing a pair of flip flops, cut off jeans, a tank top with “Road Rash Rules” emblazoned on the front and nothing but a bandana on your head....you are an idiot.

Can wearing protective gear save you life? Sure.

Will it always save your life? Of course not, but it might help.

In a world where people drive cars while texting, putting on make-up and even reading a book I think we should take any reasonable precaution available.

Hey, let’s be careful out there!