Before I started riding a motorbike my understanding of two-wheels riding safety were pretty simple – try not to crash the bike you’re on. There was not much of paying attention to what’s going on around. When I started riding a motorcycle a few years ago I HAD to learn safety rules.
YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY!!!
While cycling, you are the only one in charge of your own safety. DO NOT RELY ON OTHERS TO WATCH FOR YOU! Assume that you are invisible before crossing the road. Before taking a turn at high-speed think that there might be gravel around the corner (gravel on turns can cause skidding and a crash… Unless you know how to drift). Be conservative.
Safety Gear! Get it and wear it.
If you have any issues with style, find the the gear you like – there is plenty of styles and colors to choose from. Your gear is the ONLY thing that will stand between your skin and the ground and crashing at even 10 mph hurts bad enough – don’t rely on your skills. You might be a good rider and never crush, but follow this rule: hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
Be Aware of Safety
Sometimes I tend to get carried away – the better I feel my bike, the faster I go. If (when) it happens to you, remember to slow down for maneuvers and be comfortable with your speed. Same goes for riding in a group – if the group goes faster than you can handle, slow down. Look ahead and know where you’re going before you get there. Remember – you’re in charge of your own safety!
Buddy Safety
Pick riding buddies wisely and experience should be the key. Want to try new things – find a safe place to do so.
The safety part is probably the most repetitive and sometimes gruesome part of learning how to ride any bike, but the reason is not to scare you out of riding, but rather stress the importance of all components safe riding involves. So, just to repeat it one more time: pay attention, do not exceed your capabilities, and wear your gear. And once again, repeat after me – MY SAFETY IS MY OWN RESPONSIBILITY!!!
I think so many people think safety gear looks dorky, but what’s really dorky is getting injured in the name of style. Great tips!
I have actually never been on a motorcycle, but I bet it is a lot of fun :). And safety first – I agree.
Helmets are so important! I see so many kids on scooters or bikes without a helmet and it drives me batty!
It is great you talk about safety for the adults as well as the kids. I see posts where the adults are not following safety rules although the kids are.
I think your tip about thinking you are invisible to other motorists is important. My sister was hit by a driver who did not see her on a bike and it was devastating.
The gear is hard for me to wear because I didn’t grow up with it, but I do it anyhow for my kids’ sakes. At least they’ll always wear it because it’s what they know.
I am scared to ride a motorcycle. Something about it frightens me. The gear and safety is so important!
Great tips, and #1 is so true – it’s so scary to see people on bikes (Or in cars, for that matter) who pull out right in front of you and just assume you’ll be able to slow down. Safety is so important!!
7 tablespoons of butter in grams