2011 11 Protecting Yourself On The Road A Bike Safety Primer | Road Traffic Accidents

Protecting yourself on the road: a bike safety primer

The fact that it’s just you and the open road is the joy of motorcycling – and also its biggest danger. The number of serious accidents and even deaths is on the rise. Fortunately there are several key steps you can take to reduce both the risk of having an accident, and the potential for damage if you do have one.

Of course, no matter how many precautions you take, motorcycling is never going to be a risk-free activity. That’s why it’s vital to get proper insurance. Don’t just rely on getting the bare legal minimum at the cheapest price. Instead, check out a specialist bike insurer such as MCE Insurance. Not only can such companies make sure you get the right amount cover at the right price for your specific bike set-up, but in the unfortunate event that you have to make a claim, they’ll have the expert knowledge to process it without having to waste time asking the type of questions you get from companies that are more concerned with four-wheel vehicles.

Even if you take every precautionary measure going, there’s still going to be a danger of crash, so one of your biggest priorities is to have the right equipment. An adequate helmet in good condition is the most important item simply because there’s a much greater chance it will mean the difference between life and death. Don’t try to save cash by buying a second-hand helmet: if you’re the only ever owner, you know it’s not being damaged.

Other keys to clothing are to cover all the body so there’s no skin exposed. In particular look for “full finger” gloves with a proper grip, and consider special trousers that protect against the heat of the bike. Make sure boots or shoes have a good grip (avoiding laces as these can be lethal if tangled in the bike) and consider some sort of eye protections such a goggles or a visor.

The bike itself is your next area of caution. Unlike a car, you can’t just rely on an annual check-up: you should give your bike a once-over before every journey. Check the bike all-over, meaning you look at the tyres, chassis and lights. Make sure also to check that you have enough brake, clutch and coolant fluids and that all there aren’t any leaks. Don’t forget to check all your controls are working smoothly as well.

You can take all the measures you like with your bike and clothing, but the way you rise remains vital. Part of this is simply a case of making sure you ride as safely as the day you did on your test, paying particular attention to taking care on bends, overtaking with caution and braking in a controlled fashion. But there’s also a psychological element: don’t let the inherent freedom of biking tempt you into taking unnecessary risks, and don’t be afraid to hang back if you’re with a group where others aren’t riding safely.