Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycle riders have probably had plenty of people remind them of the danger in their favorite hobby. As tough as it is to admit, your mother is right after all. Riding a motorcycle is a dangerous endeavor—but you don’t have to give up your bike altogether to practice motorcycle safety. Just learn the techniques of motorcycle safety and you will know what to do in the incident of an accident. You can ride the road with confidence once you are sure that your motorcycle safety knowledge is sufficient.

One popular motorcycle safety tip is a myth perpetuated by years of motorcycle riders. Unfortunately, this motorcycle safety tip is actually a terrible hazard now that the newer bikes are built with more motorcycle safety features. Laying down your bike is not the optimal choice in motorcycle safety practices.

Continue reading to learn more about this dangerous motorcycle safety myth. The DMV.org offers advice on motorcycle safety and proper crash techniques in the following article.

How to Lay Down the Bike

There are many myths associated with riding motorcycles, like they make you impervious to pain, your mother loves them, or that cops can’t see you when you’re speeding on one. Another common myth is that it’s a good idea to lay your bike down in order to avoid a crash.

The Beginnings of a Dangerous Myth

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Most motorcyclists have heard at least one story about someone who claims he was forced to lay down his bike to prevent a potentially fatal crash. In many cases, however, these stories end with broken bones, head injuries, and totaled bikes. So it’s only logical to wonder whether this is truly the best technique for avoiding accidents.

The motorcycles you see today are much more technologically advanced than bikes of the past. In fact, motorcycle brakes were once so bad that riders could often stop better by sliding or tumbling off the bike. Back in those days, practicing how to lay down your bike was actually a standard part of learning to ride.

Fortunately, we now have tires with better traction and antilock brakes that let us stop in a straight line on any surface. Today’s bikes are also capable of stopping faster than ever before, making the advice about always lying down to avoid a crash obsolete. For this reason, motorcycle safety instructors do not teach new riders how to lay down a bike.

Of course, it’s also possible that this myth was merely started by motorcyclists who wanted to cover up the fact that they fell accidentally. However, accepting this lore as good advice can result in serious or fatal injuries.

Proper Crash-Avoidance Techniques

When faced with a potentially dangerous situation, it’s generally best to remain upright on your bike. Remember, tire rubber has an immense amount of traction. However, plastic, steel, and chrome (the materials found on the side of the bike) offer almost no traction. When you stay on your motorcycle instead of letting it slide, you’ll be better able to stop in time or swerve out of the way. The only possible time where it might be a better idea to purposely end up on the ground is when it’s better than the alternative, like going over a guardrail down a cliff or into the middle of a ten-car pile-up. Once you lay down a bike, you have absolutely no control over where you will end up.

Knowing when and how to stop or swerve is the best way to keep yourself safe while riding a motorcycle, other than not getting into an accident in the first place. In fact, recent studies show that most accidents can be attributed to two factors:

• The motorcyclist underbraked the front tire and overbraked the rear tire.
• The motorcyclist did not separate braking from swerving or failed to swerve when appropriate.

To stop your bike quickly, apply both brakes at the same time. If your front wheel locks while braking, release the brake quickly before firmly reapplying and pressing on the rear brake. If you accidentally lock the rear brake, it’s best to keep it locked until you have completely stopped.

If you are turning or riding on a curve, attempt to straighten the bike before braking. However, if you simply must stop while leaning, it’s best to apply the brakes lightly while reducing the throttle.

Of course, if you have the choice, you can swerve to avoid an accident. But if you’re in a situation that calls for both braking and swerving, apply your brakes before or after you attempt to swerve. Never try to swerve while braking simultaneously.

Motorcycle Safety Training

Even if you’ve been riding your bike for years, it’s a good idea to attend a motorcycle safety course on a regular basis. Motorcycles can be dangerous, especially if you’re not familiar with the latest safety practices.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a national organization dedicated to helping motorcycle owners learn the skills they need to stay safe on the road. Safety courses are offered at 1,500 locations throughout the United States. The 15-hour curriculum covers essential skills for both novice and experienced motorcyclists. To find a course near you, call  (800) 446-9227 or visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation online.

Don’t follow the archaic methods of motorcycle safety from the past. Rather, do your research and be prepared for a crash if the day does come. Your knowledge of the best motorcycle safety tactics could save your life.

Utilize both breaks in equal amounts when having to stop unexpectedly. If you have trouble with your front tire, use the same pumping technique applied to cars before the introduction of automatic ABS brakes. These motorcycle safety techniques will help you prevent fatal accidents.

Consider taking a motorcycle safety course in which you can practice these braking techniques in a safe environment. If the time comes when you get into a bind, your motorcycle safety education will come in handy. It is better to prepare for the worst than pretending nothing bad will ever happen to you.

If you are a motorist that has been involved in an accident with another vehicle, please contact the lawyers at Bander, Bander & Alves, your personal injury specialists. We will get you the compensation that you deserve.