Top 12 Tips for Riders During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Given the popularity of motorcycling here in California, Dordulian Law Group (DLG) has put together some important safety tips for riders.

1. Get Familiar With Your Bike: Motorcycles are unique, and every rider should be sure to take an appropriate amount of time to get properly acquainted – particularly whenever upgrading to a new bike.
2. Wear a Helmet: While this is one safety tip that’s hopefully implied, some motorcycle riders choose not to wear helmets. But helmets can be the difference between life and death in the event of a motorcycle accident. As the NHTSA confirms, in states without universal helmet laws, 57% of motorcyclists killed in 2019 were not wearing helmets (compared to only 9% in states mandating universal helmet laws).
3. Maintain Your Motorcycle: Ensuring that your bike receives regularly scheduled maintenance is a great way to keep it performing at optimum level, but it can also help prevent an unfortunate accident leading to serious or even catastrophic injuries.
4. Check Your Bike Before Every Ride: Before every ride, it is recommended that motorcyclists check tire pressure, turn signals, foot and hand brakes, and fluid levels.
5. Ride Defensively: Motorcyclists are at an obvious disadvantage when it comes to potential collisions with cars, trucks, and tractor trailers sharing the roadways. Accordingly, it’s recommended that motorcyclists drive defensively and vigilantly at all times. Be aware of blinds spots for both cars and trucks, and ride with your lights on during the day and night.
6. Obey the Rules of the Road: Following posted speed limits, lane markings, and all traffic signals is not only common sense, but it can also help ensure that you get to your destination safely.
7. Keep Weather Conditions in Mind: Weather can change in an instant, and inclement conditions can make your motorcycle trip inherently dangerous. Accordingly, always check the weather forecast for the day before heading out on your bike.
8. NEVER Drink and Drive: As mentioned above, motorcyclists are unfortunately much more likely to die in drunk or drug-induced crashes. Driving a motorcycle under the influence of any type of substance is strongly discouraged (not to mention illegal).
9. Take a Safety Course: The California Highway Patrol offers a R.I.D.E. Right motorcyclist safety course which includes a “hands on experience that will teach the necessary skills so you can be a Responsible, Informed, Disciplined, and Equipped rider.” Other benefits include a DMV skills test waiver and possible insurance breaks.
10. Wear Appropriate Motorcycle Gear: DOT-approved helmets, goggles, leather jackets, leather pants or chaps, over the ankle boots, and non-slip gloves are all essential types of gear that can help protect you from not only the elements, but also road rash, debris, and serious injury in the event of an accident.
11. Be Visible: Motorcyclists should never assume they are visible to cars and trucks sharing the roadways. Wearing bright colors or reflective clothing and driving with your headlights on can help ensure that you’re always seen by other drivers.
12. Carry a First-Aid Kit: In the event of an accident that leads to an injury, a standard first-aid kit can be useful. Keeping a kit inside your bike is strongly recommended.