What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
Never do anything on the road that could cause others to slow down, brake, swerve, or that could startle pedestrians.
Always check the blind spots before moving away, when coming to a stop, and before making a lane change.
Sand, oil, and gravel can make you lose traction. Bumps and potholes are also dangerous, so do avoid them.
When they see you driving responsibly, they’re more likely to do the same.
Make sure to include disinfecting wipes, bandages, hand sanitizer, gauze, adhesive tape, and band-aids.
Check your tires before you ride for sufficient pressure, adequate tread, and any irregularities or embedded objects.
Check brake lights, turn signals, and headlights regularly to make sure they're all working.
Riding as part of a group carries its own responsibilities. It’s wise to build experience before riding with others.
Don’t give in to peer pressure to ride beyond your skill or comfort level.
Conduct traffic checks by scanning your environment while waiting at an intersection or traffic light. Proceed only when it’s safe.
Follow other vehicles at a safe distance. Motorcycles require less stopping distance than other vehicles, but you should still allow enough distance in front of you for the vehicle behind you to stop.
That includes listening to music and/or chatting with friends or your passenger on your intercom. These can all be distracting as you ride.
Keep your motorcycle well-maintained. A breakdown while riding can lead to a crash.
Getting angry and being pulled into a confrontation with another driver doesn't help the situation.
Stay seen with high-visibility reflective gear, especially on your upper body, where it’s more likely to catch the attention of drivers.
This goes without saying. Never ride your motorcycle while you're under the influence.
Make sure you're comfortable with a passenger, and also that they know how to do their part to make sure the ride stays safe.
You can react quicker than any other vehicle out there, but that doesn't mean you have to make moves that startle others.
Ride defensively and confidently, and anticipate what other road users are going to do. Be prepared to react appropriately.
This might sound obvious, but speeding is one of the biggest factors in fatal collisions involving motorcyclists. Ride within the speed limit.
Most of us don't have the skills to tap into the full power of our bikes. Proficiency and muscle memory take practice to develop.
Brake lightly when decelerating, so that your brake lights turn on, alerting other drivers to your change in speed.
Use intercoms only as needed and keep your chatting to only when it's necessary.
Heat and cold impair judgment and your ability to react. Dress for the ride and the weather, and be prepared to adapt to changing conditions.
Increase your skills by taking an advanced riding course. You'll learn collision avoidance maneuvers, advanced turning, and control tips.
Sources: (Road Safety Authority) (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
See also: Important traffic safety tips for all
Slow down in poor weather conditions. The dangers of wet or icy roads multiply when you're on two wheels.
Driving a motorcycle requires skill and good judgment, and a safety course can help you practice these.
It’s better for gear to be snug rather than flapping in the breeze. In the case of a mishap, snug-fitting gear protects you better from injuries and holds armor in place.
Wearing a motorcycle helmet is crucial. They're effective in preventing deaths, and they also reduce the risk of head injury by 69%.
There's no denying that riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience. However, the harsh reality is that it can be a very dangerous activity if proper precautions aren't taken. And while there are plenty of dedicated bikers who are able to responsibly enjoy their rides without incidents, many don't follow the basic motorcycle safety practices.
To make sure you stay on the safe side, check out these essential tips for incident-free rides. Simply click on.
Motorcycle safety tips every biker should know
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
LIFESTYLE Transport
There's no denying that riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience. However, the harsh reality is that it can be a very dangerous activity if proper precautions aren't taken. And while there are plenty of dedicated bikers who are able to responsibly enjoy their rides without incidents, many don't follow the basic motorcycle safety practices.
To make sure you stay on the safe side, check out these essential tips for incident-free rides. Simply click on.