25 Motorcycle Safety Tips
Riding a motorcycle down the open highway can be an incredible feeling, but it only takes one mistake for a distracted driver to put an end to your cycling days forever. Motorcyclists accounted for 15 percent of all fatal accidents in 2022. Because motorcycles don’t have exterior protections similar to cars, high-speed situations commonly turn perilous and even deadly.
The experienced legal team at Meirowitz & Wasserberg compiled this list of 25 motorcycle safety tips to spread awareness of the dangers of riding a motorcycle. Our team of knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorneys has extensive experience handling cases involving severe injuries or wrongful death.
Taking basic riding precautions can help you protect yourself and your bike while on the road. Follow these 25 vital motorcycle safety tips to ensure your ride remains safe.
“In 2022, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed — 15% of all traffic fatalities. NHTSA data show that this is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since at least 1975.” –National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
25 Motorcycle Safety Tips You Need To Ride Safely
Riding a motorcycle is risky because, unlike other vehicles, your body is largely unprotected and exposed to the elements. Lacking the protection of a steel vehicle with safety restraints and airbags dramatically increases your likelihood of serious injury on the road.
However, there are many ways you can improve your safety and minimize risk when you ride. Following these motorcycle riding safety tips can help you avoid potentially dangerous motorcycle accidents that can result in irreparable damage, life-altering injuries, or even death.
Making these motorcycle safety tips a part of your riding routine will improve your on-road experience and allow you to practice responsible motorcycle riding.
1. Select the Right Motorcycle for You
One of the most important safety precautions you can take as a rider starts before you even hit the road—choosing the right motorcycle. Purchase a bike with up-to-date safety features such as:
- Electronic tire pressure monitoring
- Adaptive headlights and LED lighting
- Anti-lock braking
- Automatic clutch and shift
- Drag-torque slip control
- Stability and traction control
2. Know Your Motorcycle
Know your motorcycle's current condition and any quirks it may have. Each motorcycle is unique, so invest time in familiarizing yourself with it. Get to know how it rides and handles turns. Also, take rides on easy roads to memorize where all the buttons and switches are so you know where they are in high-speed situations.
3. Check and Recheck The Weather Before You Ride
Whether you are taking a relaxed backcountry ride on a lazy Sunday afternoon or a cross-country trip, the weather can be an integral factor in the safety and enjoyment of your motorcycle outing. Ice, snow, and rain can compromise your riding safety due to lowered traction and visibility.
4. Pre-Ride Checklist — T-CLOCS
A thorough pre-ride inspection will save you the hassle of a breakdown and could save your life. Always give your bike a comprehensive examination to ensure everything works correctly. If something isn't right, fix it or delay your outing until you can.
Be vigilant about your safety checklist. Conduct a T-CLOCS inspection. The T-CLOCS acronym should help you remember what to check, and T-CLOCS stands for:
- Tires and wheels
- Controls
- Lights and electrics
- Oil and other fluid
- Chassis
- Stands
5. Avoid Lane Splitting
As a general rule, avoid lane splitting to keep yourself safe on the road, but whether lane splitting is legal depends on your state's laws.
While weaving between lanes might seem like a time-saver, it significantly increases your risk of a serious accident. Drivers may not see you coming—even a small mistake can lead to costly outcomes and devastating injuries.
“Lane splitting is the practice of riding a motorcycle in between cars in slow-moving or stopped traffic. We advise all riders to follow the rules of the road no matter what, even if conduct is not expressly prohibited, because it may result in citations or sanctions, or even additional injury.”
6. Ride Defensively
Always follow the rules of the road and never give other drivers the benefit of the doubt. Instead, assume other drivers are distracted, poor drivers and that they cannot see you. You should also implement the Search, Evaluate, and Execute strategy:
- Search for factors that could increase your risk
- Evaluate potential problems that may arise from these factors
- Execute maneuvers to prevent the hazardous interaction
7. Make Yourself and Your Motorcycle Visible
You are safer when other drivers know you're on the road. To ensure other drivers can see you implement the following precautions:
- Use reflective decals on your clothing and motorcycle
- Check that your headlight is working
- Flash your brake light when stopping or slowing
8. Wear a Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet
A full-face helmet is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself while riding a motorcycle. It provides complete coverage for your face, head, and jaw—areas most vulnerable in a crash.
Look for helmets with a DOT label which indicates they meet safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Just as important, make sure your helmet fits properly. A well-fitted helmet stays secure and provides maximum protection in an accident.
9. Know Your Escape Route
Always know where you can veer off if another driver acts erratically. You never know when someone may make a poor decision on the road. Also, always know where you can escape if another driver pulls out in front of you, fails to see you, or stops suddenly. Any of these mishaps could cause you to crash if caught off guard.
10. Dress For the Ride and a Crash — ATGATT
A crash is possible whenever you decide to take a ride on your motorcycle. To deal with this risk, always wear protective gear. Remember the acronym ATGATT: All the gear, all the time.
- Helmet
- Leathers
- Boots
- Gloves
These pieces should be strong enough to help you avoid severe road rash and other injuries associated with motorcycle accidents.
11. Corner Your Bike Within Your Skill Limits
When you need to corner, keep it within your skill level and your motorcycle's limits. Cornering too aggressively is a major contributor to motorcycle accidents. When cornering, it is easy to oversteer by: Accelerating into the corner too aggressively or too early Entering the corner too quickly Braking into the corner Lifting off the throttle or braking mid-corner
12. Ride With Your Head on a Swivel
"Keep your head on a swivel" is safety advice bikers hear regularly. It means looking for potential threats to your safety. You may be an excellent driver, but there is no guarantee that everyone else on the road is as skilled as you. Being hyperaware of your surroundings can protect you from potential hazards.
Maintain awareness of other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, animals, and other objects that could interfere with your route. Always look for ways to evade potential hazards during your ride.
13. Stay Left or Right in Slowing Traffic
Sometimes, traffic can suddenly begin to slow. When this happens, keeping your motorcycle to the left or right of the vehicle in front of you is best. This maneuver keeps an escape route open and offers protection if a driver rear-ends the car behind you. You should be far enough to either side to prevent getting crushed between the car behind you and the one in front of you.
If traffic stops, be ready to go if danger strikes. Keep your eyes on the mirror scanning for trouble, your bike in gear, and your clutch depressed.
14. Let Larger Vehicles Run Interference in Intersections
When you're passing through an intersection and a large pickup truck makes the same turn, you can use it as a shield and turn with the pickup truck. If a negligent driver blows through their red light, they'll hit the pickup truck rather than you. While you may still experience some collateral damage, depending on how fast the reckless driver was traveling, it may not be as bad as being t-boned directly.
If you can't use another vehicle as a shield, wait once your light turns green. Ensure all vehicles traveling on the crossroad obey their red light before making your turn.
15. Don't watch the car; watch the wheels for movement
Not every driver on today's roads is alert. Unfortunately, some drivers may not have a decent view of your bike and may be unaware of your existence. When riding a motorcycle, you can increase your visibility by wearing reflective gear and headlights, but even that may not be enough to make your presence known.
Instead of watching the car to anticipate its next move, watch its wheels for movement, which often hint at the driver's next move. If you see the wheels begin to angle, the vehicle may be about to change lanes. Noticing this slight warning can be the difference between a pleasant ride and a crash.
15. Don't watch the car; watch the driver for what they are going to do
Unfortunately, for alert drivers, a car does not provide many clues about the driver's next move. By watching the driver instead, you may be able to predict their next movement.
If a driver begins checking the right-hand mirror, they may be about to merge to the right or make a right-hand turn. This information may help you to avoid a motorcycle accident.
17. Practice evasive maneuvers regularly
You may never need to employ an evasive maneuver to avoid physical injury. However, in a dire situation, knowing how to evade harm safely is important. You can enroll in a defensive driving motorcycle course or practice evasive maneuvers. Moves to try include:
- Emergency motorcycle stop
- Emergency motorcycle swerve
- Emergency motorcycle straighten and stop
- Slow speed turns
- Slow speed U-turns
- Cornering
- Crossing over obstacles
Learning how to use these techniques will make them easier to recall in times of need. Practicing evasive maneuvers will also let you know how your bike will react during these procedures.
18. Keep Your Bike's Headlight On, Day and Night
Much of motorcycle driving safety relates to visibility. When other drivers can see you, they are much less likely to move their vehicle in a manner that could cause you harm. It makes sense to keep your headlight on during the evening, just like a car. However, you may not be aware that your headlight can also help protect you during the day.
There may be state laws regarding daytime headlight use. But even if your state does not require you to use your motorcycle headlight during the day, there are additional reasons to do so. Your headlight can make you more visible to others under the following conditions:
- Traveling in reduced visibility due to poor weather conditions, such as fog
- Riding on winding roads
- Traveling through construction zones
- Driving through a narrow mountain pass
Keeping your lights on can give other drivers a better chance of seeing you.
19. Train Your Eyes To Detect Possible Road Hazards
Motorcycle safety requires practice and repetition before it becomes second nature. It is possible to train your eyes to detect potential hazards while driving.
Some of the top hazards that you can train yourself to watch out for include:
- Uneven road surfaces
- Blind spots
- Oil, debris, sand, gravel, and slick surfaces
- Side roads
- Intersections
- Dogs, animals, and young children
By picking up on these potential hazards, you can avoid them more easily and with increased safety.
20. Be Wary of Metal Objects Such as Railroad Tracks or Grates
Obstacles like sewer grates, potholes, and railroad tracks can be dangerous. When wet, these surfaces become slippery and can cause you to lose control of your motorcycle. When crossing railroad tracks on your motorcycle, cross at a 90-degree angle to prevent your tires from sliding.
21. Never Change Gears in a Curve
In an ideal world, you should always shift gears before you enter a turn. Always consider whether you should change gears before an upcoming curve. If you need to shift gears mid-curve, attempt to do so as smoothly as possible while matching your engine speed. Quick changes in power to your back wheel can cause you to skid during a turn and could send you and your motorcycle into the wrong lane or off the road.
22. Manage Your Risk by Managing Your Speed
Monitoring your surroundings for potential risks and reduce your speed when a hazard appears. For example, reduce your speed if you see an oil slick you can't avoid.
Also, reduce your speed to create space in front of your bike. For safety, give yourself more room than you think is necessary to allow yourself more time to react to unexpected hazards and avoid potential crashes.
23. Ride at 70 Percent of Your Skill Level
One of the best precautions you can take is accurately assessing your motorcycle skill level and consistently driving approximately 30 percent below it. Driving cautiously gives you a small margin of error to deal with sudden surprises, such as the car in front of you suddenly braking.
Motorcyclists who drive at 100 percent of their ability level have little time to react when the unexpected occurs. One of the best ways to be a defensive driver is to regularly take your driving down a few notches and drive your bike at 70 percent of your skill level.
24. Never Outride Your Sightlines
You should never drive so fast that you cannot stop before outriding where you can currently see. There could be something unexpected just out of sight, and if you can't break fast enough once you see it, the results could be disastrous.
For example, you should never:
- Outride your headlight at night
- Take turns too fast, as you have reduced lines of sight
- Drive at your normal speed during low visibility conditions
25. Never Position Yourself Between a Vehicle and an Exit
Sometimes, drivers nearly miss an exit, and sometimes they swerve sharply across multiple lanes to avoid missing their turn-off. An accident due to this sort of reckless driving can have dire consequences for a motorcyclist.
Just as you need to be aware of your own escape route, you should also be aware that a vehicle may attempt to reach an exit at the last moment. Leave enough room to escape and allow other drivers to make careless maneuvers without risking your safety.
The Severe Impacts of Unsafe Motorcycle Riding
Motorcycles make up only 3 percent of registered vehicles and less than 1 percent of all traveled vehicle miles in the United States. However, motorcycles accounted for nearly 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2022, with a total of 6,218 motorcyclists killed.
Motorcyclists are at disproportionate risk of serious injuries and death in accidents due to the minimal protection a motorcycle affords compared to a car or truck. Be mindful of these 25 safety tips when riding to protect yourself on the road.
When a Motorcycle Accident Happens, Know Where To Turn for Help
Part of the fun of riding a motorcycle is the feeling of freedom you enjoy when driving down the road. Enjoying your rides doesn’t mean sacrificing safety. Challenging yourself to be a more defensive and aware driver can reward you with a greater appreciation of motorcycle handling.
Being an accomplished motorcyclist who treats these precautions as second nature is no small task. However, once these safety procedures become a habit, they can remove the tension from your ride and allow you to fully enjoy your motorcycle.
These motorcycle safety tips can help keep you safe while riding your bike. However, nothing can guarantee your safety. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident with a negligent driver, it is essential to understand your rights. Contact Meirowitz & Wasserberg today to arrange your free consultation.
“Our law firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of people that are seriously injured through no fault of their own, and we have won these cases on behalf of our clients sometimes against some of the biggest corporations in the world. ”
