Motorcycles, in case you missed the newsflash, are dangerous. And if you're not aware of that fact, there are countless friends, family members, and complete strangers who are happy to remind you with gory stories of death, dismemberment, and gore.
But contrary to the contrarians, there are loads of things we can do as motorcyclists to reduce our exposure. If you recall the Governor's Highway Safety Association's report which found that motorcycle fatalities plateaued between 2010 and 2011, that study also indicated there are five basic steps that can help you reduce the odds of getting offed on a bike.
To read their tips, check out this list of Five Ways to Cheat Death on a Motorcycle.
Source: Governors Highway Safety Association
Related:
- What's Behind the Plateau in Motorcycle Fatalities?
- Today's Lesson: Let's Not Get Too Casual Out There...
- Another One Bites the Dust: Michigan Repeals Helmet Law
- The Five Most Common Beginner Mistakes in Motorcycling
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#1 …Always
#2 …Never
#3 …We’re VERY choosy where we ride fast – but – Guilty nevertheless.
#4 …Always. I’m involved to a degree in training and mentoring.
#5…Ride like everyone in a car is blind & stupid, and they usually don’t let you down.
1969 to date…so far so good. Is there a healthy dose of luck involved in not even a broken bone in 43 years of riding? Probably…
Keep your eyes open and stay safe everyone!
I’ve been in a few accidents over the 35 or so years I’ve ridden on the road. Of these,two were violations of my right-of-way,(1-I was crowded off Mt. Rose highway,hit various a marker and a sign,high-sided it and slid into the guardrail. Rode the Harley home,though. LUCKY. 2-Cut off in traffic;nowhere to go,too close to stop. Broke my thumb and mangled the front of the bike pretty bad. Fixed it myself through the Winter,we were both ready to ride again by Spring.) Both other accidents were just plain ignorance on my part. Riding along looking at something off the street and didn’t see the car ahead of me stop. Both were low speed hits,bent the front fender,I fell over,felt stupid (which I was),but was able to ride home. These two accidents were in small town traffic;I have to respect anyone who rides in big city traffic consistently-so many people to watch and process as you ride! I lived,and rode in Reno and surrounding areas for 14 years,and never got very comfy with the traffic;seemed like vehicular insanity ran rampant there. Getting to today,with much more experience,and having matured in my riding,I find the habits I use while riding also serve me very well while driving my trucks. I feel I’m now authorized to proclaim,”If you want to be a better,safer driver,ride a motorcycle for a couple (or more) years.” By the same token,many of the tactics OTR truck drivers use are helpful for bikers too. We have a common goal,to get there without any damage or injury. Granted,the motivation may differ slightly-we do it to protect ourselves,truckers do it to not only protect their livelihood but to protect all the people around them from harm as well.
Pete, agreed all the way. But don’t jinx yourself!! Another thing that I have made a habit of in any intersection is to follow the movement of the front wheel of any potential threat. I find it easier to detect wheel motion than slight vehicular advances.
What the other gentleman said about riding making you a more aware driver is also very true. Be well.
Rich
Rich…your method of watching the front wheel on a car is excellent…I’ve used it for as long as I can recall! You reye indeed detects a circular motion far sooner a car moving even a foot.