There’s nothing quite like the sound of your bike’s engine humming along in the summer. But now it’s time to figure out how to get the bike ready for that first, sweet ride.
There is every reason to believe that the coming warmer months is going to be a big one in terms of bikes on the road. With people cooped up in their houses for extended periods of time the open road seems like a safe, relaxing place to be.
Is motorcycle riding safe in 2020?
With everything going on, it’s fair to wonder about what more we could do to stay safe. With riding, however, some things never change. Motorcycles will always face a greater risk of accident and injury than other types of vehicle simply because they are smaller, lighter, and have fewer built in safety devices. That means:
- Distracted drivers
- Poorly maintained roads
- Overworked truck drivers
- Impaired drivers
- Inexperienced drivers
Can end a pleasant, relaxing ride with lifelong, devastating injuries.
What can I do?
To stay safe while riding this summer, it’s important to follow a few basic riding guidelines:
- Preparation: Make sure your bike is tuned-up, safe and ready for the road. A bike that’s spent the long off-season gathering dust might have developed some issues. Even something as minor as a tire low on air can cause serious accidents. Also always wear a helmet.
- Spacing: Everyone’s best friend, on the road and otherwise, is distance. Keep as much room between you and other riders and vehicles as humanly possible. It gives you more time to react, and allows you to adjust for trouble ahead, behind and beside you.
- Visibility: Make sure you are noticeable on the road. If you can’t see a commercial truck’s mirrors, then they can’t see you. That goes for basically everyone else on the road. A common excuse for motorcycle accidents is “I didn’t see them.”
These rules are not only sound safety advice, but practical for you from a legal standpoint. An insurance company will often imply that not taking some basic precaution was a contributing factor in the accident, and can impact your final compensation, due to <atarget=”_blank” href=”https://insurance.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odi/about-us/divisions/consumer-services/automobile/comparative-negligence”>Ohio’s comparative negligence laws.
When it’s time to ride, it’s time to ride.
Right now, thinking about a nice, long ride sounds pretty great. Just make sure you’re protecting yourself.