Essential Riding Tips For Motorcycle Safety Month

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The month of May marks the unofficial start of the riding season for many bikers who have been waiting to shake off the winter cold and rainy days of spring to get out on the open road. This makes it the perfect opportunity to kick off Motorcycle Safety Month, which serves as a reminder for riders to stay alert out there and educate other drivers to share the road with bikers.

Motorcycle Safety Month has been around since the early 1980s but was officially recognized by the White House in 2022. The occasion underlines the importance of personal protective gear for motorcyclists, obeying traffic laws, riding alcohol- and drug-free, and for motorists to drive safely around motorcyclists by eliminating distractions and staying alert on the road. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, per vehicle miles traveled in 2022, motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were four times more likely to be injured. Of the motorcycle operators involved in those fatal crashes, 35% were riding without a valid motorcycle license. 

Cycle Trader is definitely on board with promoting safe riding, so we put together a list of ways you can protect yourself from harm and make yourself more visible to other motorists. 

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Equipment

Given the statistics above, it’s a dangerous world out there for bikers. No matter how careful you are, there are a lot of potential hazards that can lead to crashes that are no fault of your own, so make sure you wear protective gear.

For starters, always wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet. It’s not only the law in many states, but also the best way to save your noggin in the event of a spill. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of death by 37% for riders and 41% for passengers. One study showed that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of serious injury by 70% and the risk of fatality by 40%.

To improve your chances of reducing injury, you may also want to consider wearing riding boots to protect your feet and ankles, a leather or Kevlar jacket or riding suit, and gloves. Nobody likes taking a spill, and your gear can also reduce the chances of road rash, too. You may also consider wearing a bright-colored vest to make yourself more visible to other motorists while driving.

Preparation

Before you head out, take a couple of minutes to do a quick safety check with your bike. Check the tire pressure and tread to make sure you don’t have any bald spots, rot, or foreign objects stuck in the tires. Make sure your headlight, brake light, and turn signals are functioning properly, and test the hand and foot brakes.

Also, is your motorcycle license up to date? If it has been a while since you’ve ridden, you might want to take a refresher course. If you’re just getting started, we recommend a basic motorcycle safety class from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

If you will be riding with a passenger, make sure they understand the basics of riding, including: only mounting the bike after you are situated and have it started; holding on tightly at all times; keeping their legs and feet away from the muffler; leaning with you when taking curves; and waiting for you to instruct them to dismount.

Keep Your Wits About You

Riding a motorcycle takes balance, coordination, good judgment, and often quick decision-making skills. Never ride while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or if you’re experiencing a state of exhaustion. Obey traffic laws, leave plenty of room between yourself and other vehicles while out on the road, and ride defensively.

If you are riding a new bike for the first time, take it for a short ride in a controlled environment (empty parking lot, quiet neighborhood street, etc.) so you can get used to the feel of the bike, how it moves, and where the controls are located before you head out on the open road. 

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And when you’re ready for that new ride, CycleTrader.com has the largest online selection of new and used motorcycles, so you can sell your previous ride and find your next bike quickly. Just remember that motorcycle safety is a year-round thing, not just during May, so always be alert and keep yourself safe.

Barrett Baker

Barrett Baker is a freelance writer with more than 40 years of writing experience. He has worked with the U.S. Department of Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and a variety of advertising and marketing firms throughout his career. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, cooking, and working with animal rescues.

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