Thinking of buying that first motorcycle or motorbike ? Or are you already an experienced rider ? Have you seriously thought about motorcycle safety ? Did you know most motorcycle accidents involve collisions with cars ? Are you aware that motorcyclist fatalities have steadily increased while passenger-occupied vehicle fatalities have steadily decreased ? Did you know that speed is a major contributor in motorcycle accidents ?
Motorcycle safety involves the ability to operate your motorcycle skillfully. It takes well-maintained equipment, training, and the ability to anticipate and avoid potential situations that can lead to an accident. Recently, I read a very interesting article entitled "European Safety Study Finds Familiar Causes for Motorcycle Accidents". With motorcycle safety an important issue there, the article covered some good points on what every motorcyclist should know on motorcycle safety. Below are a few:
Motorcycle safety involves the ability to operate your motorcycle skillfully. It takes well-maintained equipment, training, and the ability to anticipate and avoid potential situations that can lead to an accident. Recently, I read a very interesting article entitled "European Safety Study Finds Familiar Causes for Motorcycle Accidents". With motorcycle safety an important issue there, the article covered some good points on what every motorcyclist should know on motorcycle safety. Below are a few:
The Other Guy is still deadly - Cyclists collide with cars more than any other object. In half the collision accidents, the driver of the other vehicle was judged to have made the primary error that caused the crash by failing to "perceive" the motorcyclist in 70 percent of the two-vehicle collisions.
Making sudden stops - Going either faster or slower than nearby traffic—was a contributing factor in 18 percent of the crashes.
Youth and enthusiasm - Riders between 18 and 25 years of age crashed more than their fair share, while riders aged 41 to 55 crashed less frequently.
Right there in front of you - The study found that 90 percent of all threats were in front of the riders who crashed as a result of them.
Beware the crossroads - Over half the accidents happened in intersections.
Trained for this? Riders who took some sort of rider training were more likely to try some sort of avoidance maneuver, such as braking or swerving. Untrained riders were more likely to crash without doing anything to prevent it.
Don't leave the protective gear at home or wear it casually!!
To read full article and more on motorcycle safety:
Motorcycle Safety Foundation: http://www.msf-usa.org/
Article: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/european_motorcycle_safety_study/index.html
FOR NEW OR EXPERIENCED RIDERS:
Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well
More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride
Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques
Maximum Control: Mastering Your Heavyweight Bike
Motorcycle personal protective equipment: Motorcycle safety, Personal protective equipment, Motorcycle helmet, Jacket, Glove, Motorcycle boot, Trousers, ... Types of motorcycles, Joint dislocation
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Motorcycling Excellence: Skills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right (2nd Edition)
Wells Cornette's Top Gun Rider Training 101 DVD
Ride Like a Pro DVD Vol. 5 - Jerry "Motorman" Palladino
How To Ride A Motorcycle: A Rider's Guide to Strategy, Safety and Skill Development
Michael Michael Motorcycle
