Safety Tips for New Motorcyclists

Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, but new bikers may not be familiar with safety practices. Because you’re not surrounded by steel and protected by airbags like in a car, motorcycles require a high degree of attention, focus and safety. And in addition to your protection, riding with safety in mind can also qualify you for a motorcycle insurance discount. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe on the road. 

Wear Safety Gear 

Your new purchase doesn’t begin and end with the motorcycle itself. You’ll also need safety gear to protect your body while riding. Most importantly, we strongly recommend a well-fitted motorcycle helmet that has passed safety inspections from a qualified testing agency. In addition, you may also wish to consider gloves, boots, thick clothing, eye protection (if your helmet doesn’t have visor) and even body armor for added protection. This gear will not only help protect you in the event of an accident, but also shields your skin from the elements as you ride. 

Be Mindful of Cars 

Sharing the road with cars can sometimes be a challenge, but a little mindfulness goes a long way. One of the most important ways to both respect other drivers and stay safe is to avoid cars’ blind spots. Riding next to a car—instead of by their back corners—makes you more visible, which may reduce the risk of an accident. And even though motorcyclists have the same rights as car drivers, you may experience some bullying, such as tailgating and other aggressive behaviors. These situations may be uncomfortable, but riding within the law is safer than reciprocating that behavior. 

Stay Focused 

Though driving any vehicle requires focus, motorcycles especially deserve some extra attention since you have to focus on balancing in addition to traffic signs and patterns. The task at hand deserves your full focus, so put away your cell phone for the duration of your ride. A text message or email isn’t worth taking your eyes off the road and creating a risky situation. 

Do you have coverage? Call Five County Insurance for more information on motorcycle insurance.