Motorcycle Safety Tips – Alpha Motorcycle Training

When you are riding a motorbike, safety should be your number one priority. The laws of the road that you learn in your drivers test and motorbike training course apply to every driver, no matter what you are driving, and these laws are there to keep you safe. A combination of consistent education, awareness of traffic laws and basic common sense can go a long way when it comes to reducing traffic fatalities.

Tips to Follow for Safe Riding

• Always wear a helmet with a face shield or protective eyewear. Wearing a helmet is the best way to protect against severe head injuries. A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is five times more likely to sustain a critical head injury, so you should protect yourself.
• Wear appropriate gear to minimise the amount of injuries in case you have an accident or skid. Wearing leather clothing, boots with nonskid soles and gloves can protect your body from severe injuries.
• Follow traffic rules; obey the speed limit, be aware of traffic signs and their meanings, don’t run red lights. They seem like obvious pointers, everyone learns them in their motorcycle training course, but you would be surprised how many people don’t pay attention.
• Ride defensively, never assume that a driver can see you, nearly two thirds of all motorcycle accidents are caused by a driver violating a riders right of way. You should always bear this in mind. Keep your headlights on, stay out of  drivers blind spots, signal well in advance and watch out for turning vehicles.

Tips for Preparing to Ride

Making sure your motorbike is fit for the road is just as important as driving safely when you are actually on it. You should always be aware if there is something wrong with your motorbike, as it is in your best interest to fix it as soon as possible.

To make sure your motorbike is in good working order you should check the following:

• Tires: check for cracks, bulges or signs of wear in the tread.
• Under the motorcycle: look for signs of oil or gas leaks.
• Headlights, tail lights and signals: check they are all in working order.
• Hydraulic and coolant fluids: levels should be checked weekly.