By PAGE Editor

Now that you have the shiny card which grants you permission to ride a bike, how do you stay safe? Every year, there are thousands of injuries and dozens of deaths because two-wheeled vehicles don't have an enclosed space for the rider. So, if you want to know how to stay safe, here are some tips.

1. Respect the rules of the road

Motorcycles have the power to speed up and stop much faster than other vehicles. They can weave in and out of traffic, go between lanes, and avoid accidents that a larger vehicle could not. However, this power comes at a cost: there's no security blanket surrounding you. That means you have to follow the rules of the road as if your life depended on it – because it does! Cars are so big and their drivers so used to being insulated from everything around them that they take driving for granted.

They don't even see motorcycles half the time! If you break a rule on the road, someone is going to be hurt, whether it is yourself or another driver on the road. If, still, you happen to be involved in a motorcycle accident, you need a motorcycle accident attorney to help you. This is the smartest thing you can do and should do if you are involved in an accident.

2. Wear the proper gear

The last thing you want is to be thrown from your bike and either killed or severely injured. Wear the proper gear, including (but not limited to) a helmet, gloves, boots, and leathers if possible. The only way you're getting hurt bad enough to go to the hospital for an injury is if you get thrown off your bike without any gear at all! While wearing regular clothes when riding makes sense when you are just tooling around town, it's definitely not enough when you are in high speed situations. So wear appropriate protection when on the road. Helmets aren't there just to protect your head, they will also keep bugs out of your teeth and your eyes from the sun.

3. Orderly lane change

Changing lanes quickly and chaotically is the exact opposite of how motorcycles should be driven. By using your turn signals early and smoothly changing lanes in an orderly manner, you decrease the chances of someone rear-ending you or hitting you while trying to get around you. Don't just dart between cars when there is no need to! Make sure that when you are about to change lanes that there is enough space for both yourself and your bike, then signal before diving into traffic. This way, it's much easier for others on the road to accommodate your lane shifting, instead of blindly swerving out into traffic because they didn't know where you were going until it was too late.

4. Ditch the headphones

Hearing what's going on around you is a must when operating a motor vehicle, and it's even more important when you're on a motorcycle. Despite their small size, motorcycles can be just as loud as cars and trucks, so you don't want to block out the noise with headphones or earplugs. You need to hear what other drivers are saying about you or if someone is honking at you to give them space, so unplug your ears from their source of music and let your natural hearing take over for these times. When changing lanes on the road, make sure to listen carefully for any car behind you because they might not have noticed that you were moving over in front of them! 

5. Don't tailgate

When driving, you probably find yourself getting frustrated when someone is riding your bumper. Or maybe this happens to you while you are on the road, and it makes you get over lanes or hit the brakes. Well, that's exactly what not to do when riding a motorcycle. You need space in front of you at all times because motorcyclists can stop much faster than other vehicles on the road. If someone is too close to your rear fender, they could be caught off guard by how fast you stop or slow down. Don't give them any reason to make an accident with you more likely by getting too close! Plus, if there isn't enough time for them to move over before they get stuck behind another car without enough room themselves, then they might end up running right into you just because they couldn't see around said car!

Motorcycling is a fun and exciting hobby, but it can also be dangerous. By following these few simple steps, you can significantly lower your risk of being in an accident, or the severity of any injuries that you might sustain during one. As long as you are able to ride safely and smartly, the sky's the limit as to what you can accomplish on a motorcycle. Just be careful out there and always wear appropriate gear!

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