| ents happen, but old adages aside, by taking some | | | | When you are in a hurry you are more likely to make |
| precautions most accidents can be avoided, especially | | | | mistakes. Eating or drinking is another one of |
| the ones that can be avoided with proper planning. | | | | numerous distractions tempting riders that should be |
| The reality of motorcycle riding is that accidents can | | | | avoided at all costs. Answering a phone call and |
| occur and the likelihood of the rider being injured is | | | | texting are two other distractions that take away |
| extremely high. In 98 percent of multiple vehicle | | | | from the rider’s awareness and basic ability |
| collisions and 96 percent of single collisions, the | | | | to maintain safety. |
| motorcycle rider sustained injury and considering the | | | | A common mistake for novice riders is to purchase |
| lack of protection a bike offers compared to the | | | | and try to ride a motorcycle too powerful for the |
| frame and airbags of a car or truck, the occurrence | | | | rider. Considering the allure of motorcycle culture, it is |
| of injury seems hardly surprising. In terms of motor | | | | easy to understand the appeal of a |
| vehicle accidents, regardless of the dictionary | | | | “big” bike with a “big” |
| definition of accidents being events that happen | | | | engine. However, in terms of throttle control these |
| without fault, most motorcycle accidents are caused | | | | vehicles accelerate at the twist of the right handle |
| by another driver’s negligence. | | | | towards the rider. Since rapid acceleration happens at |
| Having to share the road with commercial vehicles | | | | the subtle slip of the wrist, the abrupt g-force can |
| and smaller cars and trucks alike, any motorcycles | | | | lead to the driver losing control of the vehicle. |
| using the roadways are usually the smallest in | | | | Motorcycle engines are measured in cubic |
| comparison. The motorist failing to see the | | | | centimeters (cc), which dictate horsepower. The |
| motorcyclist is the leading cause of all motorcycle | | | | average Harley has been between a 600cc and |
| related accidents. When a bike and a car collide, | | | | 1000cc motor, however the best beginner’s |
| pound for pound the car will win regardless of which | | | | bikes have between a 250cc and 350cc engine: |
| driver may be at fault. Maintaining a safe distance | | | | Smaller engine, smaller bike, safer ride. |
| (not tailgating) is one safeguard. Bike riders, on the | | | | With the exception of extreme climates, |
| other hand, have the advantage of better sensory | | | | motorcycling regardless of weather is possible. That |
| awareness permitted by the open structure of the | | | | being said, precaution must be taken. When riding in |
| bike. The average biker has a 270-degree view of | | | | wet and icy conditions, follow the obvious guidelines |
| the road and the ability to make 90-degree turns | | | | that pertain to all motorists, namely reduce speed |
| both abilities which the bike’s four-wheel | | | | and minimize vehicle acceleration and sequent braking. |
| counterparts don’t possess. Defensive driving | | | | Cyclists have isolated brake control and may use |
| or in this case, defensive riding requires being acutely | | | | both brakes in moderate conditions, but the rider |
| aware of one’s surroundings from the cars | | | | should be warned to avoid the front brake on |
| cutting into the bike’s lane to the 18-wheel | | | | extremely slippery surfaces, including ice. Ideally, the |
| trucks abruptly braking. | | | | rider would squeeze the clutch and coast to a stop. |
| Because both visual and auditory awareness is | | | | Learning defensive driving techniques may not stop all |
| especially important when riding a bike, complete | | | | accidents, but recognizing common rider mistakes and |
| concentration is a must. Never rush because you are | | | | the steps to take to correct them offer keys for |
| late somewhere. It is essential to remain focused. | | | | prevention. |