Motorcycle Safety: Safety First 

As a pre-celebration to Motorcycle Month in May, AllAboutBikes is featuring a series of articles throughout the month of April related to motorcycle safety and preparing your bike for the outdoors after the long winter season. Whether you have the luxury of all year round motorcycle freedom or like us on the East Coast brave the snow and winds dreaming of that first ride on the open road, these articles pertain to you and your safety. 

Whether you ride a sport bike, a tourer or a custom motorcycle this feature will address what to do, how to do it and when.  Please refer to our article on motorcycle insurance as this is the first step in preparing for your journey on 2 wheels.  Also your state of residence will vary the requirements for motorcycle licensure, safety programs and insurance liability minimums.   So check your state’s Department of Transportation website for this information. 

When you look at the annual statistics regarding motorcycles and collisions, they are alarming. Obviously the statistics will vary from state to state depending on the climate and helmet requirements.  To take a snapshot at some seasonal states, the rates show that there continues to be a steady increase in the number of motorcycle-involved crashes with approximately 20% of the operator fatalities being male between the ages of 40 and 44.  In 2007, in our home state of Pennsylvania, motorcycle crashes accounted for 3.2% of all crash types or 4,111, with 226 resulting in fatalities.  Deaths for driver and passengers increased when compared to riders not using a helmet by nearly 6%.  We at AllAboutBikes believe in professional training, using the proper motorcycle accessories, track day participation (if able) and knowing the rules of the road.    

At the end of the day, you need to be in control.  You cannot control other drivers that fail to look in all of their mirrors or the effects of Mother Nature.  What you can control is your motorcycle’s mechanics, donning the right gear and staying alert and focused. There is nothing like being on 2 wheels and it is a passion that many of us share worldwide in our very unique and multi-cultural fraternity. 

Please join us at www.allaboutbikes.com every Tuesday for another installment on Motorcycle safety and tips on motorbike preparation from our staff writer Ron Lieback.

Be safe and enjoy the freedom of riding your 2 wheels and enjoy the open roads.