Popular culture and mainstream media have created a stereotyped image of motorcyclists. They live for the thrill of the moment, and a motorcycle is more than just a means of transport. It represents an adventurous lifestyle fueled by Harley Davidson advertisements, sleek leather-clad biking gear, and a free-spiritedness associated with motorcyclists.
Most people fail to understand the need for motorcycle safety and injury prevention strategies. Many people regard motorcyclists as dare-devils and adrenaline-junkies who compromise the road safety of other vehicles. Others find their free-spirited and carefree lifestyle enviable, vying to taste the wind while racing a motorcycle on rugged terrains.
Beginners gearing up for an action-packed adventure on their newly-purchased motorcycles must invest in safety gear before hitting the road. Seasoned motorcyclists never sit on their rides without equipping themselves with adequate safety gear and protective clothing. Motorcycle adventurers are armed with safety equipment to protect them against roadside collisions and destructive elemental forces.
Keep reading to explore crucial safety tips that protect motorcycle riders without denying them their adrenaline fix.
Understanding your Rights & Privileges
Do you understand your legal rights and privileges as a motorcyclist on the road? Motorcyclists face discrimination in legal processes that favor other vehicle owners in case of roadside accidents and collisions. Stereotypes come into play in legal proceedings as motorcyclists are thought of as being reckless, careless, and catalysts for road rage. It’s crucial to understand local and state laws governing your roadside safety and privileges in a sea of vehicles.
Understanding your legal rights as a law-abiding motorcyclist is crucial to overcome stereotypes to ensure adequate legal representation. According to the motorcycle accident attorney’s at Rider Justice, motorcyclists enjoy equal rights under the law. And yet, they are wrongfully charged despite getting hit, injured, and killed due to someone else’s negligent driving. Accidents can happen even if you are fully equipped with safety gear and protective equipment.
Rider Justice is a dynamic platform dedicated to helping the motorcycle community with legal representation and informative resources. Seasoned attorneys emphasize the need for motorcyclists to understand their legal rights to seek compensation after getting embroiled in an accident. With the right legal representation, motorcyclists can seek compensation for medical bills, property damages, and the emotional trauma of the accident.
Motorcyclists can also demand compensation for lost wages or the loss of earning capabilities after the accident. Evidence-gathering is an area most motorcyclists struggle with and fail to build a solid defense against negligent drivers. Motorcyclists are increasingly more vulnerable to life-threatening injuries than car drivers, and injuries often render them unable to initiate legal proceedings. All motorcyclists have a legal right to enjoy their space on the highway, regardless of how big or small their ride is.
Invest in Protective Gear to Ensure Safety
Helmets with a Department of Transportation (DOT) certification are ideal in preventing head injuries. These helmets are fully fortified to withstand the intense impact of a motorcycle crash or roadside collision. It’s wise to buy a DOT-approved helmet when you bring home your first motorcycle.
A helmet isn’t the only piece of protective gear you need to carry before hitting the road. It’s crucial to invest in protective clothing, even if you’re not eager to emulate the Sons of Anarchy wardrobe aesthetics. A sturdy leather jacket, gloves, pants, and over-the-ankle boots will protect you against road rashes, debris, and elemental forces.
Many seasoned motorcyclists dress up in multiple layers to adjust their outfits by dressing up or down, based on weather changes. We strongly advise investing in non-slip leather gloves and boots to prevent hand and foot fatigue and maximize your comfort. Experts also recommend investing in goggles to prevent the wind from blurring your vision.
Consider a Training or Safety Course
Are you a beginner anxious to hit the road on your newly-purchased Harley Davidson? Or perhaps, you’re an intermediate motorcyclist struggling to comply with traffic rules and maintain road safety with other vehicles? Taking a training or safety course can solve your problem with an immersive learning experience.
Training and safety courses allow riders to learn traffic rules and practice riding skills in safe road simulation settings. Most states across the United States require motorcyclists to pass mandatory safety courses to obtain a motorcycle license. Even if you have a license, you can retake a safety course to strengthen core concepts and improve your skills.
Most people underestimate the skills and precision it takes to ride a motorcycle and expose themselves to life-threatening situations. A safety course will help you develop sound judgment and advanced skills to avert road casualties. These courses equip us with motorcycling skills and expertise to handle unpredictable roadside complications efficiently and safely.
Double-Check Everything before Riding Out
Do you have a habit of inspecting your motorcycle and checking the weather before riding out into the sun? Experienced motorcyclists always plan their adventurers after checking the weather to prevent the elements from ruining their adventures. The volatile and unpredictable forces of the elements demand constant monitoring, and weather updates prepare motorcyclists for road safety.
You don’t want to ride a motorcycle through rainstorms, snowstorms, or ice-covered routes. These weather conditions give birth to many road hazards that set the stage for accidents and collisions. For instance, rain can compromise your visibility and reduce traction, while ice creates slipping hazards.
It’s also crucial to inspect your motorcycle for faulty components to ensure road safety. Before every ride, examine the fuel tank, tire pressure, headlights and taillights, brakes, and horn. Also consider your personal safety matters, for example, install a personal emergency app.
Final Thoughts
Motorcyclists need to understand their roadside privileges and equip themselves with protective gear to avert fatal accidents. If you don’t prioritize your safety on the road, don’t expect others to show concern for your wellbeing. It’s natural for unequipped motorcyclists to attract discriminatory stereotypes in the event of an accident.
Suppose you’re not complying with traffic rules and state-mandated road safety guidelines. In that case, legal proceedings are likely to get intense and unfavorable given your lack of compliance with road safety regulations.