Tips To Stay Safe On Your Motorbike

Summer is the ideal time to get your motorbike out of the garage. Thoughts of opening up the throttle on the wide open roads and gorgeous weather with no ice, slush or rain to deal with are tempting for motorbike enthusiasts across the country. The only thing spoiling this perfect picture is the safety issue.

Regardless of weather and road conditions, riding a motorbike can be riskier than driving around in a car. That does not mean you need to keep your beloved bike all wrapped up in the garage. Instead, these tips will help you stay safer on the road while riding on your motorbike.

Before You Start Riding A Motorbike

This section is relevant for new riders and includes a few tips on getting ready to ride a motorbike.

Attend A Motorbike Safety Course

Before you take a motorbike test, you may need to attend a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. This is not something you pass or fail, but it provides the basic training you need to understand how to prepare your motorbike and ride it safely on public roads.

Make Sure Your Bike Is Ready To Ride

Even if your motorbike has recently been purchased or just passed its MOT, there are some checks you should make before your journey begins. These basic safety checks could protect you and other road users, so are essential. Therefore, before setting off, you should check:

Protect Yourself With Safety Gear

Motorbikes offer very little protection if you’re involved in a Road Traffic Accident (RTA), so it’s important that you purchase the right protective gear. This includes:

• An approved safety helmet.
• Protective eyewear if you have an open helmet.
• Leather jacket.
• Leather trousers.
• Boots that protect your ankles.

Not only should these items protect you if you’re knocked off a motorbike, but they could also protect you from road debris or overhanging foliage.

Importantly, if you have a pillion passenger on your motorbike, they should also wear protective clothing and a helmet.

Check The Local Weather Conditions

Finally, before you begin your ride, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast for the route you’re taking. There may be times when adverse weather conditions could make your journey dangerous (snow, ice, rain, wind) so you may wish to consider an alternative form of transport.

Riding Your Motorbike

Let’s now take a look at some of the steps you could take while riding a motorbike to try to prevent accidents from occurring.

Stay Visible At All Times

In many accidents involving motorbikes, other road users have said that they didn’t spot the motorbike coming. This can often be the case in dull or dark conditions or where your clothing blends in with the background. Therefore, you should try to make yourself as visible as possible by wearing high-visibility clothing or stripes on your helmet. Also, as mentioned earlier, you should make sure your motorbike’s lights are working correctly before you begin your journey.

Be Aware Of Accident Black Spots

Many local authorities use road signs to identify motorbike accident blackspots. These are often blind corners or bends where vehicles have collided in the past. If you see this type of sign, it’s a good idea to slow down and take the bend more cautiously than you normally would.

Ride Your Motorbike Defensively

All road users can drive defensively to try and prevent motorcycle accidents, but this technique is perhaps more important for motorbike riders. Essentially, driving defensively means that you should be aware of your surroundings and the current conditions and adapt your riding style accordingly.

Some tips on how motorbike riders can keep safe by riding defensively include:

Anticipate Other Road Users’ Reactions

Anticipating other road users’ reactions is critical for motorcyclists to stay safe on the road. They should constantly observe the behaviour of drivers, pedestrians, and other vehicles to predict potential hazards. Maintaining a safe following distance allows more time to react to sudden stops or turns from other vehicles. Watch for signs of distraction or inattentiveness in drivers and be prepared to take evasive action.

Also, utilising mirrors to stay aware of vehicles approaching from behind and being proactive and cautious while riding can help motorcyclists anticipate and respond to the actions of others, reducing the risk of accidents and promoting overall road safety.

Concentrate & Scan The Road Ahead

To concentrate and scan the road ahead, motorcyclists must maintain focus on their surroundings. They should keep their eyes on the road at all times, scan for potential hazards, and be aware of changing traffic conditions.

Watch Out For Pedestrians

Motorcyclists can help to protect pedestrians by reducing speed in high pedestrian areas, such as near zebra crossings, schools and crowded streets. They should stay vigilant for any sudden movements from pedestrians who may not notice or expect motorcycles and be prepared to stop or slow down if pedestrians appear to be crossing or stepping onto the road.

Under new highway code instructions, pedestrians now have the right of way in many situations.

Look Out For Potholes & Other Road Defectsefects

Motorbike riders should always be on the lookout for potholes and road defects. They should scan the road to look for any signs of road damage, uneven surfaces or cracks. This will be easier if you keep a safe distance from other vehicles, as you’ll be able to see any potholes or defects sooner.

Extra care should be taken on unfamiliar roads, especially after rain, when potholes might be hidden. If you do encounter or suspect the presence of road defects, you should reduce your speed accordingly to lower the risk of pothole accidents or damage to your motorbike.

Ride Cautiously At Bends & Junctions

While riding your motorbike, you should exercise caution at bends and junctions by slowing down before approaching these areas. Maintain a wide and steady line through the bends to try and maintain the balance of the bike. Always look ahead and through the turn to anticipate any potential hazards.

When approaching junctions, reduce your speed and be prepared to stop if necessary. Check for approaching vehicles, pedestrians and any obstructions. You can also reduce the risks of an accident at a roundabout or junction by avoiding sudden manoeuvres and signalling to other road users as early as possible. Riding cautiously at bends and junctions enhances safety and reduces the risk of collisions.

Overtake Carefully

When overtaking on your motorbike, you should assess the road ahead to make sure you have enough space and time to perform the overtake without endangering yourself or other road users. Always check your blind spots and use your indicators when overtaking and pulling back in so others around you are clear of your intentions. Always ensure that you leave enough space between you and the other vehicle when passing to avoid collisions.

Drive Within Speed Limits & Maintain Safe Braking Distances

As a motorbike rider, you should always drive within speed limits to maintain better control and to deal with unexpected hazards. Adhering to speed limits allows for ample time to react to changing road conditions and unforeseen obstacles.

Additionally, they must constantly consider braking distances, especially in adverse weather or slippery surfaces. Maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles provides sufficient room to brake efficiently in emergencies. By being mindful of speed and braking, motorcyclists can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and protect themselves and others on the road.

What To Do If You’re Involved In A Motorbike Accident

Even if you are careful and follow some of the guidance we’ve suggested in this article, you might still be involved in a motorbike accident. There are some steps to follow after a motorbike accident if you need to make an insurance or personal injury claim following the accident. These include:

• Call the emergency services if anybody is seriously injured.
• Visit A&E for medical treatment if needed.
• Note the details of any other vehicle involved in the accident. This should include the registration number, make, model and colour of the vehicle.
• Swap details with anybody else involved in the accident (this is a legal requirement).
• Take photographs of the accident scene, ideally before any vehicles are moved from the scene.
• Secure dashcam or helmet-cam footage of the accident, where possible.
• Write down as much as you can about the accident while it’s fresh in your mind, e.g. the date, location, road number and weather conditions.

Summary

We hope that our tips to stay safe on your motorbike have helped you in some way. Generally, riding a motorbike is very safe and enjoyable, but, as with other types of vehicles, accidents can happen. Taking some of the tips we’ve listed in this article could help prevent such accidents.

If you would like to talk to one of our specialist advisors because you’ve been hurt in a motorbike accident, please call our team on 0800 6524 881.