Riding a motorcycle offers a sense of freedom that few other forms of transportation can match. However, motorcycles also provide far less physical protection than passenger vehicles, which means even a seemingly minor collision can have serious consequences.
Motorcycle safety is not only about riding experience. Developing consistent habits, staying visible, anticipating the actions of other road users, and paying attention to changing road conditions can all help reduce the risk of a crash.
Here are several simple habits every motorcyclist should consider before and during each ride.
In This Article
- 1. Make Yourself as Visible as Possible
- 2. Pay Extra Attention at Intersections
- 3. Leave Yourself Enough Space to React
- 4. Wear Proper Protective Gear
- 5. Watch the Road Surface, Not Just Traffic
- 6. Be Particularly Careful Around Parked Cars
- 7. Treat Lane Splitting With Caution
- 8. Never Ride Distracted or Impaired
- Safer Riding Starts With Consistent Habits
1. Make Yourself as Visible as Possible
One of the biggest challenges motorcyclists face is simply being seen.
Because motorcycles are smaller than cars, they can easily disappear into a driver's blind spot. Collisions may occur when drivers change lanes without noticing a motorcycle beside them.
Riders should avoid remaining in vehicle blind spots whenever possible and choose lane positions that improve visibility. Using headlights, signaling intentions early, and maintaining enough space from surrounding vehicles can also make it easier for other drivers to recognize your presence.
Never assume a driver has seen you simply because you can see their vehicle.
2. Pay Extra Attention at Intersections
Intersections deserve particular attention from motorcyclists.
One type of motorcycle collision handled by personal injury attorneys involves drivers making left turns without seeing an approaching motorcycle.
When approaching an intersection, riders should therefore watch carefully for vehicles waiting to turn, reducing speed when conditions require it and preparing to react if another driver unexpectedly enters their path.
Defensive riding means anticipating mistakes before they happen rather than relying exclusively on other drivers to react correctly.
3. Leave Yourself Enough Space to React
Following another vehicle too closely limits your options if traffic suddenly slows or stops.
Maintaining adequate distance gives you additional time to recognize hazards and take appropriate action. It also provides more space to avoid road debris, potholes, uneven pavement, or other unexpected obstacles.
A good riding position should provide both visibility and an escape route if traffic conditions suddenly change.
Serious motorcycle accidents can involve anything from rear-end collisions and unsafe lane changes to road hazards and intersection crashes.
4. Wear Proper Protective Gear
Protective equipment cannot prevent every injury, but it provides an important layer of protection if a collision occurs.
California requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets that comply with U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards. Riders should also make sure their helmet fits properly, is securely fastened, and has no obvious damage.
Additional protective clothing can help protect the body from pavement, debris, weather conditions, and other hazards. Eye or face protection can also improve comfort and visibility by shielding riders from wind, dirt, insects, and small debris.
Safety equipment should become part of every ride, regardless of how short the trip may be.
5. Watch the Road Surface, Not Just Traffic
Motorcyclists need to pay attention to hazards that may have a much smaller effect on passenger vehicles.
Potholes, loose debris, uneven pavement, oil, gravel, and other poor road conditions can create dangerous situations for motorcycles.
Looking farther ahead gives riders more time to identify these problems and adjust speed or lane position gradually rather than making sudden movements.
This is another reason maintaining sufficient space around the motorcycle is so important.
6. Be Particularly Careful Around Parked Cars
A parked vehicle may appear harmless, but an opening door can suddenly block a motorcyclist's path.
So-called “dooring” accidents occur when someone opens a vehicle door into the path of an approaching motorcycle.
When riding alongside parked vehicles, watch for signs that someone may be inside and leave enough space whenever possible. The extra distance may provide valuable reaction time if a door suddenly opens.
7. Treat Lane Splitting With Caution
Lane splitting is legally recognized in California, but legality does not eliminate risk.
Motorcyclists riding between lanes may encounter drivers making sudden lane changes, vehicles moving unexpectedly, or doors opening into their path.
Anyone choosing to lane split should remain alert to traffic movement and avoid assuming surrounding drivers know the motorcycle is approaching.
The goal should always be maintaining enough time and space to respond safely.
8. Never Ride Distracted or Impaired
Motorcycling requires constant attention.
A rider must monitor surrounding vehicles, traffic signals, road surfaces, pedestrians, and possible escape routes simultaneously. Anything that reduces concentration or reaction time can make riding considerably more dangerous.
Avoid using a phone or allowing other distractions to take attention away from the road. Riders should also never operate a motorcycle while impaired by alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
Safer Riding Starts With Consistent Habits
No rider can control everything that happens on the road. Drivers may fail to check blind spots, make unsafe turns, open doors unexpectedly, or make other mistakes.
What riders can control is how prepared they are to react.
Staying visible, wearing appropriate protective equipment, maintaining space, watching intersections and road conditions, and anticipating the actions of other road users can help reduce unnecessary risks.
Unfortunately, even careful riders may still be injured because of another person's actions. When a serious motorcycle collision occurs, understanding what happened and knowing your rights can become an important part of the recovery process.
Resources from experienced California personal injury attorneys can also help injured riders better understand the legal options that may be available after a serious collision.
