Responsible Motorcycling

If we all looked daily at statistics for fatal motorcycling, none of us would ride. It’s scary. For this article I went out to the National Transportation Department’s web site to find out what is going on in the motorcycle world of accidents. I was shocked.  Fatalities are up. Brain injuries are up. Crashes are up. Drunk driving is up. Okay, I thought, more people are on the road now than ever before riding and driving motorcycles.  Surely this accounts for these statistics.

The more I read and the more information I gathered, I came to realize a few things. No matter how many people are riding, if we all practiced safe riding at posted speeds, left all the tricks at home, paid attention to what we are doing, and left the beers off, we might make it back home alive today.

Here are a few tips for a safer ride: Protect yourself. Wear a Dot or Snell helmet. See our website www.agelessparlor.com for some of the safest, well constructed helmets on the market today at a price you can afford. Wear Gloves. Wear a quality leather jacket and chaps set. You can find top of the line leather at www.agelessleather.com 

Practice good safe driving habits. Drive the speed limit or under. Avoid weaving in and out of traffic. Don’t race to catch up with the group.  No wheelies on the highway. Don’t Drink and drive. According t o the statistics 8 of every 10 motorcycle wrecks involve alcohol. A sign I remember from my teenage year’s sticks in my mind. Don’t drink and drive, drink milk and Stay alive. Now, I opt for coffee or soda when driving. I have plenty of time to drink with my friends of I want to, when I get where I am going.

Keep Your bike in Good Repair. Listen to your bike. The sound of the bike should be consistent. Any changes need to be checked out by a qualified mechanic. It could save your life. Check Tire Tread.  Tire Tread should be checked regularly. One of the best ways to avoid a serious wipe-out, especially in the rain is to have good tread on your tires. Check your air pressure before you ride.  Buy quality tires.  Your life depends on them. Make sure your lights and turn signals are working before each ride. Get out of bad weather.  Protect yourself and your bike from the rain sleet or snow as soon as you can safely. Rain, sleet, snow, icy slick roads, lightning strikes, high winds should be avoided whenever possible. Take a few minutes for a coffee break and get out of the weather. Don’t ride unless you have to in hazard conditions. Ride smart.

Be a courteous Driver.  Just because you can get in small tight places, don’t. That little spot you see in front of the semi may just get you crushed under his wheel.  Squeezing in between two lanes of traffic may just make you the next fatality. Standing on your bike to see what is over the horizon just may cause you to lose control and go down the embankment, distract other drivers who just have to watch to see if you are going to kill yourself, and end up killing you or them. Don’t try this unless you are riding in the circus arena and it’s your act.

Be a responsible driver and you will not be the next statistic. You will arrive home alive with a great ride and adventure under your belt. When you get home, turn on the computer and check out our new website, www.helmetsforfun.com  There,  you will find some of the latest designs and some old favorites in helmet brands you recognize. You deserve something new.