Top Ten Safe Riding Strategies
By: Len B. (Host and founder of the Arrive Alive Podcast)
Read before getting on your Riders Share Motorcycle.
10. Wear Proper and High-Visible Gear: Wear all the gear you can—jacket, helmet, over-the-ankle boots. At a minimum, wear some good gloves, as most of the time, you’ll reach out to try and break a fall, and this is where gloves can help. If you will be riding at night, get some reflective tape and put it on your jacket and legs, or for $20, you can get a reflective vest at any hardware store.
9. Stay Hydrated! You won’t see this one on many MC safety lists, but it is very important. Riding a motorcycle speeds up dehydration, and when you are dehydrated, your cognitive skills are reduced, and fatigue sets in sooner. Have some water or tea before you ride and drink before you are thirsty. (Thanks Alisa Clickenger!)
8. Watch For Deer. Rudolf may be cute, but he can be dangerous if you crash into him! Deer are most active at dawn and dusk when they are looking for food or a mating partner so pay extra attention and slow down during those times! When approaching a deer-crossing signs, be alert and prepared to stop!
7. Imagine You are in a Bubble: Your bubble is your safe area of a bike length or two that separates you from everyone else. Having a “bubble” can mean slowing down or speeding up judiciously to maintain space between you and traffic. Having a bubble makes you more visible and gives you more escape options.
6. You are invisible! Ride like no one sees or hears you! Always assume that other drivers cannot see you and be prepared to react accordingly. Maintain a safe following distance and constantly scan for potential hazards.
5. Riding in the Rain: (a) if you have rain gear put it on BEFORE it starts raining.
When riding on the highway, try keeping your tires in the path of car tires ahead of you, as this path will be drier than the middle of the land. RIDE SLOW, and all breaking should be deliberate and smooth. Pump or pulsate brakes if you are on a bike without ABS.
4. Use Loud Pipes If your riders-share bike has loud pipes use them to be noticed! This goes against popular belief but the more we are seen and heard the better.
3. Do not use a phone mounted to handlebars. As a rider, you want zero distractions. A phone on your handlebars is a distraction! Use headphones for turn-by-turn directions. Having your phone on you will allow you to call for help in a crash. If the phone is on your handlebars and the bike is 50 yards away -you’re in trouble!
2. Avoid Road Rage: During your pre-ride check or just as you are putting on gear, imagine that someone will cut you off or otherwise do something that will put you in danger. Getting angry and full of rage will only make you more suspectable to another accident as your concentration will be compromised.
1. NO DRINKING for four hours before a ride. And if you stop at a bar during a ride, choose a non-alcohol beer or soft drink. One drink can make you more apt to have a crash. It’s not worth it.
This Top Ten List was written for our friends at Riders-Share to provide to their customers who will be riding a "new to them" bike in the near future.
These tips are universal but in no way represent all good, safe riding tips.
Have a tip you want to share? Send us an email at arrivealivepodcast at gmail.com
