As featured in my recent interview on Dayton 24/7 Now with Alex King, motorcycle safety is more crucial than ever as we head into riding season.
With motorcycles becoming increasingly popular and warmer weather bringing more riders to the road, it’s essential that both motorcyclists and drivers understand how to keep everyone safe.
In this article, I’ll share the key insights from my television appearance, covering why motorcycling has become so popular, essential safety tips for car drivers to watch for motorcyclists, the critical protective gear every rider needs, the importance of proper training, and exciting new safety technologies that are helping keep riders safer than ever before.
Table of Contents
Interview
Watch my complete interview on Dayton 24/7 Now where I discussed essential motorcycle safety tips for both riders and drivers.
In this segment with Alex King, we covered everything from proper safety gear to the latest technologies keeping motorcyclists safer on the road.
Growing Popularity
Motorcycles are such a great way to get around.
They’re small, they’re fuel-efficient, they’re a lot of fun, and they offer this sense of freedom. So people really love enjoying riding.
This combination of practical and emotional benefits is driving more people to motorcycling than ever before.
That sense of freedom you get on a motorcycle is unlike anything else. There’s an immediate connection to your surroundings, the open air, and the road that you simply can’t get in a car. It’s this emotional connection that transforms a simple commute into an enjoyable experience, making people fall in love with riding.
Whether it’s the weekend warrior looking for adventure or the daily commuter seeking a more engaging way to travel, motorcycles offer something for everyone.
Driver Tips
A lot of car drivers don’t realize how quickly a motorcyclist can disappear in their blind spot. So while a lot of cars do have blind spot detectors, you can’t rely on them because they don’t always pick up a motorcyclist. We just have a much smaller profile.
Key safety practices:
- Double-check your blind spots, look twice, check your mirrors, and actually turn your head and look before you merge or turn.
- Don’t drive distracted – put those phones down.
- Remember that while driving at 65 miles per hour, you can cover over 100 ft in one second.
- That four to five seconds it takes to send a text message means you would cover more than a football field of space – a lot can happen in that time.
Protective Gear
For motorcycle riders, you always want to make sure you gear up for every ride. Head-to-toe protection is essential.
Essential gear for every ride:
- Helmet: Full-face helmets offer the best protection, check for the Department of Transportation sticker (it means it will meet federal safety standards).
- Mesh jacket: Really great for letting air pass through, but it’s abrasion-resistant material with armor to protect you.
- Full-finger gloves.
- Riding pants.
- Over-the-ankle boots.
Training Matters
Before you go out there and ride, make sure if this is your first time you’re new to riding, go take a class. Formal training is invaluable.
Training options for all skill levels:
- New riders: Take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course (no experience required).
- Experienced riders: Take a refresher course or advanced class to sharpen your skills and brush up on their skills before you need to use them.
Andria's note: Pre-ride preparation is just as important as training. Before you go out and ride, check over your bike. Make sure your air is fueled, you have enough air in your tires, your lights are working, your electronics are working and you have proper fluids because you want to find a problem at home before you're out there on the roads.New Technologies
Modern motorcycle safety has come a long way with innovative protective equipment.
Advanced safety features now available:
- Advanced protective armor integrated into modern riding gear.
- Airbag jackets or vests that use high-tech sensors and algorithms – they can detect before a crash happens and deploy faster than a blink of an eye.
- High-tech abrasion-resistant materials in riding gear – you can actually slide and not go right through the fabric.
Conclusion
Motorcycle safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re a rider or a driver, taking the proper precautions can save lives.
As we discussed during my appearance on Dayton 24/7 Now, awareness and preparation are key to enjoying the freedom of the road safely.
For more information about motorcycle safety courses, gear recommendations, and additional safety resources, visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website at msf-usa.org.
Don’t wait until you’re on the road to think about safety – start preparing today and help make every ride a safe one.
Thanks to Nick Gray, Patron View, and his team for helping me build this site.