Helpful Safety Tips During Motorcycle Rallies
Motorcycle rallies are enjoyable, but they can also be dangerous. Keep that in mind if you plan to participate in such rallies. Use the following tips to reduce your risk of a crash.
Plan
Don’t just show up at the rally if you plan to ride. Meet with your riding friends and plan your day. During the meeting, you can:
- Go over the route
- Specify meeting points
- Agree on hand signals
- Select lead and sweep riders
The idea is to avoid surprises that increase the risk of accidents.
Ride in Small Groups
Riding in big groups increases the risk of crashes. Say you have a tight group of twenty riders and one of them crashes into a ditch. If the other riders were too close to the fallen rider, you risk having multiple crashes. If you have a big group, divide it into smaller and manageable ones.
Stay in Formation
Riding in formation is safer than letting everyone chose their riding position. A staggered formation, for example, allows riders to react to emergencies without putting other riders in danger.
Although a staggered formation is a norm, some situations are better suited to single file formations. For example, a single-line formation is ideal on a winding road or with poor visibility. In such conditions, a single-line formation allows you to leave room for other road users who might not see you in time.
Ride Safe Bikes
Ensure your bike is mechanically sound, whether it is a conventional or classic ride. Some parts of concern include the:
- Brake system
- Lights
- Tires
Check your bike at least a day before the rally to avoid surprises.
Don’t Drink and Ride
Rally organizers mean them to be fun, which means food and alcohol are usually in plenty. Unfortunately, alcohol and riding don’t mix well. Alcohol intoxication:
- Impairs judgment
- Reduces reaction time
- Impairs vision
- Impairs sense of balance
Make a conscious and intentional decision not to drink and ride.
Take Extra Care With Unfamiliar Routes
Unfamiliar routes tend to be more dangerous than familiar routes. For example, when riding in an unfamiliar route, you might not:
- Have a good idea of the expected traffic
- Know the dangerous sections of the road
- Know the status of the road, such as if it has potholes
Be extra careful on unfamiliar roads. Scan the road ahead to identify potential dangers. Keep to a reasonable speed to stop in case of an emergency.
Know Your Limits
A typical group of riders has individual riders with different skills and experiences. Understand your limits and stick to them. Don’t attempt things, such as stunts, just because other riders do them. Don’t take corners at high speeds beyond your skillsets. In short, maintain your individualism within the group.
Wear Protective Gear
The above tips reduce your risk of crashing, but you cannot eliminate the risk. Factors outside your control, such as other road users or the weather, can still cause an accident. Thus, you must wear relevant protective gear to reduce the extent of injuries in case of an accident. Relevant protective gear includes:
- A helmet
- Riding boots
- Gloves
- A riding jacket
- Long pants
Some of the protective gear also reduce your risk of an accident. For example, a good helmet will keep the wind and flying debris out of your eyes so that you can focus on the road.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you stay safe and enjoy rallies to the safest. However, don’t forget that you may be entitled to compensation if you fall victim to an accident. Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney will evaluate your injuries and help you pursue your damages. Contact us for a free initial consultation on your motorcycle accident.