10 Tips to Stay Safe on Your Bike Without Sacrificing Your Style

1. 10 Tips to Stay Safe on Your Bike Without Sacrificing Your Style Riding a motorcycle is pretty awesome. Riding not only can feel great--there’s nothing like the wind in your hair and the sun at your back on the open road--but it pretty much automatically earns you the reputation as a cool cat. However, the most experienced and well-regarded motorcyclists know that as sweet as riding can be, it can also be dangerous. In order to keep you safe, consider these 10 tips for staying safe on your bike without sacrificing your style. And, if you have additional questions, be sure to read this post ​which mentions a Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer for more information​, and watch ​that same attorney’s video about motorcycle accident prevention​ to help keep you safe in the future. 1. Never Ride Without a Helmet Perhaps even more important than ensuring you have boots, gloves, and clothing that covers your arms and legs is wearing a Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet. Motorcycle helmets save lives, plain and simple. DOT-approved helmets are those helmets that meet federal standards. Not only should you check for the DOT sticker when you purchase your helmet, but ​you should also

2. look for​ a thick inner layer, sturdy chin straps and rivets, the right helmet weight (DOT-approved helmets usually weigh about three pounds), and a safe design and style of the helmet. A helmet can save your life and be used to show off your style, so long as it’s DOT-approved. 2. Wear the Right Gear Not only can wearing the right gear and clothing for riding help to keep you safe, but doing so is also a way for you to show off your personal style, too. Critical gear that you shouldn’t skimp on includes gloves, the right boots with nonskid soles, and long pants and long sleeves. Preferably, leather is a great choice for protection. Leather not only looks cool, but can also reduce the risk of certain injuries--like road rash--in the event of a crash. Also remember to get gear that fits you well. Gear that is too loose or has loose or dangling elements could result in clothing getting caught on part of your motorcycle mid-ride, increasing the risk of an accident. 3. Make Your Bike (and Yourself) More Visible Many motorcycle accidents occur simply because a driver of a motor vehicle fails to see a motorcycle. You can improve your chances of being seen and decrease your risk of being hit by making sure that you’re as visible as possible. One way to do this is to wear bright colors and patterns that are attractive to the eye - for example, bright yellow or fluorescent green will be hard to miss. You can also make yourself, your motorcycle, or both more visible by attaching reflective tape to your clothing or your motorcycle. Wearing a reflective vest, a bright-colored helmet, or putting reflective tape on your helmet are all helpful tricks for improving visibility, too. 4. Show Off Your (Safe) Riding Skills Those motorcyclists who are the most stylish, as well as the most respected while riding solo or in a group, are those riders who demonstrate safe riding skills rather than trying to be hotshots. Things

3. like speeding, swerving in and out of traffic, and lane-splitting probably won’t make you any friends amongst other motorcyclists and drivers on the road, but the real concern is that these behaviors can be incredibly dangerous. The best way to stay safe and make a good impression is to follow all posted traffic laws, keep a safe following distance, take turns slowly, and overall ride defensively. Nothing’s more important than your safety when riding. 5. Stay Sober There’s nothing cool or stylish about getting on your motorcycle after you’ve had too much to drink. Not only is this setting a bad example and putting others on the road at risk, but if you ride while impaired, you’re taking your own life in your hands, too. While the legal limit may be .08 percent blood alcohol content, it’s best to ride when you are completely sober. Even having one or two drinks could be too much for some people, leading to distracted or reckless behavior or a slowed reaction time. If you’ve had something to drink, find an alternative way home, such as calling a taxi or rideshare, a friend, or a family member. Simply drinking water to “sober up” isn’t the solution. 6. Ride With Other Experienced Riders One thing that’s great about motorcycle riding is that it can be a very social experience. However, while group riding can be fun, it can also be dangerous, too, especially if there are a lot of inexperienced riders in the pack. One way that you can strengthen your friendships and learn more about safe riding is to ride with other experienced riders, both one-on-one/side-by-side and in a group setting. You can learn a lot from other experienced riders that may not be taught in a safety course. Keep in mind that it’s not ​just​ about riding with other experienced riders, but also riding with those who you know and trust. The last thing that you want to do is attempt to learn from someone who’s reckless, intoxicated, or is doing something else that makes you feel uncomfortable. 7. Make Your Ride About You

4. While there is a lot to learn from group riding and riding with another partner, remember: your ride is about you. This means that you should always ride to your ability level, and if that means falling back, that’s what it means. No one will think less of you for the fact that you recognized your limitations and decided to do what was safe and best for you; rather, the opposite is true - you’ll likely be more respected by other motorcyclists you know. Go at your own speed, take breaks when needed, and don’t feel pressured to keep up or engage in behaviors that you’re uncomfortable with--like lane-splitting--even if others in your group are doing it. 8. Choose the Right Bike There are dozens of brands, styles, and sizes of motorcycles to choose from. While you may be tempted to buy something that’s super cool, fast, or stylish, the best--and safest--thing that you can do is to buy a bike that is the right size for you and isn’t too much for you to handle. ​A bike that’s right for you will: ● Be the right weight - if it feels too heavy for you, it likely is; ● Be easy for you to mount and dismount without complication; ● Allow you to rest both feet flat on the ground while seated; and ● Allow you to reach the handlebars and controls easily. In addition to considering the above size considerations, think about what you’ll primarily be using your bike for. Smaller models are often great for commuting, as well as for new riders. A slightly larger bike may be better for highway riding, as a larger engine will allow you to more easily keep up with traffic. 9. Ride When the Sun’s Out You may not be able to control the weather, and you may even think that there’s something hardy and admirable about being able to tough out the worst of conditions, but the safest thing that you can do is to ride when the weather is nice out. Rain can impair visibility, making it harder for other drivers on the road, to see you, and can also increase the risk of slipping out when making a turn or hydroplaning. And while snow is very rare in Vegas, if it does get cold enough for this form of precipitation, refrain from riding - even if you feel comfortable, other drivers around town likely won’t be experienced in driving in the snow, putting everyone at risk. And it’s not just about riding when the weather’s nice, but also when there is plenty of lighting, too. Riding at night is riskier because visibility is impaired. If you are planning a night ride, be sure that your bike is fully equipped with required lighting, and that you’re wearing bright colors or reflective tape so that drivers can see you. 10. Put Away Distractions

5. Last but not least on the list of tips to stay safe on your bike without sacrificing your style is a reminder to always, always put distractions away when you’re riding your motorcycle. There is nothing​ stylish or cool about texting while riding, eating or drinking while riding, using a handheld device to look at maps or check your email while riding, etc. If you do need to make a call, check your map, or have a snack, ​pull your motorcycle over to a safe location​ and complete the task while you are safely stopped. Taking your eyes off the road for even a brief moment can have disastrous consequences - an accident can happen in the blink of an eye! We hope that you’re always safe while riding. If you need a refresher, be sure to take a motorcycle safety course before hopping on your bike. And remember to always wear the right gear and a helmet, practice the safe riding skills you’ve learned, stay sober, ride to your ability level, ride the right bike for you, learn from other experienced riders, ride when conditions are ideal (especially if you’re a new rider), and always put distractions away!