May, 2025 Safety Topic
Overall Safety Tips
- Gear up
Use helmet and eye protections
Protective clothing - leather is preferable over denim or other cloth. Wear pants with armor knee and buttocks protection. Gloves with armor padding on palms and knuckles. Wear over ankle boots. - Inspect your bike. Previously covered topic.
- Ride defensively
Avoid aggressive riding styles.
Head on a swivel. Be aware of your surroundings. Also covered in a previous topic.
Assume you are invisible. Drivers just don't see bikers.
Maintain safe distances behind other vehicles or riders.
If riding in a group be sure to stagger and maintain a constant and steady speed. It is very dangerous to keep changing your cruise speed while on a group ride. Plus, it is annoying to those behind you. - Obey traffic laws.
Use your signals.
Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder before changing lanes or merging into traffic. Don't assume the bike in front of you checked for you. Ride your own ride.
When starting a group ride, riders should all know where the rest stops will be and what the group cruise speed will be. - Stay alert and focused.
Avoid impairments.
If a rider stops for any reason, the entire group should also stop. (I have seen riders left behind on three different occasions and I have only been with the organization less than a year). - Consider environmental factors.
Weather - adjusted accordingly
Avoid potholes, debris, etc. Lead rider should use hand signals to alert others of hazards. - Take a course or a refresher course.
No matter your experience level or your knowledge, it is a good idea to brush up on your skills. Over time we can develop bad habits without realizing it. In fact, if you think this doesn't apply to you it is probably specifically for you. I have gone to refresher courses and have had things pointed out to me that I knew, thought I did, but wasn't actually doing. It helps. - Carry a first aid kit in case of accident
Use your headlights at all times.
Above all, enjoy a safer riding experience. Remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.
