Motorcycling is inherently dangerous, even for experienced motorcyclists. There’s something vague about sitting astride a steel beast and speeding down the highway mostly unprotected amid large cars, vans, SUVs and semi-trucks. In 2023, more than 15% of traffic fatalities in the United States were motorcyclists, even though motorcycles made up only 3% of registered vehicles. NHTSA found that same year that you were 28 times more likely to die in a crash if you rode a motorcycle than if you drove a passenger car.
It’s even worse for new riders. According to a 1990 study of motorcyclists’ driving records in Pennsylvania, accident rates for inexperienced motorcyclists were two to four times higher than those of experienced motorcyclists. Some of that can be attributed to age (the newer riders who crashed a lot in the Pennsylvania data tended to be under 22), but newer riders tend to make several mistakes that experienced riders don’t. For example, many new riders start riding bikes that are too powerful or too heavy for them. New riders often forget that drivers don’t see motorcyclists. New drivers sometimes fixate too much on dangers visually. They don’t wear helmets, despite all the data showing that helmets save lives. And many don’t bother to get safety training before driving.
Mistakes are made in every hobby and activity, from computer programming to embroidery. However, when it comes to motorcycle riding, rookie mistakes can be fatal. Hopefully, with practice and experience, fewer of these mistakes will be made, and many of them can be avoided with a little training.
Forget looking cool, just wear the gear
Some new riders believe that a helmet obscures peripheral vision and prevents you from hearing important sounds – sounds you may need to respond to on the bike. Most modern helmets are made with wraparound visors that allow you to see back and forth without any problems. The sounds that are filtered out are usually unimportant sounds, such as wind noise. You should still be able to hear sirens, horns and screeching brakes. And when it comes to helmets, those small potential benefits don’t outweigh the risks.
In states that do not require riders to wear helmets, 55% of riders killed in accidents in 2021 were not wearing helmets. In states that have laws requiring helmets, that percentage was only 9%. The importance of wearing a helmet cannot be overstated. It’s not just your helmet you need to wear. Wear a leather or textile jacket designed for driving, equipped with armor if possible. Don’t forget your gloves, motorcycle pants or boots (there are many great motorcycle boots that can also be worn off the bike). The right clothing can prevent you from getting seriously mauled by the pavement.
You have to walk before you run. Start with a smaller bike
Bikes with that kind of speed are commonly known as superbikes, or “supersport bikes,” as the IIHS calls them. According to the Insurance Institute for Road Safetythe death rates on superbikes were 4 times as high as death rates on other types of motorcycles. The IIHS defines supersport motorcycles as “consumer versions of the motorcycles used by factory racing teams and using racing specifications as a benchmark for design.” We don’t mean to mention superbikes, but the effortless speed they produce can be much more dangerous than regular motorcycles. These superbikes are often attractive, but offer far too much power for beginners. We recommend starting with a bike that is much cheaper, more powerful, and much more manageable, even if you don’t think it looks as cool.
Weight is another factor. That 700-pound pig at the Harley-Davidson dealer looks pretty cool, but heavier bikes are harder to maneuver, especially in tight turns. They are especially troublesome at low speeds and can be harder to keep afloat if you don’t depress the clutch properly or apply the right amount of gas. If you start riding with a bike that is light enough to maneuver with confidence, you can have those skills as you work your way up to the heavier bikes.
Stop assuming that other drivers see or even look at you
With that assumption, there are also several things you can do to make yourself more visible. Brightly colored clothing and a hard hat are a good start. Make sure you always walk with your headlights on, whether it’s dark or not. Turn on your running lights if you have them. If you don’t have these, consider purchasing aftermarket daytime running lights on your motorcycle. Your lane position is also important. The right third of the lane puts you in the blind spot of many drivers. Not only that, but it can be slippery than the rest of the track due to oil residue. The left position in a lane makes you much more visible to other vehicles and you are less likely to drive over debris. Use your motorcycle horn liberally, even if it’s just to make drivers around you more aware of your presence. It may annoy other drivers occasionally, but that’s better than general invisibility.
Focus on where you need to go, not on the hole
It is also important to prevent your field of view from being too narrow. While driving, you want to concentrate on where you want to go, but without shutting out your surroundings. Even if you’re riding in a straight line, it’s a good idea to check your mirrors regularly and look at both sides of your motorcycle. Keeping your eyes moving helps you see obstacles such as potholes, recognize the other vehicles around you and reduce fatigue.
A strong strategy is to visualize a 360-degree panoramic view of what’s happening around you so that you have predetermined escape routes if something happens. If you know that there is a car hanging to your left and a hole appears in front of you, you can use that knowledge to veer right around the hole instead of turning left into the car. A strong sense of situational awareness on your motorcycle can be the difference between life and death.
Learn from the experts
In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report by Professor Harry Hurt called The pain report. This report studied motorcycle accidents for several years and has been quite influential in the world of motorcycle safety. The study showed, among other things, that 92% of motorcyclists involved in motorcycle accidents were self-taught. Motorcyclist errors were the “causative factor” in two-thirds of the single-rider crashes studied.
These aren’t the only mistakes new riders make. Many new riders take on passengers or challenging roads and conditions long before they are ready. Many new riders rely too much on the front or rear brake. Some slow down so much when making turns, resulting in loss of balance and eventually falling over. Neglecting important maintenance is another rookie mistake that can leave new riders stranded. What should a new rider do? We recommend that you take a rider safety course such as that offered by Harley-Davidson or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Mistakes can’t be completely avoided, but education can go a long way, and there are real benefits to building good habits early.
#Unfortunate #Mistakes #Motorcyclists #Jalopnik