As the days get longer and the temperatures become warmer, motorcyclists often begin to ride their bikes more often. This convenient and inexpensive form of transportation can be beneficial to people who are traveling to and from school and work on a daily basis. However, the dangers of riding on a motorcycle are great, as a number of motorists are not familiar with navigating around these small vehicles. Some motorists may not see motorcyclists hiding within traffic or are going too fast to yield or stop for them. There are some steps that motorcyclists can take to minimize their risk of becoming injured or killed in a tragic accident.
Motorcyclists should consider buying a bike that has antilock brakes. Antilock brakes ensure the wheels of the bike do not lock up, preventing skids and other potential falls. Studies show that bikes with this safety feature reduce the risk of fatal accidents by 31 percent, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Motorcyclists should also wear helmets at all times while traveling alongside motor vehicles. Maryland has a universal helmet law, which requires motorcyclists to have a helmet on while riding. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of death in an accident by 37 percent, and lowers the risk of head injuries by 69 percent. In fact, riders that do not wear helmets are three times more likely to die in an accident than those who do wear helmets.
Finally, motorcyclists should always remain extremely cautious of the people driving around them. They should always be ready to react to a dangerous situation.
