ELITE MOTORCYCLE TRAINING’S SAFETY TIPS

Make eye contact – never assume others see you. Always try to make eye contact with drivers who may be about to pull into your path. Read “vehicle language” – even when drivers, cyclists and pedestrians do see you approaching, they often misjudge your distance and speed. Don’t rely on them. Watch out for right-turning vehicles at intersections – getting hit by an oncoming vehicle that’s turning right is the most common type of motorcycle crash. Check behind when turning left from a highway – watch your mirrors and make sure you have plenty of space behind. The drivers behind might not slow down for you. Look out for hazardous road conditions – wet roads, fluid spills, sand, gravel, highway sealant, railroad tracks, potholes and other road-surface hazards reduce your traction. They cause many falls. Take it easy on the curves – many crashes happen there. Assess your approach speed, road conditions, lane position. Don’t outride your line of sight. Watch the road ahead, slow down and choose the correct lane position – before entering a curve. Wear a good helmet – Helmets prevent head injuries in 70 per cent of crashes and deaths in 30 percent. They’re also mandatory in Australia. Make sure your helmet has a sticker showing that it meets current safety standards. Avoid buying a used helmet. It may have been in a crash, and the damage may not be obvious. Wear protective clothing designed for motorcycle riders – it can provide some protection during a crash, as well as shield you from the weather and flying debris. Keeping warm and dry will help you stay alert and maintain coordination. Wear your riding gear in layers so you can adjust to changing conditions. Jeans give little protection. Never ride in lightweight pants or shorts. Protect your eyes and face – constant wind can make your eyes water, preventing you from spotting hazards. Flying insects, dust and debris can hurt your eyes and face. The best protection is a full-face helmet with a built-in face shield. Be visible – Wear bright, reflective clothing. Add extra reflective material to it or wear a reflective vest. Likewise, buy a bright-coloured helmet and stick reflective tape to the back and sides. Always keep your headlight on. Ride in the lane position where other drivers can easily see you and you’ve got room to move. Avoid all other vehicles’ blind spots. Ride with confidence – Ride your own ride and don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Be assertive; make sure that others know you are there. Make sure you have the skills you need to be doing the riding you’re doing. Always have a contingency plan to escape from a dangerous situation – Be alert to your surroundings, other vehicles and have a back up in place should the unexpected occur. Discuss your riding plan with others when riding with anyone else – Agree on your formation, speed, distances, communication, contingency plans. Assess and understand the skill levels of others in the group.