Safety should of course be of the utmost importance for any road user. Motorbike riders are however particularly vulnerable. In fact, according to the British Motorcyclists Federation, despite accounting for just 1% of road users, motorcyclists make up 20% of road fatalities.

There are several steps you can take to lower your risk as a motorcycle rider. Whether you’re taking on a journey long or short, keeping the following tips in mind will ensure every ride you take is safe and fun.

Protect your head

Wearing a helmet is not only a legal requirement, it’s a safety essential. Head injuries are a leading cause of motorbike fatalities, so it’s well worth investing in a good quality helmet. Your helmet should ideally be an approved design to ensure it delivers a high standard of protection.

The fit should also be just right. Your helmet should provide a comfortable fit that’s not too tight or too loose, whilst covering the majority of your head without obscuring vision.

Take care with passengers

If you carry a passenger, educating them on motorbike safety is just as important. Make sure they have all the correct protective clothing and remember, practice makes perfect.

Carrying a passenger can feel a lot different than riding solo. The extra weight can affect how the bike rides and feels as well as impact how you handle certain manoeuvres. Practice on a car park before you hit the open road to ensure optimum safety for you both.

Consider the weather

Road conditions can have a major impact on your safety as a motorbike rider. Unlike in a car, you don’t have features like windscreen wipers to ensure good visibility in harsher, wetter weather.

Check the weather before you leave, avoiding riding in heavy rain, ice or snow. When riding, be extra cautious. Go slowly and allow extra time and space for coming to a halt.

Give yourself space

Allowing extra time and space isn’t just important in adverse weather conditions. As motorbikes are lighter, smaller and more agile, you may think they need less space to slow, stop and manoeuvre. Get to know your bike by practicing in a safe place to discover how much space and time you need to ride safely.

The safety of you and your bike is important to us. Discover more about our motorbike storage services for optimum safety when your bike isn’t in use.