Safety Guide

Staying safe on the roads is important for all road users. As a scooter or motorcycle rider you should be especially cautious because you are more vulnerable than other motorists.

Here is our advice for staying safe on the roads:

By law you must wear a helmet when riding a scooter or motorcycle in the UK. Take care when choosing a motorcycle helmet; make sure it is securely fitted and in a bright colour. Be sure to look after your helmet carefully as any damage can reduce its effectiveness in an accident. Before every trip you should make sure your visor is free from dirt or scratches which may impair your vision.

No matter how short the trip, you should always wear sufficient protective clothing. If you have an accident on a bike or scooter, your clothing will be the only layer protecting you from the surface of the road. As a rough guide, the thicker or heavier the clothing is the more protection it is likely to offer; a pair of jeans only offers a tenth of the protection of a good set of leathers. Look out for the CE seal of approval when purchasing protective clothing. 

Many motorcycle related accidents occur when other motorists do not see the rider. For this reason it is advisable to make yourself as visible as possible. Choosing reflective or florescent clothing and always using your dipped headlights will help alert other road users of your presence. 

Whether you have been riding for a month or a decade you should never become complacent when on the road. As a motorcyclist it is vital you remain alert at all times and are constantly anticipating the actions of other road users. This is especially important during bad weather, and at accident hot spots such as junctions and roundabouts.

Riding on two wheels can be especially treacherous in bad weather. If it is wet, foggy or icy you should reduce your speed accordingly. Remember that bad weather often means reduced visibility so you should be extra cautious.

Watch out for the road surface. Uneven surfaces, oil slicks and pot holes present a major hazard for the motorcyclist.

Only overtake if you are sure it is safe to do so; make sure you will not need to swerve or speed up excessively to complete the manoeuvre. 

Avoid tailgating other road users. Not only is this distracting for other motorists, it also makes it difficult for you to stop suddenly should a hazard present itself.

Riding with a passenger can be great fun for both you, but due to the increased responsibility and skill required, you should only take a passenger when you are sufficiently competent and experienced at riding solo.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 3:04 pm and is filed under Training Guides. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.