Yahoo Autos 10 Tips for Safe City Riding
America might be a land filled with motorcycle riders and motorcycle lovers, but it most certainly is not a motorcycle friendly country. Just ask anyone who rides their motorcycle to work on a semi-regular basis and they’ll tell you horror stories not just about bad, rude and dangerous drivers, but also of oblivious pedestrians and cyclists who seem to have a death wish and also appear to have it in for you.
It doesn’t take bravery to ride your motorcycle in the city—it takes superior awareness, brains, an eye for potential hazards (not just obvious ones) and very good riding skills. Even if you put all these components together, there’s virtually no way to avoid at least a small accident, if not a much more serious one.
But there are those who are committed to riding in the city, whether by necessity, for the thrill of it, or both. First of all, if you choose to ride in the city—whether it’s for your daily commute, errands or even just to see the sights—there’s no need to be intimidated, but you do need to think ahead and never stop thinking throughout the ride. We’ve assembled some tips for you to ride smartly and skillfully on the mean streets of your urban jungle.
1. Make Them See You
We get that you like to dress in vintage black leather and denim when you ride your gorgeous café racer, but that’s not a smart way to protect your hide from the oblivious driving masses. Wear bright colors, especially on your helmet and jacket. If you insist on wearing your darker jacket, try a reflective vest over it. This will have you look like a crosswalk guard at an elementary school, but it might just make the difference between life and death.
2. Stay in Open Zones
Two of the advantages of riding a motorcycle are power and control. These are your assets to stay safe, not to go bonkers on the pavement. Take advantage of these by staying out of wolf packs and in the open where you can stay out of blind spots, work your way into gaps, and stay visible rather than remaining trapped in the flow of traffic where oblivious drivers won’t notice you.
3. Scan and then Scan Again
Don’t get mired in just looking straight ahead. Keep your head on a swivel and scan your environment—your mirrors, behind you, your blind spots, etc. It’s all about constant vigilance and total awareness on your ride. Save your gazing for the open road in the scenic countryside where there aren’t pedestrians with a penchant for stupidity or drivers on their smartphones.
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4. Always Look for an Escape
Spend less time admiring the custom paint job on your tank and more time searching for ways out of trouble should trouble come to find you. Take advantage of your motorcycle’s size and nimbleness—relative to hulking cars. Braking hard isn’t always a great solution, especially when you can thread the needle or find an open patch of grass to stay safe instead of mangling yourself and your bike when you don’t have enough room to stop. Constantly look for escape opportunities when you’re both moving and stationary.
