Top Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

While it may be tempting to wear a t-shirt and flip flops while going out for a ride in the summer, it won’t protect you if you are involved in an accident and you are literally sliding along the carriageway! There is a reason most bikers will wear leather or heavy jackets – they are simply better at protecting you should you fall off. Always dress suitably for your journey and wear protective clothing on everything you want to protect

Always remain aware of everything going on around you. While you might think it's great to listen to your favourite music while riding, it can also stop you hearing important things, like other vehicles. You may feel like you are king of the road, but motorbikes can be difficult for other road users to see, especially HGVs, so you should always pay attention to your driving.

It’s always sensible to check your tyres, oil, lights, mirrors etc. before you make a journey. If any of them were faulty, you could not only be breaking the law, but also putting yourself and others at risk. In the event of an accident, you could be in legal trouble if your vehicle is found to be in any way defective.

It’s a legal requirement to complete your Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) before setting out on your motorbike for the first time. You should also consider taking an Advanced course too, such as RoSPA’s Advanced Motorcycle Training course, The Institute for Advanced Motoring course or the UK Government’s Enhanced Rider Scheme.  Motorbikes are powerful machines to handle, so the more skilled you are, the better your riding skills will be.

This will help you to plan for hazards, rather than reacting to them as they happen. This is something even more experienced riders sometimes forget to do. Looking and thinking ahead could really help you to avoid an accident.

It's always important to check your mirrors when driving and manoeuvring, but also remember they won’t always tell the full story. A quick look over your shoulder can help you spot other vehicles who may be in your blind spot.

Wet and icy roads will be slippery, as well as sand-covered roads. Always be aware of your surroundings and remember riding a motorbike is hugely different to driving a car. While your stopping distance may be shorter, there is also an increased risk of you skidding.