by Paul Oranika

Created on: December 25, 2008   Last Updated: March 29, 2012

Motorcycle riders could significantly improve their safety through defensive driving methods. This article will review some of the most important safe riding techniques tailored specifically to the bike rider. Some of these safety issues are as old as the evolution of motorcycle itself. The first issue relates to using appropriate motorcycle gear, included in this category are Helmets, Eye Goggles, and appropriate Clothing. There is no doubt that the head helmet continues to save many lives of motorcycle riders involved in an accident. The importance of the head helmet for the rider could not be underestimated, it is the only gear that prevents the head from striking the coal tar pavement; the same way the leather-wear reduces injuries to the body of the rider involved in an accident. Wearing leather clothes serves to reduce injury to the skin and body often forced to role over on the concrete roadway after an accident. It is unthinkable that any motorcycle rider would avoid wearing protective goggles to shield the eye from flying objects and tiny debris, dust and particles, which could damage the cornea of the eye.

Another defensive driving safety issue for motorcyclists could be classified as safety techniques while the motorcycle is in motion. Excessive speeding should be avoided at all times; the motorcyclist should strive to obey speed limits bearing in mind that unlike motor vehicles, nearly all motorcycle accidents end up with injuries to the rider. Obeying all motorcycle laws and ordinances could drastically reduce motorcycle accidents. Many motorcycle state laws such as in North Carolina now mandates that "motorcyclists are entitled to full usage of a lane, meaning that other vehicles should not be operated in such a way to deprive the motorcyclist from full usage of the regular lanes, the same ordinance also dictates that " Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane."  Most of the accidents between motorcyclists and vehicles occur because of the small size of motorcycles, often too small to be easily seen by the drivers of other vehicles. To increase their safety on the road, motorcyclist must be vigilant at all times, and scanning ahead and their immediate vicinity for often changing road conditions and traffic.

To enhance the safety of motorcyclists, many courses are offered for both new motorcyclists and the experienced ones. These courses cover many safe-riding techniques such as Survival Space, Visibility/Communication,

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