Riding In The City – Motorcycle Safety Tips

1. Keep Your Motorcycle Well-Maintained

• "TCLOCKS" inspection: Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis & Stands.
• Regularly check brakes, tires, lights, and fluid levels.
• Ensure mirrors and controls are properly adjusted.

2. Wear Proper Gear

• Always wear a DOT-approved helmet and proper eye protection.
• Wear gloves, a sturdy jacket, pants, and boots with ankle protection.
• Remember to wear All The Gear All The Time ("ATGATT").
• Wear bright or reflective clothing to increase your visibility.

3. Be Visible

• Consider adding additional reflective tape and lights to your bike.
• Use proper lane positioning:
  • The entire lane is yours – different conditions require lane adjustments to ride in the safest part of the lane possible – to be safe and seen.
• Position yourself in the lane where other drivers can see you clearly.
• Avoid riding in blind spots.

4. Stay Alert and Scan Ahead

• "SEE" for Search, Evaluate & Execute.
• Constantly scan the road ahead for obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles. With vehicles, watch their wheels for movement, also watching the driver for what they are doing.
• Watch for cars making sudden lane changes, opening doors, or turning without signaling.
• "Ride with our head on a swivel" is a common safety phrase.
• Avoid distractions – keeping your eyes on the road in front of you.

5. Follow Traffic Rules

• Obey speed limits and traffic signals.
• Use proper signals when turning or changing lanes.
• Avoid weaving in and out of traffic or riding on the sidewalk.
• Ride your machine in a predictable fashion for others to see you.

6. Maintain a Safe Following Distance

• Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you to allow for sudden stops.
• Avoid tailgating to give yourself enough reaction time.

7. Use Both Brakes

• Use both front and rear brakes to stop quickly and maintain control.

8. Be Cautious When Approaching Intersections

• Slow down and be prepared to stop at intersections, even if you have the right of way.
• Be careful of other vehicles blocking another driver’s line of sight from seeing you.
• Motorcyclists sometimes practice of a slight weave (within the lane) to help other motorists see them, to get the other driver’s attention, to increase the chances of being seen.
• Watch for vehicles running red lights or making sudden turns.
• Be aware of "black ice" as oil sometimes accumulates on the roadway where vehicles stop, dangerous for any biker both in dry and wet conditions.

9. Watch for Road Hazards

• Be alert for dangerous conditions, pedestrians, scooters, bicyclists, animals, objects, potholes, road defects, debris, construction, metal/steel plates, railroad tracks, oil or slippery surfaces, grates, etc.

10. Be of the Proper Mindset & Ride Defensively

• Ask yourself these questions:
  • Do I really want to ride in rush hour traffic conditions?
  • Is traffic going to backed up for several lights?
  • Will I be faced with others parking along the roadside, pulling into and out of adjoining or curbside parking spaces?
  • Will I need to park in a parking garage? To some, this might cause anxiety or feelings of uncomfortableness.
  • Often times there are designated streets to make an upcoming turn, merging streets and one-way streets – and will these prevent be a problem in our navigation?
• Never ride in a hurry to get somewhere.
• Avoid aggressive riding and stay calm in traffic.
• Avoid sudden swerves; instead, slow down and navigate hazards carefully.
• Expect other drivers do not see you, and be prepared for sudden moves.
• Flash your brake light(s) when slowing or stopping.
• Consider adding hand signals to your bike signals to best communicate with other drivers around you.
• Loud pipes/reviving your exhaust can sometimes serve as an additional signal to other drivers you are near, to help you been seen.
• Know your escape route in case a dangerous conditions presents itself.
• If riding in a group, follow the group safety rules, also keeping a staggered distance, with proper hand signals.

11. Avoid Riding in Bad Weather

• Avoid rain or heavy downpours as such conditions reduce visibility and traction. Lightning and flooding is also dangerous to bikers.
• If you must ride, slow down and increase your following distance.

12. Stay Sober and Focused

• Never ride under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or when tired.
• Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions like using your phone.

13. Practice In Parking Lots – Keeping Your Skills Sharp

• Practice in empty parking lots or practice ranges to increase your riding skills – both in slow and fast maneuvers.
• Practice reminds you of the weight of your motorcycle and how it responds differently at different speeds.
• Practice emergency braking, cornering, crossing over obstacles and making evasive maneuvers at slow and fast speeds – to improve your reaction skills.

14. Experience & Riding With Others – Regularly

• Knowledge is one thing – Actual riding experience is another.
• Joining up with other experienced riders has its benefits:
  • Increases your visibility to other motorists.
  • Your learn important safety skills by watching others.

Staying vigilant and riding responsibly are the keys to safe navigation on the city streets when riding a motorcycle!

By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce risks and enhance the joy of riding downtown.

Brad Souders, a lifetime biker, an award-winning attorney with more than 30 years’ experience – A Biker Representing Bikers!

Attorney Brad Souders has a main office in Tampa, representing injured bikers and their families throughout the state of Florida.

Free Initial Consultations, also offering home, hospital & evening or weekend appointments. Simply call Brad’s cell phone at 813-220-7767.

Call The Motorcycle Attorney That Actually Rides!