101 Critical Days of Summer: motorcycle safety

  • Published
  • By compiled staff reports
  • 354th Fighter Wing Safety Office
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Riding home on that new bike. Family, friends, and even neighbors offer their opinion, "Motorcycles. Seem like fun... ..but they're so dangerous!" And you know they are right. 

Can you ride a motorcycle with no risk and free from danger, damage or injury? The obvious answer is no. There are many things we do that have risk. We fly planes. We scuba dive. We ride bicycles. We jog. We drive cars. Some activities have more risk than others. The element of risk and our perception of it are constantly changing. We can't eliminate risk, but we can lower it. 

Here are some tips: 

-Mental preparation 
It has been said that motorcycling is perhaps 90 percent mental. Mental preparation for the ride is critical for the motorcyclist. This begins with being alert and free from stress and other emotional distractions. Equally important is the rider's attention. Lack of attention to the riding task is a predominate cause of many vehicle crashes. 

-Physical preparation
Given the rider vulnerability and the ever- changing environment, selecting, purchasing, and wearing appropriate protective gear is critical. Research says that protective gear can sometimes reduce injury in the event of an accident. Thus, motorcyclists must also prepare by dressing for the fall. The minimum-protective gear includes a helmet, eye protection, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, long-sleeve upper garment and long pants constructed of a material that protects from the environment and the potential fall. By deciding not to wear any one part of protective gear, vulnerability and risk increase. Are we willing to accept this increased level of risk? 

-Motorcycle preparation
The motorcycle operator is responsible for pre-ride inspections. The most important items to check are the lights for visibility, suspension for worn parts and leaking fluids, and tires for under inflation, dry rot and tread depth--common causes of tire failure. 

-Know the limits of the rider 
One of the most important parts of understanding risk management is knowing the limits of the rider. Though some natural coordination is required, most of a rider's skill comes through knowledge and experience. Knowledge through training can make the experience we gain through riding less painful and expensive. 

-Know the law and limits of the environment
The environment provides limits. Things like weather, temperature and light can affect the level of risk. 

-Know the limits of the motorcycle
Through design and purpose, motorcycles have different handling characteristics, size, and control operation. Cornering clearance is not the same -- a sport bike has different handling characteristics than a cruiser. In addition to being careful when riding a new or unfamiliar motorcycle, it is probably best not to loan your motorcycle to a friend. 

-Riding strategies
Riding a motorcycle is mostly mental. Strategies define the way our minds deal with the hazards in the riding environment. One of the most important strategies is to see and be seen. Strategies can help you anticipate and avoid problems before they occur. Riding strategies are the most effective way of recognizing and lowering risk. 

Motorcycling is an activity with a high level of risk. Once recognized, the first step in lowering risk is to prepare our minds, our body, and our motorcycle. The second step in risk management is knowing limits of the rider, motorcycle, environment, and law. We come to understand the changing nature of these limits, and their impact on the risk we accept. 

Finally, our attitude provides the basis for using this knowledge effectively. We understand the risk, know the limits, and ride within these limits, using our mental strategies. Sometimes this means deciding not to ride. 

Rider responsibility: 

· Research tells us that more than half of all motorcycle accidents involve riders with less than five months experience. More than 90% of the riders involved in accidents are self-taught. 

· Many motorcycle crashes are single-vehicle accidents. Crashes with other vehicles also occur because either or both drivers make errors in judgment. 

· What are the "perfect" times to ride? 

· When might motorcycling not be my best choice of transportation--especially if there is an alternate mode of transportation? 

There are many reasons for wanting to ride a motorcycle - and there are motorcycles and riding styles for almost everyone. But the prime consideration in deciding to ride is a decision to accept the risk inherent to motorcycling. This risk can be lowered. But motorcycling is still a high-risk activity. It is a personal decision to ride, but the better you understand the risk and how it can be lowered, the better your chance of making a responsible decision.