Riding motorcycles is fun, but it can also be dangerous. While some perils arise due to inexperience, it's not always a lack of seat time that puts a rider in the hospital. As the saying goes, it's not a matter of if you go down, but when. It's impossible to avoid all risks but paying attention to your surroundings will make it easier to spot dangers and make the right decisions. As a responsible rider, focus on these roadside safety risks.

Traffic

Oncoming traffic is one of the biggest threats a rider will face. Drivers are often distracted, and the causes are irrelevant—because all put riders at risk, and it doesn't take long for the unthinkable to happen. The hit doesn't even have to be direct; even a glancing blow from an oncoming vehicle can knock you from your bike. Some incidents are unavoidable but keeping your head on a swivel and riding under the assumption that others aren't paying attention is an effective way to minimize the risk of an accident.

Turning Vehicles

Busy intersections are as risky as it can get, and much of the danger involves inattentive drivers making quick left turns. Every seasoned motorcyclist has a story about avoiding a crash after a car has pulled out in front of them, and unfortunately, some don't live to tell the tale.

Although drivers can play a crucial role in ensuring motorcyclists' safety by putting their phones down and paying attention to the road, it's also a rider's responsibility to increase their focus on an intersection. It may seem excessive, but an extra little bit of care may one day save your life.

Sudden Stops

When a driver slams on the brakes, the potential for an accident dramatically increases, as does the danger for motorcyclists. A bike's front brake supplies 70% of its stopping power, so it's a necessity. Grabbing it too hard, however, may lock up the front wheel and send a rider over the handlebars.

Choosing types of motorcycles that are equipped with ABS will mitigate the problem, but it's equally important to learn how bikes handle when the brakes are heavily applied. With some training and practice, you'll be ready to avoid a collision during a panic stop.

Roadside Debris

Motorcycles are known for their cornering abilities, but situations quickly get sticky when debris is thrown into their path. Dirt, sticks, and roadkill are common dangers, but gravel is one of the worst obstacles a rider will face.

Gravel releases the tires' grip on the road, causing a bike to move unpredictably and increasing the chances of a serious accident. If it's unavoidable, low-side falls are the easiest ones to survive. Unfortunately, riders often high-side it, which is significantly more dangerous.

Excessive Speed in the Corners

Many people gravitate toward motorcycles because of their speed. For the price of a family sedan, you can ride off on a bike that may keep pace with the world's fastest cars. Feeling all that power and speed is exhilarating, but it's also risky.

Straight-line riding is easy, for the most part, but cornering takes longer to master. New riders are at greater risk of speeding through corners, but even the most experienced biker may make mistakes.

Careless Drivers and Open Doors

Bicyclists have dealt with the problem for many years, but it's exponentially more dangerous for motorcyclists. Even though it puts riders' lives at risk, some people intentionally open their doors to prevent motorcycles from passing. It isn't a big issue once you're on the open road (unless you're lane-splitting somewhere it's legal and someone gets jealous), but in the city, you'll need to look out for drivers opening their doors.

Lane Changers

It doesn't make much sense, especially with the prevalence of blind spot monitoring and obstacle detection systems in new vehicles, but it happens often: drivers try to change lanes without so much as a glance. When a motorcycle and a car try to occupy the same patch of road, the biker loses every time.

At cruising speeds, these accidents can be deadly even for those wearing the right gear. Not everyone uses their turn signals before switching lanes, but most drivers do. By paying attention when cars and trucks start to move into another lane, you'll spot most of these risky lane changes before they happen.

Other Motorists

Although intersections are dangerous, traffic lights aren't without their share of risks. The threat doesn't end once you've left the intersection, as slow-moving vehicles can also be dangerous. Inattentive drivers often rear-end other vehicles, causing severe injury and property damage—which is always worse when the vehicle in front is a motorcycle.

Poor Weather

Riding in the rain is no fun. Getting soaked and splashed is an inevitability, and the smallest puddle feels like you've ridden through a river. Surfaces get slicker, visibility decreases, and many drivers don't slow down, making a rainy road a dangerous place for a rider to be.

Wintertime riding isn't recommended, and for good reason. While boots, gloves, and gear can keep you warmer, ice and snow are extremely dangerous. Even if you're not riding through a winter wonderland, it still pays to be careful on longer rides, as it's hard to tell what the weather may be like several hundred miles away.

Riding While Intoxicated

Unlike cars, trucks, and SUVs, motorcycles often give riders the feeling that they can safely ride while under the influence. They're self-stabilizing at highway speeds, and with so much open air around them, it's easy to assume that a slight swerve would escape the attention of law enforcement officers. Combine those assumptions with the fact that drinking and motorcycle cultures go together, and it's a recipe for disaster.

No matter how skilled you are on two wheels, alcohol impairs judgment, lengthens reaction times, and is a contributing factor in many motorcycle accidents. Riding sober is one of the best ways to decrease the risk of injury and enjoy a safe trip.

Avoid These Risks and Stay Safe

These are just a few ways riders can stay safer on America's roads. By following traffic laws, wearing the right protective gear, riding sober, looking for distracted drivers, and taking a motorcycle safety class, you'll find it easier to stay safe on two wheels. Remember that the safest rides start with reliable, high-quality motorcycles, which we can help you find. Visit the American Motorcycle Trading Co. online or call us today to get started.