Safety tips for motorcyclists

Safety tips for motorcyclists

GEM Motoring Assist is keen to reduce motorcycle casualties during the summer riding season. Several months of lockdown have meant a slow start for many riders, and GEM urges every motorcyclist to stay legal, stay safe and focus on boosting skills.

Knowing your own limits is a vital component of being a safe, responsible rider. GEM chief executive Neil Worth says: “There’s a lot of satisfaction to be gained from riding a motorcycle with skill and precision. But if you’re riding at speed, there is no margin for error if you – or another road user near you – gets something wrong. 

“We’re encouraging riders to give themselves a ‘skills MOT’ – particularly in view of the delays and restrictions endured by so many riders in the months when they might otherwise expect to be out on their machines. We also appeal to drivers and pedestrians to make a special point of looking out for motorcyclists, especially at junctions. After all, it’s here around 30 riders are killed or injured every day.  

Follow GEM’s five simple ‘lifesaver’ safety tips and reduce the risk of being involved in a collision:

1. If you’ve had your bike in the garage for a long time, invest in a refresher day with a training professional. Search online for motorcycle training days or consult your local club or advanced motorcyclists’ group.

2. Make sure you take time to warm up, especially if you are not a regular rider and not ‘bike fit’.

3. Ensure self-preservation is your priority. The predominant cause of motorcycle crashes is the failure of car drivers to detect and recognise motorcycles in traffic. So wear high visibility clothing on all journeys, and ride in a way that gives others a better chance of seeing you.

4. Don’t ride beyond your comfort zone, especially if you’re riding in a group. If your friends are cornering too quickly for you, let them go and join them at the next junction.

5. Try not to dwell on your errors as you go along. Plan 10 to 15 seconds ahead, anticipate the next hazards. When you stop for a break, reflect on anything that didn’t go to plan, ask what you have learnt and how you can reduce the chance of the same thing happening again.

Finally, GEM is asking all other road users to keep a good look-out for motorcyclists.

“The roads are there for us all to use, so do get into the habit of expecting to see motorcycles on a journey,” added Neil Worth. “It may seem an easy and obvious step, but it has significant potential in terms of helping to reduce motorcyclist injuries.

To view these stories or to keep up to date with the latest news from GEM Motoring Assist you can connect with GEM Motoring Assist at:

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GEM Motoring Assist is a members’ motoring and road safety organisation in the UK. Our aim is to keep our members on the move… whether that’s through our breakdown recovery service or our motoring and road safety expertise.

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