The spring is almost here, and that means that you may be getting your motorcycle out to ride. It’s important for you to know the things you can do to stay safer on the roads, so you don’t find yourself involved in a crash.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to take precautions when you’ll be driving through the hills or on the highway. Here are three that you should remember.
- Make sure your tires have tread for slick roads
In spring, the roads may be slick, icy or wet. Depending on where you are, they may have pools of water or black ice as you cross bridges. The best thing you can do to help yourself is to have new tires, or tires with plenty of tread on your motorcycle. That way, your tires will have good traction and be better able to grip the road no matter what surface you’re on.
- Plan your route accordingly
The next thing to do is to plan your route accordingly. If the roads are wet or you’re worried about traffic, it may be worth avoiding the highway where there are steep gradients and hills. Going through the backroads might be easier on you, since there will be less traffic, but be prepared to take more time to get where you want to go.
- Brighten up your wardrobe before you ride
Finally, remember that your appearance is important. If you wear grays, blues, blacks, or other neutral colors, you’re not likely to stand out in the spring. Brighter colors, like neon yellow or orange, will stand out and let other drivers know that you’re nearby. You may also want to wear reflector patches on your jacket, or helmet, so that you reflect light back at drivers and make yourself more apparent.
These tips could help you avoid a crash and stay safer when you start to ride again in warm weather. Drivers still need to respect your place on the road, but taking these steps may help you avoid unnecessary traffic and help them see you sooner when you are around others.
