TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.––When the weather gets warmer, the open road calls for adventure! This also means there will inevitably be more motorcyclists on the road. Whether or not you're the motorcyclist, motorcycle safety is extremely important.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and we want to keep riders and drivers alike safe on the road. To keep you and your fellow road mates safe, we've got some
tips for motorcycle safety you can use throughout the year.
Tips for Car Drivers
-Look Twice: Motorcyclists don't take up as much space on the road and are smaller overall. This means that they're harder to see. Making sure you look twice or even three times, especially your blind spots, can help potentially save an accident and even a life.
-Leave Extra Distance: Following close behind a motorcycle can be as dangerous as it is with a full sized vehicle. Just remember motorcyclists are smaller than you and don't have the protection that a car does. Leaving extra distance, even at slower speeds, is important to ensure you have enough room to swerve or suddenly stop should you need to.
-Never Share a Lane: Although this tip seems obvious, it's worth mentioning. Motorcyclists can sometimes drive on the side of the road or closer to one side of a lane. Even if there's enough room, it's never safe or ok to share a lane!
-Make Slow Movements & Use Signals: Along with leaving extra distance, making slower movements may help decrease the chance for an accident. Making slower movements such as changing lanes, turning, backing up, etc. can raise other drivers' and motorcyclists' awareness for what you're going to do. This essentially makes it easier for others on the road to react in a timely matter.
Tips for Motorcyclists
-Always Assume You're Invisible: Drivers won't see you as readily as they would a full size vehicle because you are much smaller overall. This means you must assume you're invisible to other drivers to keep yourself same. Assuming the driver does see you can be a big mistake, especially if you need to make a sudden movement.
-Wear Appropriate Gear: Some states don't require a helmet or other gear necessary for biking. Although it's a personal decision to wear gear or not, it's recommended to suit up. You never know what situation you could get into, so having the right gear to protect all parts of your body is a preventative practice that could potentially save your life!
-Check the Weather Before You Go: Most motorcyclists don't like to ride in the rain for the simple fact of getting wet, or feeling the pain of falling rain. Most importantly, motorcyclists shouldn't ride in the rain simply because it's harder for other drivers to see you. Bad weather also increases the likelihood of an accident by impairing your vision and safety on the road.
-Leave Extra Distance: It's important for drivers to leave extra distance to avoid accidents, but it's just as important for you to do the same! Leaving extra distance may make it easier for a driver to spot you. Because you're not as well protected, it allows you extra time and distance to act quick, should you need to.
Whether it's keeping up with routine maintenance or studying up on tips for motorcycle safety, we want you to be safe on the road always! Although we can't hold your hand and tell you what to do out on the road, we can provide you with excellent maintenance services, reliable vehicles, and great driving advice. Stay tuned to our blog for more tips and information on safe driving practices.
We're proud to offer you the best dealership experience in the Cherry Capital area. At our North Campus, located at 1301 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686, you'll enjoy the latest selection of Audi, Nissan, Toyota, VW, and Volvo vehicles. Across the street, is our used vehicle and certified pre-owned headquarters. At our South Campus, located at 1747 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686, you'll find the newest Cadillac and Subaru inventory, as well as our Collision Center.
