Avoiding the Bump in the Road: Planning for Safety on a Motorcycle Vacation

Motorcycles are synonymous with freedom and adventure: mention them to most people and they will immediately conjure up mental images of the open road, the wind rushing through one’s hair and a range of exciting experiences and opportunities out there ready and waiting to be explored.

Like all adventurous things, riding a motorcycle comes with an element of risk.  In fact, some would say this is part of their appeal and it makes riding them all the more thrilling and exciting.  That said, nobody really wants to experience an accident and safety is, therefore, the most important consideration for riders, particularly for inexperienced riders new to the motorcycle scene, riders travelling alone, people intending to take an especially long journey or those individuals who are planning on building their whole vacation around a motorcycle trip.  In such cases, the risk of accidents is increased and motorcycle accidents are notorious for being among some of the most damaging.  They frequently have long term implications on the rest of the rider’s life.  They can even lead to fatalities.  It is critical therefore to consider safety every step of the way and plan properly so as to mitigate these risks as far as possible.

Managing risks

An injury, even a minor one, can ruin a trip and put someone off riding motorcycles for life and accidents should, therefore, be avoided at all costs.  Careful planning is critical to achieving this.

Here are some hints and tips for people who are planning on riding a motorcycle and want to ensure they do so in the safest way possible.

• Get the right equipment.  Having the right protective gear is perhaps the most important consideration, and it is about so much more than simply a crash helmet.  Protecting the head is obviously important but any body part can sustain damage in an accident and should therefore be suitably protected.  Full body leathers, gloves and boots are wise investments. Similarly important, but perhaps less obvious, are things like ear plugs to protect against long-term damage from exposure to engine noise. If you’re looking to transport your motorcycle to some show or track, you can load it up on the back of your truck and use those reliable cargo bed extender for trucks to safely get there.

• Look after the bike.  The bike is what stands, or sits, between the rider and a fast-moving hard surface so it is critical for it to be in good working condition.  Regular servicing by trusted and properly qualified specialists, frequent inspections, and ensuring even minor concerns and defects are dealt with quickly and efficiently, are the best way to ensure safety in this area.

• Plan, plan, plan.  A motorcyclist who knows where they are going and has a clear understanding of how to get there is in a far better position to concentrate on their riding rather than one distracted by reading maps or a GPS.  They can also share their plans and whereabouts with friends and family, perhaps on social media, so people are able to keep a track of them and alert the relevant authorities if necessary.  It is also important to pack the right things in terms of sustenance.  It is easy to become dehydrated when riding, especially in hot weather, so some water and maybe a few snacks to keep energy and attention levels high are a must.

Finally, riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol must be avoided at all times.

When things go wrong

Sadly, however thorough the preparation for a motorcycle trip might be, accidents can and do happen and there are times when, even with the benefit of hindsight, there is absolutely nothing that could have been done to prevent them. With such circumstances in mind, it is important to expect the unexpected and prepare for the worst.  First and foremost, this means knowing where to go for help when things do go wrong.

Planning properly for a motorcycle trip means researching local healthcare facilities in the areas that are going to be travelled through, and having contact details in an easily accessible place. Similarly, the contact details of a law office specializing in motorcycle accidents are an absolute must for anyone planning a motorcycle trip.

Stay safe and enjoy

Motorcycling is, for the vast majority of the time, a safe and hugely enjoyable pastime as well as an efficient means of getting around.  Careful preparation and due diligence will ensure that it is as safe as possible by mitigating the inherent risks.  A key part of that is knowing where to go to when things go wrong.  Having the right equipment and the right knowledge in place is the best way to ensure maximum enjoyment on two wheels.

photo credit: Theophilos via photopin cc