In California, many bikers can ride year-long. This provides valuable road experience and allows bikers to get a better feel for which issues are most common.
However, when someone’s just starting out (or are a seasonal rider) it’s important to understand what circumstances feature the most danger for bikers:
Left–hand turns
By far the biggest issue for motorcycles is when a car simply overlooks them when making a left-hand turn in front of their bike. While this mistake usually results in minor cosmetic damage for a car, it’s disastrous for anyone on the bike.
Bikers can lower the chances of these accidents by anticipating a car’s turn. Watch turn lanes and look for signs of movement. Get used to covering your brakes at intersections, even when you have the right of way. Have an exit strategy in mind should a car impede your lane.
It’s not fair, but bikers will pay heavily for a driver’s mistake.
Lane changes
Many cars only look for other cars when changing lanes. This leads to near misses or accidents when they merge directly into your path.
If you are on a freeway or a multi-lane highway, make sure you stand out from the surrounding area. If possible, wear bright clothing and reflective materials. If you don’t have bright riding clothes, consider getting reflective safety tape to put on your shoulders and back.
Slippery roads
Riding during a rainstorm or immediately after one means oil-slicked roads are the norm. For four wheels, this isn’t that big of a deal. On a bike, however, a little oil on the pavement can mean disaster.
Keep an eye on road conditions and approach any blind turns with caution. It’s much easier to speed up at the end of a turn than to slow down on a slippery road. Ride carefully and keep an eye on road conditions.
Dealing with traffic
Bikers can only do so much when it comes to preventing accidents. There’s no determining when an inattentive car is going to pull in front of you or force you out of your lane.
If that happens, speaking with a knowledgeable injury attorney can help you get compensation for your injuries and damage to your bike.
