When it comes to motorcycle safety, there is only so much a helmet and armored jacket can do to prevent injuries. Ultimately, you’ll want to avoid getting into a crash at all costs, and one way to do that is to increase your visibility. The more visible you are, the more likely cars will see you ahead of time so that they can avoid hitting you.
Here are some ideas for increasing visibility while riding a motorcycle:
- Don’t ride in blind spots: Be aware of whether cars and trucks can see you. Always give them plenty of space, don’t tailgate and be careful to avoid blind spots.
- Tap your brakes before stopping: This will momentarily light up your brake lights to give cars behind you fair warning that you’re slowing down.
- Use high beams during the day: This will increase your daytime visibility immensely and the contrast of daylight will ensure that no one gets blinded.
- Buy a brightly colored bike: It might not be as cool as a jet black “stealth-looking” bike, but a brightly colored bike will boost your visibility exponentially.
- Wear high visibility clothing and gear: Buy a helmet that has bright colors on it and select clothing and gear that is made to be more visible. Some are even equipped with reflective materials.
- Put reflective tape wherever you can: Put reflective tape on your helmet, and on the most visible parts of your bike, like the fork and the side areas.
These are just a few tips to increase your visibility on a motorcycle. If you still get hit and injured because another motorist didn’t see you, sufficient evidence may exist to support a personal injury claim. Be sure to learn about and fully understand your legal rights before embarking on such a lawsuit.