How to Stay Safe on a Motorcycle on Busy City Roads

When riding your motorcycle, you always need to ensure you follow the right rules to stay safe.

But you’ll need to adapt your safe riding methods for the type of road you’re on and the things that surround you.

Riding on busy city roads can be a very different experience from traveling down the highway, for instance.

So, check out the following helpful tips on how to stay safe on your motorcycle in the city.

What to Do if You’re Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

Before looking at how you can remain safe on busy city roads, it’s worth noting what you should do if you happen to be involved in a road accident.

The first thing to do is get to safety if you’re not too badly injured to move. Then, check if anyone else has been hurt in the accident and help them to move to safety.

You should then call emergency services to report the accident.

Also, wait for paramedics to arrive before you remove your helmet and protective gear, as you’re likely to be in shock and therefore you may not notice any injuries that could be exacerbated by removing your gear.

The next step is to swap insurance information and gather evidence of the accident scene, such as taking photographs and taking notes, if you’re able to do so.

Then, make sure you get medical attention. If paramedics haven’t been called out, ensure you see a doctor straight after the accident. You could have injuries that aren’t noticeable.

After you’ve seen a physician, contact your insurance company and a lawyer.

An attorney, such as one of the motorcycle accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, will be able to provide you with legal advice, and if the accident isn’t your fault, your lawyer can help you to pursue compensation.

Make Sure You’re Visible

If you remember to always practice safe riding, you’ll lessen your chances of being involved in a road accident when traveling through cities like New York.

One of the most important things to remember when riding in the city or anywhere else is to stay visible.

Not every driver will have a clear view of you, so always be ready for things like merging cars and make sure you can be seen.

Don’t watch drivers’ physical actions to determine if they can see you. Instead, watch the vehicle and its tires.

Avoid blind spots, as you can’t afford to risk a driver not seeing you.

Be Cautious at Intersections in the City

You’re sure to come across lots of intersections in any city.

When you’re waiting to pull out at an intersection, ensure the vehicle in front of you has moved on before you move.

Too often, motorcyclists think gaps are big enough to get through while the driver in front doesn’t, which can result in rear-end collisions.

You should keep an eye in the mirror on the approaching traffic behind you while at a city

intersection and you should leave a gap between you and the vehicle in front. You’ll then have enough time to react should another driver flout the rules of the road.

Check the Road Conditions Ahead of You

When riding through busy cities, it’s imperative that you check the road conditions ahead of you.

Of course, you should do that on any road, but cities are much more prone to having things like cracks in the road, potholes, and other unsafe conditions that can affect motorcycles more than cars.

Always Have an Escape Plan Ready

If there are unsafe conditions ahead, whether that’s due to a crack in the road or a driver driving unsafely, you need to ensure you know what your escape route is.

In city traffic, even a simple fender-bender can potentially turn into a fatal accident for motorcyclists. So, always plan an escape route.