Ridin’ on 2 Wheels

When you hop on a motorcycle, you may feel like you become one with the road, but you could also quickly become one with the pavement.

In fact, riding a motorcycle makes you 37 times more likely to die in a crash than someone riding in a car. In 2008, there were 9,618 motorcycle crashes in Florida resulting in the deaths of 532 motorcyclists and their passengers and 9,402 injuries.

Here are a few ways motorcyclists can decrease their odds of becoming road kill:

Make sure you are properly trained and certified before taking your bike out for a spin. Driving without a license and training greatly increases your chances of getting in a fatal accident.

Always wear a helmet! Nearly half of riders who die in motorcycle accidents were not wearing a helmet. You do have the option to ride without a helmet, but that decision may mean the difference between surviving an accident and becoming another sad statistic.

Don’t try to ride a motorcycle that has more power than you can handle safely.

Don’t weave in and out of traffic or drive in a car’s blind spot. Drive like you would drive a car- just because you can fit a motorcycle into smaller spots between cars doesn’t mean you should.

Don’t drink or do drugs before riding a motorcycle. 2 wheels can be even more dangerous than 4 wheels, and you can still get a DUI on a motorcycle.

Since motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, other drivers often overlook them. Make sure to use your turn signals, turn on your headlights, and wear clothing made from retro -reflective material when riding at night so that everyone on the road has a better chance of seeing you.

For more information on staying safe on two wheels, check out the Florida Driver’s Safety Program: http://motorcycles.hsmv.state.fl.us/.

Stats on this page came from the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Resource Documents:

Ride Proud, Dress Loud Poster
Get Licensed, Get Endorsed Poster
What Cars & Trucks Need to Know
Scooter Riding Tips
Riding With a Passenger
Riding Tips
Riding Impaired
Motorcycle Riding Tips
Group Riding
Get Ready to Ride
2009 Motorcycle Report