Safe City Riding Tips for Motorcyclists
After over 100 years, motorcycles have become fairly commonplace on the streets and highways of the United States, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all smooth sailing for motorcyclists. If you regularly run errands downtown or commute to work, then you might have noticed that drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists can all present hazards to you as a motorcycle rider.
Cities are busy and crowded places and sometimes there isn’t a lot of wiggle room in narrow lanes, so it’s important for the responsible motorcyclist to be aware of the dangers of city riding so that they can take steps to protect themselves and others on the street.
Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson in Eugene is proud to be your western Oregon Harley-Davidson® dealer. Here are some of our top tips for safe city riding on your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.
1. Be Visible
Black leather and dark colors might look really cool, but they’re unfortunately not very high-visibility, and that’s exactly what you need when riding a motorcycle. Being seen is especially important in dim or dark conditions, which could mean anything from heavy fog to nighttime riding. Bright colors, especially neon colors like safety orange, are the most visible colors you can wear aside from white. If you have only black apparel, throw on an orange vest or apply some reflective tape to your helmet and bike to ensure that others on the street can see you clearly.
2. Stay Out in the Open
You may find yourself in the occasional bit of road congestion, but for the most part, you should be able to keep yourself and your bike out in more open areas. Try not to crowd in so much with fellow bikers or ride on the tails of a car or truck. Keep yourself out in the open with plenty of space around you so that you can see and be seen.
3. Scan Ahead
It’s always smart to watch the road ahead and the lanes on either side of you to know what to expect. Always signal your maneuvers in advance and use your mirrors and check blind spots to ensure that you won’t be careening into another vehicle if you change lanes or turn, especially in crowded downtown areas. You need to be aware of any sudden changes that other motorists may make, as well as watching for obstacles ahead like animals or people in the road.
4. Seek a Way Out
Your bike allows you to move more quickly than a car does, so try to use that trait to your advantage. As you ride through the city, you’ll want to watch for escape opportunities in case a car suddenly pulls out or traffic comes to a rapid stop. Hard braking on a motorcycle can be dangerous and might throw you, so it’s best to try to weave your way to safety, even if that means riding onto a grass median to escape being hit.
5. Watch the Left
The left side is more dangerous here in the United States, where drivers stick to the right side of the road. If you see a driver in a left-turn lane, watch them carefully to make sure they obey traffic laws and don’t pull out into your path because they don’t see you. Use high-beams and honk your horn if necessary. You’ll also want to watch carefully when you make a left turn so that you aren’t hit by oncoming traffic that isn’t paying attention.
6. Beware Surface Conditions
You should also be aware of the surface conditions of the road ahead, especially in inclement weather. Rain can create slick spots, while sleet or snow can create patches of black ice that are more difficult to see. Slow down in bad weather and try to steer as straight as you can so that you can navigate these difficult patches. You’ll also want to watch for puddles of oil or loose gravel as well as potholes that can be much more dangerous to you as a motorcyclist than they are to a car driver.
7. Don’t Be Aggressive
Finally, we feel it’s important to warn you not to ride aggressively, just assertively. Behaving aggressively, sneaking between cars, swerving lanes, riding the shoulder—all of this will only make the riders, pedestrians and bicyclists around you angry and frustrated over your disregard for safety. Use your hand signals, move with caution, watch the road ahead and attempt to stay out of crowded lanes instead.
Still searching for the perfect Harley-Davidson® motorcycle for city riding? Come on down to our Eugene dealership location to check out our vast array of new and used Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale. Talk to our friendly staff about our financing options as well if you’d like to make use of them. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson proudly serves our Oregon customers in Corvallis and Albany.