Four motorcycle safety tips for street riding
This article was originally published in May 2018 and has been updated in April 2022.
When you ride a motorcycle in traffic-filled streets, it’s vital to stay constantly on guard.
We’ve put together four key tips for motorbike riding safety to help keep you safe on the road.
1. Get the right motorcycle training
When it comes to motorbike riding, the learning doesn’t stop after your initial certification and riding course.
It’s a good idea to keep learning new safety tactics from experts and always be aware when riding. Don’t overestimate your skill level, no matter how long you’ve been riding.
You can find a list of QBE approved motorcycle courses here.
2. Always assume invisibility
As a motorbike rider, you must be aware that you can be practically invisible to other drivers on the road.
Motorcycles can be easily hidden by other things on the road like telegraph poles, signs or other cars, so prepare and be alert for drivers who change lanes or pull out in front of you when they don’t see you.
People driving cars on the road may not know people who ride motorbikes or may have never ridden one before themselves, so, in many cases they won’t have much knowledge about road riding.
They also may not be as alert to motorcyclists as they would be for drivers of cars and trucks – especially in blind spots.
3. Defensive motorcycle riding
Maintaining a buffer zone helps you stay safe and allows for mistakes made by car drivers or yourself on the road.
Defensive riding is about making assertive decisions including braking and maintaining the correct speed in constantly changing traffic conditions to ensure there’s a safe following distance between you and other vehicles.
4. Motorcycle tyre pressure
If your daily commute is via motorcycle, it’s important to have the correct tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres reduce the performance of the motorcycle resulting in heavy steering, slow handling, reduced traction and extended braking distances, which all affect your safety.
If you ride your motorbike every day, it’s a good idea to check your tyre pressure once per week at a petrol station.
This can also save costs in the long-term. When tyres aren’t properly inflated and ridden frequently on the road, they deteriorate quickly and will have a shorter lifespan.
