The Open Road An Overview of Motorcycle Safety

All in all basic motorcycle driving provides a good solid even relaxed introduction to both the joys and the frustrations and problems of motoring and specifically driving a motorcycle or even a less demanding scooter. Yet even if you get hit and hurt , it is seldom "your fault". Yet in the hospital bed , the clinic or in the government disability lineup at the DMV "Who cares ?".

The open road can be said to provide a good solid and relaxed introduction to both the problems and joys of motorcycling. In addition the highways and byways that you traverse will and can provide not only what the beginning driver and rider need - some assurance that it is truly possible not only to survive on two wheels by the application of common sense and acquired knowledge, but to enjoy a more rewarding life and lifetime regardless of its length.

When an analysis of motorcycle accidents are made it is truly significant, that many many mishaps involve solely one vehicle - the motorcycle itself and none other.

What to watch for - firstly holes in the road surface. Even a big wooly, normally friendly dog can be a hazard to a driver or motorcyclist. The animal or pet can cause you to swerve, collide , spill or generally foul up your control. Keep a watch out and if necessary or essential turn up your speed to out distance them before they cause you or your vehicle trouble and mishap. Prudence was no doubt the watchword. The condition of the roadway surface and surfaces on which any vehicle is traveling is most important to consider in your travel plans and actions and reactions. The motorist had reduced his speed within the legal speed limit , amazingly there was a ghost radar trap car on the road - what a bunch of evil characters and then whomp his front end hit a 36 inch long curved hole in the road. No markings no signs flashing or markings. Yet it was 6 inches deep with a curved leading edge on the way out - all to damage the tire and rim. Imagine if this disaster had occurr! ed on a two wheeled vehicle. One wonders where the "safety officers" of the construction company were. Yet the local traffic authorities would of been all to hasty to issue a speeding violation ticket if above legal speeds were the case. As well as road hazards consider oil, water ,mud ,ice, wet leaves , gravel as well as other lubricating substances. One hazard in the northern states as well as northern Canadian regions are ice and snow that blow off of the tops of transport trucks. This can be a hazard in the northern Alberta Fort McMurray oil sands regions. No rest for the wary or the wicked one might say.
Rim was significantly walloped , tire cut . The brand new rim had to be replaced, the tire luckily was not punctured. The owner had learned his lesson from a previous experience with an auto insurance claim . He took his vehicle to a brand name dealership for inspection and estimate rather than to a 3rd party shop. After all who would know the vehicle better and have the greatest technical expertise but the mechanics trained by the factory. There was zero markings on the roadway what so ever.
Pylons had been set up in construction areas 1/2 mile back and 2/3 of a mile forward. When a safety officer of the firm was asked - his answer was that "kids steal pylons all the time". Imagine if you had told your parents such a tale after arriving home late on a Saturday night after carousing. If you open your eyes you may well be amazed at the perils on the road. Just scan a brief area of roadway and you may well find - railway tracks, cables and wire dotting the road , pieces or refuse and junk etc etc etc. A simple wire or banana peel may be more than enough to cause you a spill if you hit it wrong or in the wrong angular direction. Lots of luck. LOL.

Motorists must be prepared to ride and defend himself, herself or themselves from any variety of hazards - in this case some of them not as dangerous to a car , truck or SUV but specifically in this case to motorcycles and scooters. This is a function of the speed and skill of the rider, type of cycle, tire tread patterns, size and shape of the pavement defect. Some of the hazards in the roadway to consider
1)Concrete channels used to drain water at intersections
2)Railroad and city light rail line tacks
3)Various foreign objects - bottles ,cans, lumber ,bricks and the odd schmendrick lying in the middle of the lane. A bike has little stability at low speeds.

Shinder says "Drive Careful". Drive safe. Safety and preparation for your road trip are the watchwords.