Great info for great riding

Increase Your Visibility...Increase Your Safety

Please read on…

As a motorcycle rider, you face a huge risk of being invisible. Even when other drivers look right at you, they might not see you.

It is unfortunate, but motorcycles fall into a category of objects our minds don't always perceive…even when they're right in our field of view.

Our "invisibility" doesn't occur because drivers aren’t looking for motorcycles…it's the result of how our eyes and brain communicate with one another.

Motorcycles don't stand out or occupy much of our eyes' visual space.

Too often after an auto/motorcycle accident, the car driver says "I didn't see him."

Why drivers don't see you…

Accidents often occur even though drivers look directly at an approaching motorcycle. They're apt to turn directly into the motorcycle's path because they don't realize…

• Their distance from the motorcycle…

• How fast the motorcycle is approaching and…

• How quickly the motorcycle will be right on top of them…

You can make yourself much more visible and decrease the odds of being in an accident.

How to increase your visibility and safety on the road…

• Wisely choose your lane position…

Select the lane and position in the lane where you're most visible…where you have ample space between cars and are not sitting a driver's blind spot. Your ideal location depends upon riding conditions and the particular road.

• Use bright colors and reflective materials…

A bright colored helmet, vest or jacket will improve your daytime visibility and make you stand out. Red, green, yellow and white are more visible than navy or black.

Wearing a jacket and helmet accented with reflective tape, decals, piping or stripes will help you to stand out during your night travels.

• Your motorcycle's color makes a difference…

Drivers are more apt to see a motorcycle that's bright yellow, red, orange or white than one that's a darker color such as maroon, black or navy.

Add reflective tape to increase your motorcycle's visibility at night and in adverse weather conditions.

• Boost your motorcycle’s illumination…

If your motorcycle can handle the increased wattage, consider upgrading to brighter halogen lamps or adding auxiliary running lights.

And make sure all your motorcycle’s lights are working. Check them before you ride.

I know this is basic advice, but I've had to replace a blown tail light and an occasional signal light after a pre-ride check.

• Use extra caution at intersections…

Most accidents occur at intersections, so be extra vigilant at these locations to make sure you're seen by other drivers.

Make sure you're aware of what other vehicles around you are doing -- front, back and sides -- so you can react accordingly.

Actually…err on the side of caution by assuming you and your motorcycle are invisible and expect every car to turn in front of you.

Ride extra defensively.

By taking a few additional steps to improve your visibility, you'll improve your odds of getting other drivers' attention and avoiding collisions.

They're compact, easy to use and work great in emergencies. And what flat tire isn't an emergency?

They're all made in the USA.

Click here to learn more…

Please join me on my trips to popular destinations and rides down roads less traveled...

I recently launched a three-book series containing motorcycle travel and adventure stories and observations drawn from my jaunts throughout the United States and Canada.

Click here for a complete description of these books along with the road tales they contain...

Or click on any of the following book covers to go directly to them at Amazon…

I've taken all the information in my website describing riding techniques for dangerous situations and added to it in the book "High Risk Motorcycle Riding."

Here's information you can put to good use to ride smart and well prepared when you're on the road and the going gets tough.

Click here for a complete description of this book along with the high risk riding tips it contains for riding at night, in the rain, in cold weather and across long distances...and more...

Or click on the following book cover to go directly to the book at Amazon…

For a wealth of information to help you…

• Ride more safely and comfortably…

• Select gear that best suits you, your motorcycle and riding style…

• Get the most enjoyment every time you ride…

Or if you'd like a free subscription to Savvy Motorcyclist E-zine…

Visit my website at...

www.Motorcycle-Gear-and-Riding-Info.com

You can syndicate and/or republish any of this and other issues of the Savvy Motorcyclist E-zine for free.

All you have to do is include author attribution (byline/name of author) and the following statement...

"This information appears courtesy of Brian R. Salisbury's Savvy Motorcyclist E-zine."

with a backlink to...

www.Motorcycle-Gear-and-Riding-Info.com

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