20 tips for safe motorcycle riding

There are hundreds of tips to make motorcycle driving safer. Probably, many of them apply them every day, but it is never too much to remember them.

Motorcycle riding requires a lot of attention. There are multiple factors that would probably go unnoticed in a car, but when riding on two wheels they become a safe accident. Therefore, the Chilean Safety Association (ACHS) provides the following recommendations to travel with greater peace of mind and caution.

On motorcycles, we can only take one passenger, who must comply with the basic safety standards.

• 1.- Always drive with caution, on the defensive, because the motorcycle is a vehicle without a body that offers greater protection to its driver.
• 2.- It should always be remembered that the urban speed limit is 60 km/hour unless otherwise specified.
• 3.- At all times you should keep both hands on the handle.
• 4.- Do not carry more than one passenger. Nor should the motorcycle be loaded more than the manufacturer specified.
• 5.- When carrying a companion, you must be given some indications before starting the trip. For example, explain that you should sit with your knees squeezing the chassis and always keeping your feet on your feet.
• 6.- The hands must go in the handles of the motorcycle and not of the body of the driver since they limit the capacity to maneuver.
• 7.- In addition, in the curves, the co-driver must follow the driver with his body, so that he performs the same inclination.
• 8.- You must drive in a straight line, without zigzags that invite a collision with a nearby vehicle. Additionally, you always must avoid blind points.
• 9.- You must always drive in the center of the track. We must not forget that the motorcycle has the same right as any other larger motorized vehicle.
• 10.- You should always reduce the speed when entering a crossing.
• 11.- When approaching a cross street, you have to be alert in case any vehicle suddenly turns. Only then will we have time to brake the motorcycle.
• 12.- Try to anticipate the road conditions in advance, such as wet pavement, dirt on the road and fallen leaves, among others. So you can take the appropriate measures.
• 13.- You must always be alert, because the sewer covers, the holes caused by recent rains, bridge joints, metal surfaces can cause a fall.
• 14.- The signs, demarcations and the preferential right of pedestrians must always be respected.
• 15.- Reduce speed when traveling near schools, plazas and, in general, areas where children can suddenly go down the road.
• 16.- Reduce speed when approaching school transports or vehicles of the collective locomotion that have stopped to take or leave passengers.
• 17.- You should not drive if alcohol has been ingested, or if your physical and psychological conditions are not optimal.
• 18.- Reduce speed if there are road works.
• 19.- Never protect yourself from wind by hiding behind trucks or heavy vehicles.
• 20.- The passage of heavy vehicles at high speed creates aerodynamic forces that laterally drive lighter vehicles, such as motorcycle and related vehicles, diverting them from their trajectory. Always be especially careful of this situation.

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