Motorcycling Safer
- Author Charles Bloom
- Published January 23, 2011
- Word count 487
Adam Bohannan's broken leg healed after a month, but the gravel embedded in his kneecap after a car pulled out in front of his motorcycle three years ago gives a hobbling stride to his step. He was riding down the street, the weather was hot and he didn't bother with extra riding gear. After 35 years of motorcycle riding he knew better but he learned the hard way that you are lucky until the day you are not.
Dangerous hobbies remind us of our own mortality but the difference between pushing boundaries and pushing up daisies has less to do with luck then common sense and proper safety habits. As riders engaging in a dangerous activity, we must do everything we can to mitigate hazards and maximize our chances of walking away when worst-case scenarios present themselves.
Safe riding starts with a Department of Transportation certified helmet, which will have a DOT sticker on the back, above the neck line. SNELL is an independent helmet certification that exceeds DOT standards and is found on more expensive brands such as Arai, Shoei and AGV. Helmets are available in half or full face design. Half helmets cover only your skull and have little or no protection for your eyes. Full helmets cover your skull and jaw while offering interchangeable eye protection that is tinted for different riding environments.
A full-face helmet should fit snug about your head with little to no side-to-side play at the cheeks, ear protection and no obstruction in vision. While helmets are not mandated federally, most states require operators and passengers to wear a DOT-certified helmet because studies have found properly worn helmets save lives and minimize injuries. Like an airbag, a helmet is meant to work once and should be replaced after any accident.
While riders are not required to wear any additional safety equipment, proper motorcycle riding gear will improve a rider's comfort, allowing more attention to be spent on the road and spotting hazards in the road ahead. A motorcycle jacket should be made of leather or synthetic material such as Kevlar with removable padding on the shoulders, elbows and built-in padding around the kidneys.
Good riding jackets should include a removable liner for cold days and a full-length zipper around the waist to attach to riding pants. Pants are available in leather and synthetic and should have removable padding at both knees and on the hips. Gloves should be made of leather and with padding on the palms and knuckles and secured with Velcro straps below the hand and around the wrist.
A gloves thickness depends on rider preferences and riding conditions as thicknesses range from thin leather to waterproof and heavily insulated. Boots should rise above the ankles and made of durable leather and work best when made with an oil-resistant sole built atop a steel shank. Although wearing proper riding gear can be cumbersome, so is walking with a limp.
Charles Bloom is a lover of politics, food, and literature, and writing. You can find some of his writings on motorcycling protections at Motoprotections.com
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Exploring the Complexities of Alcohol Use Disorder: Definitions and Diagnosis
- Discover the Benefits of Modern Off-Plan Properties in Casares, Malaga in Spain
- Celebrities Flock to the Maldives for Unmatched Holiday Escapes
- Top 10 Reasons to Integrate the Enhanced Planning Pack for Business Central
- Making the Most of Your Garden This Summer: Growing Herbs and Spices
- The Benefits of Good Posture: Health, Aesthetics, and Confidence
- The Transformative Power of Yamaigel’s Certified Gel Eye Masks
- Checking account with cell phone protection!
- Keeping Cool This Summer: Air Conditioning Installation Services in Milwaukee
- A DIY Guide to Fixing Your Garage Door (with a Call to Garage Door Magnolia When All Else Fails!)
- Can a Bent Garage Door Be Bent Back into Shape? Don't Panic, Call Kiki Garage Door!
- How Can I Tell If My Garage Door Opener Sensor Is Bad?
- Maximizing Profitability: The Economics Behind Customizable Design Assets
- Exploring the Hidden Gems of Si Racha, Thailand
- DIY vs. Professional Movers: Pros and Cons in 2024
- MK Web Celebrates Top Position in Bourne's Premier Web Design Rankings
- The Road to Sobriety: Understanding Substance Use Disorders
- MotorKote Ultimate 40/60 Synthetic Hyper Mix 5W-30
- Exploring Denver on a Dime: A Frugal Travel Guide
- Top 10 Ways Production Scheduling in Business Central Transforms Manufacturing
- Strength Training and it's Incredible Benefits for Fat Burning
- Enhancing Home Security with Aluminum Shutters: A Focus on Weatherwell Elite
- 5 Easy Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Fun for the Whole Family
- Transforming Plastic Extrusion Machines into Recycling Powerhouses
- Unraveling the Potential of Plastic Extrusion Machines
- The Rise of Plastic Recycling Machines: A Step Towards Sustainability
- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream: OMG! Unreal!
- The Advantages of Using Professional Home Cleaners in Ilford
- 8 Compelling Reasons to Hire Professional Home Cleaners
- The 12 Steps Narcotics Anonymous Program To Recovery