Learning Center

Motorcycle Safety Tips

Be safe on the open road.

There are more than six million motorcycles cruising down our highways, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To these riders, nothing compares to the freedom of the open road.

Before revving your engine, pay close attention to the following NHTSA tips for preventing injuries and fatalities on the road.

Before you ride

• Attend a motorcycle rider training course and practice, practice, practice.
• If you’re an experienced rider, consider taking a refresher course to sharpen your skills.
• Wear protective attire, including a helmet, eye protection, shoes, gloves, long sleeves and pants. Also, wear brightly-colored or reflective material to help other motorists spot you.
• Before you ride with a passenger onboard, make sure you’ve had plenty of solo experience.

Drive defensively

• Be alert – especially at intersections where 50 percent of motorcycle collisions occur.
• Watch road surfaces for hazards like potholes, oil slicks, puddles and uneven surfaces.
• Don’t ride in other motorists’ blind spots.
• Use your headlights day and night.
• Don’t tailgate or weave between lanes. Give yourself space and time to respond to other motorists’ actions.
• Avoid riding in the rain. If you must travel, don’t ride on painted lines and metal surfaces because they offer less traction.
• Never drink and ride!

Additional motorcycle safety resources

For more information about motorcycle safety, visit these sites:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Research, training tools, choosing the right helmet, videos.
• Motorcycle Safety Foundation – Training course information, safety tips.