I just read an outstanding article by Stan Henderson, Indiana State University associate professor of health and safety. He states among other things that:
“Frequently, a vehicle will hit a motorcyclist because they don’t see them,” Henderson said. “This is partially due to the fact that they aren’t looking for them, but also because motorcyclists are just harder to see. This is why we have the law that motorcyclists have to have their headlight on all the time. It’s important for cyclists to be as conspicuous as possible.”
Most States have laws that require biker and riders of motorcycles to keep their headlight on at all times even during the day for this exact reason. Most if not all production motorcycles built these days do not have a switch to allow you to turn off the headlight. The light turns on with the motorcycle.
I have personally observed some motorcycles that have had a headlight switch installed to allow the headlight to be turned off. This is a huge mistake. Professor Henderson and I both agree that one of the keys to motorcycle safety is to be seen by cagers (people driving cars, trucks, SUV’s etc.)
Professor Henderson goes on to state in his article that: “There are several things riders can do to keep their excursions safe and enjoyable, according to Henderson:
– Gear: Wear light colors, with reflective materials on the upper body at night. Newer materials, such as mesh, keep the body cooler.
“We used to recommend leather,” Henderson said, “and while that provides protection, it also tends to hold in the heat.”
Body armor made with newer fabrics has key padding where a person might contact the roadway if they go off the cycle, Henderson says, and it’s not as hot.
Riding gear not recommended includes: shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, and flip-flops.
“If there is a crash, your bare skin is going to collide with the pavement, and we know which loses,” he said. “This will cause increased trauma to the body and there will be a less likely chance of full recovery.”
I highly recommend that you read Professor Henderson’s article on Motorcycle Safety by Clicking Here Now.
By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2007
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Great story and important recommendations! Having been behind the Arrive Alive road safety website in South Africa I would like to agree that common sense and being visible are the most important recommendations -bith for bikers and cyclists!
I fail to understand why everyone insists on wearing black while traveling on a motorcycle. The Fonzi look is a fashion trend that died a long time ago. Is the gang biker look alike style getting you the respect you think you deserve. Join the trend of motorcycle safety and you may never know the pain you avoided by not being creamed by some distracted soccer mom busy talking on a cell phone in her SUV. You may not think you look real stylish wearing safety green, but those open back hospital gowns aren’t exactly trendy.
Well David I disagree that everyone who wears black leather is trying to emulate a gang biker look. Hell I wear Black leather and always have because almost all leather motorcycle riding jackets going back to the 70’s when I started riding are black.
You are correct about it being important to try to be as visible as possible, but even that does not work sometimes. How do you explain the trend of drunks running into the backs of police vehicles on the side of the road with their lights flashing?
I think it is good for you to express your opinion, but it would be better received by the biker community if you did not try to force your views down everyone’s throat by calling them gang biker look alikes.
Norm