May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Reader Contribution by Farmers Insurance
Published on May 3, 2017
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Since motorcyclists accounted for approximately 13 percent of all motor vehicle crashes in 2015, safety should be on the minds of all riders regardless of experience or type of bike. In fact, collision with other vehicles is the most common cause of motorcycle claims at Farmers Insurance, and accounted for 78 percent of all motorcycle claims filed with the insurer group between 2014 and 2016. Below are some tips from Farmers Insurance to help riders minimize the possibility of an accident on the road:

Safety first. Riders can help decrease the chances of an accident before they even get on the bike by performing a motorcycle safety check. A proper safety check means taking a walk around the bike to check for safety issues, measuring the tire pressure and checking for tire cracks, ensuring the blinkers are functional and unobstructed, and adjusting the mirrors properly.
Stay focused, stay safe. The pre-ride safety check is the time to make any adjustments—not when a rider is already on the bike. Adjusting a mirror mid-ride may seem harmless, but anything that distracts a rider from the road could prove disastrous. This goes for cell phones or other electronics, too, which should always remain in a saddle bag any time the bike is in use.
Pick the right helmet. It should go without saying, but safety gear is incredibly important for riders. All helmets should be Department of Transportation-compliant, which riders can easily identify by looking for the DOT/Snell sticker on the inside or outside of the helmet or visiting helmetcheck.org.
Get bulky. Always opt for more coverage when picking safety gear, like pants instead of shorts and riding boots over basic close-toed shoes. Riders should make sure their gear is in good shape before getting on the bike.

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