Rev up your knowledge on motorcycle safety

The roar of the engine, the wind in your hair €“ there€™s nothing quite so liberating as riding your motorbike.

Accidents do happen on the road though, and sadly an average of 2,400 motorcycle crashes are reported each year in NSW alone. These crashes make up 14 per cent of all fatalities and 9 per cent of all injuries on NSW roads. Over the last five years, motorcycle accidents in NSW have also increased by 18 per cent.*

As motorcycle accidents continue to increase it€™s important that riders try to be as safe as possible on the roads. Here are just a few tips to help you while riding your motorcycle:

Use qualified trainers and build up your riding hours
When you are first going for your motorbike license, make sure you book with an accredited trainer with extensive skills and experience. Practising with an accredited trainer will set you up for a safe and enjoyable ride, and will also be a great opportunity for you to ride in a controlled environment.

You also need to take your bike out in all weather conditions and traffic scenarios as much as you can. The better you understand your limitations and your motorbike€™s limitations, the more likely you are to avoid unnecessary incidents.

Buy a quality helmet and protective clothing
All the riding experience in the world will not save your head or body if you get thrown from your motorbike. A quality helmet, jacket, pants, boots and gloves, with high visibility reflectors, could save you from severe injury or even a fatal accident.

Respect all road users
As a safe and responsible motorcycle rider you€™ll recognise that everyone has a right to use the road. If you stick to the road rules and never assume that other road users have seen you when you are manoeuvring through traffic, it will help to avoid unnecessary incidents.

Don€™t ride if you€™re tired
Never ever ride your motorcycle if you feel tired or fatigued. Your lack of concentration and your slowed ability to react may make for a deadly cocktail. When you ride tired, you put yourself and others around you at a high risk of being in an accident.

Rhonda Prentice is part of the NRMA Insurance team. NRMA Insurance offer motorcycle insurance and motorcycle insurance quotes for NSW, ACT and TAS as well as tips for motorcycle riders on safety and security.

Tags: gloves, lack of concentration, motorcycle accidents, motorcycle crashes, motorcycle rider, protective clothing, road rules, road users, weather conditions