More and more people are riding motorcycles and scooters each year. While the lure of the endless blacktop calls out loudly to freedom loving motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere, serious dangers abound for those unwilling to respect the uncompromising nature of this thrilling mode of travel. Even if you are only planning short trips around town, you’re on dangerous ground if you don’t follow some basic guidelines.

Whether you’re an experienced rider or just starting up, the information below will help you to keep on riding – safely and smartly.

Learn to ride from an expert:

Relatives and friends may consider themselves “experts”, but nothing beats learning to how to ride from a program designed specifically for the purpose. Many important details are usually covered in a good program that might otherwise be missed by a friend or relative.Look here for information on a Riding Course near you. Another advantage of the program is that many insurance companies offer a motorcycle insurance discount to riders who have obtained their training from Gearing Up.

Use your brain – protect your head:

Canada and many other countries have nation wide motorcycle helmet laws but in the USA, it varies from State to State. It is extremely unwise to not wear a helmet, even if you justify it by telling yourself that “you’re not going far”, “you’re not going fast” or any other excuse that you can think of. The fact is you just never know what’s going to happen, and in every jurisdiction where motorcycle helmet laws have been relaxed, the rate of motorcycle fatalities and serious injury have increased dramatically. Remember, use your brain, and protect it.

All Gear All The Time:

Although safety gear is optional in all countries, it is extremely unwise to not wear it every time you ride. Time and time again riders give reasons for not wearing full gear, including “you’re not going far”, “you’re not going fast”, “its too hot to wear gear” or “it doesn’t look good”. Road Rash looks worse and can’t be taken off at the end of the day. Most responsible riders will tell you that they would rather sweat than bleed. Wearing protective riding gear is essential to reducing or eliminating serious injury in the event of a crash. Choose gear with armour padding with good abrasion protection, which include riding jacket & pants, boots and gloves.

Stand out in the crowd:

Visibility is key! Fluorescent clothing, light or white coloured helmets, and daytime headlights may help to reduce the chance of motorcycle injuries and death. It only makes sense to make sure that you can be seen by others on the road. A motorcycle has a significantly smaller profile than a car or truck, so take extra measures to ensure that others know that you’re there. When riding at night, be sure to wear gear with reflective trim or better yet, a reflective vest.

Slippery when wet:

Be extra cautious after the first rainfall following a dry spell. Within the first half hour, much of the oil that has accumulated on the road comes up, which makes for very slippery and dangerous conditions. In fact, wet conditions should always be reason for extra caution.

Look ahead, plan ahead:

Look as far down the road as you can. Make sure you are constantly scanning for things to avoid, like bumps, garbage, potholes, cracks, stones, spills, and puddles, etc. Also, observing how other vehicles are reacting to the road allows you to plan ahead for safety.

Practice makes perfect:

Try to practice various riding skills such as emergency braking, swerving, slow turns, and smooth throttle operation. It’s a good idea to set aside some regular time, where you can practice safety maneuvers in an area without people or traffic as you learn to ride.

Go solo for a while:

New riders should not carry passengers until they are very comfortable with their motorcycle. This should also be the case when changing bikes. Take some extra time to get used to your new bike.

Ride your motorcycle defensively:

Motorcycles are harder to see than cars or trucks, so for safety reasons, it’s best to pretend that you can’t be seen at all, and operate very defensively. In particular, be more cautious when entering turns and be extra alert at intersections, alleys and driveways. It’s wise to try to keep a large space cushion around your bike and avoid riding in peoples blind-spots.

Stunting – Take it to the Track:

There is a time and a place for practicing and performing stunts and it’s not on public roads. Performance riding and stunting, should only ever be done in a controlled environment like a race track or on private property, well away from innocent bystanders. Mastering these skills takes time and practice and mistakes/crashes are a part of that learning curve. Even professionals still crash from time to time, so public roads are never the place for this type of riding. Ontario, Canada even has an anti-stunting law which comes with harsh penalties including roadside license suspension and vehicle impoundment.

Beware of turning vehicles:

Beware of oncoming motorists turning left in front of you or turning right from a side street. These are the leading causes of death for motorcycle riders. Slow down before you enter an intersection and always have an escape route planned and keep a watchful eye on vehicles on side roads waiting to merge.

Consider your motorcycle insurance needs:

When choosing what motorcycle to buy, you might consider buying a cheaper bike with a relatively smaller engine, as it could be safer for you and may reduce what you will pay for your insurance coverage. These types of bikes are generally less costly to insure as they are less costly to repair, and they are also potentially safer, because they are easier to handle in the event of an emergency situation. It’s important to know exactly what your insurance covers and for what jurisdiction. You may need extra coverage if you’re biking to the United States and you will need separate coverage if you plan to ride your motorcycle in Mexico.