| Riding a motorcycle can be risky even for the most | | | | comfortable wearing. Cold hands do not make for |
| level-headed and cautious of riders, as demonstrated | | | | safe riding, since once they get too cold you risk |
| by Department for Transportation statistics showing | | | | losing control of the bike, so keep your hands extra |
| there were 21,550 reported motorcycle casualties in | | | | warm with heated gloves or even heated handlebars. |
| 2008, of which 6,049 resulted in death or serious | | | | Invest in some decent rainwear for those rainy days, |
| injury, and the risk obviously increases as weather | | | | and overall try to stay as warm and dry as possible. |
| and road conditions worsen. Some motorcyclists will | | | | It goes without saying that you need to be alert on |
| retire their bikes during winter months but for many, | | | | wet and icy roads, keep your speed down and leave |
| particularly those who commute on their motorbikes, | | | | extra space between you and other vehicles to allow |
| that is not an option. However, by exercising extra | | | | those few added seconds of stopping time in an |
| caution and using common sense, it is possible to | | | | emergency. Beware of black ice and also bear in mind |
| minimise the risk. | | | | that on a sunny day there could still be ice on the |
| Experienced riders are familiar enough with their bike | | | | road, particularly in shady spots that the sun has not |
| to know how it handles, and how to ride safely. But | | | | reached, and be wary of rain slicked roads. Rainfall |
| since riding in winter is entirely different from riding in | | | | brings oily residue to the road surface, making the |
| summer, and for less experienced motorcyclists who | | | | roads especially slippery. Stay off painted lines when |
| have not yet ridden during the winter, it is worth | | | | possible, or be extra careful if crossing over them, |
| reminding oneself of the safety precautions that | | | | since they can become extremely slippery when wet. |
| should be taken. Remember though safety is never a | | | | It is generally advisable not to ride on snowy roads if |
| guarantee, regardless of how much care is taken, so | | | | it can be helped, but if you are out in the snow ride |
| be sure you are covered by appropriate motorbike | | | | slowly and avoid making sudden moves that could |
| insurance just in case. | | | | cause the bike to topple over or skid. Some |
| Safety steps that apply year round should be | | | | motorcyclists prefer to ride in car tracks that have |
| followed with particular vigilance in the winter. It | | | | already been made in the snow, thus avoiding fresh |
| makes sense to give the bike a quick once over | | | | snow that will spray up and decrease visibility and |
| before riding it, to make sure the tyres, lights and | | | | also get stuck in the tyres and lessen the tyres' grip, |
| brakes are in working order. When checking the | | | | in which case ride carefully on the compacted snow. |
| tyres, ensure the pressure and treads are in good | | | | As for those windy days, take care because there is |
| condition for handling icy or wet roads, and | | | | a risk of being blown off course slightly during high |
| remember that in colder temperatures it takes tyres | | | | winds and you should keep a vigilant eye out for any |
| longer to warm up and start gripping properly so be | | | | objects that might be blown in your path. |
| especially careful when heading out. | | | | Bike maintenance is also a key safety precaution. |
| It is crucial to verify the lights work properly since | | | | Snow, ice and the salt thrown down on roads after a |
| visibility is even more of an issue during poor weather | | | | snowfall can all build up on your bike, corroding it. So |
| conditions. Not only will fog or rain restrict what you | | | | wipe down your bike after every ride, or better yet |
| can see, it will make you harder to be seen, so make | | | | take out the hose and wash all the mess away. Your |
| yourself highly visible by wearing bright reflective | | | | bike needs to stay in top condition for you to ride |
| outer clothing and by keeping your headlight on. To | | | | safely. |
| help keep your own line of sight clear, make sure | | | | With practice comes experience, so the more winter |
| your mirrors and visor are clean and unscratched, and | | | | riding you do the more comfortable and confident |
| spray them with an anti-mister. Also be aware that | | | | you will become, just be sure to avoid complacency |
| visibility is still an issue on a bright, sunny winter's day, | | | | and remain alert and sensible at all times. The safety |
| when there is miraculously no rain, snow, fog or mist | | | | of you, your bike and everyone around you is at |
| in sight because the low winter sun that is blinding | | | | stake, so follow the necessary precautions, never |
| you is also blinding other drivers. | | | | treat riding during the winter lightly and if you still |
| Keeping warm may seem an odd safety tip but | | | | need an added incentive just remember that a clean |
| warmth is crucial since the colder you feel, the more | | | | record keeps your motorcycle insurance rates down |
| your concentration goes, so wear thin layers to keep | | | | so you will also be doing your wallet a favour by |
| body heat trapped and throw on whatever | | | | staying safe. |
| supplementary cold weather gear you are | | | | |