Make sure your helmet is in good condition:
Replace it after a shock or every 5 to 7 years because wear, sun and bad weather alter the qualities of the hull. Also protect your eyes against insects and gravel. For example, if you wear a jet or bowl helmet, opt for very resistant glasses. Do you need to change your helmet? Make sure that the desired helmet is approved and never buy a second-hand helmet, it may have had a shock without it being apparent.
Since January 1, 2016, the high-visibility vest is mandatory equipment for the driver of two wheels. The absence of a high-visibility vest is subject to a penalty. In the event of an emergency immobilization of your motorcycle on the road, you must wear a high-visibility vest and take shelter while waiting for help. And for more safety, it is strongly recommended to wear it while driving, especially in the event of insufficient visibility (night or day in foggy weather, rain, etc.).
Also note that failure to wear certified gloves has been sanctioned since November 2016 (fine and deduction of a point on the licence). Don’t forget that your passenger is as vulnerable as you and can also be penalized if you fail to wear the mandatory personal protective equipment. He too must protect himself.
– Luke Carrascosa
Have you thought about the airbag vest?
75% of motorcyclists are injured in the abdomen, chest or spine. The airbag vest protects the upper body and thus all the vital parts exposed in the event of an accident. It also maintains the alignment of the head, neck and trunk axis, and thus helps to avoid “whiplash”. It therefore helps to reduce the possible consequences of a fall. Source: Road Safety – press release of 08/04/2019
To drive your motorized two-wheeler, you must have all your abilities and obviously not be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
Watch constantly your speed your safety distances the condition of the road, in particular the presence of dead leaves, markings on the ground, gravel that are slippery the behavior of other users, which you must anticipate
turn on your lights must be on do not weave between cars and do not go up the queues do not suddenly change lanes or direction do not overtake on the right systematically use your indicators to allow motorists to anticipate your changes of direction Beware of unbridled cyclists ! The tires and the braking system are adapted to the engine capacity of the two-wheeler. By unleashing the engine, the moped becomes an uncontrollable rolling object! This practice is prohibited by law. In the event of an accident, you run the risk of not being insured and, in the event of an inspection, your machine will be immobilized or confiscated.
Maintain your two-wheeler Check regularly :
1. tire condition and pressure 2. fork oil, chain tension, brake pads and fluid 3. operation of lights and indicators 4. battery – inactivity, short trips and lights affect its efficiency 5.the cleanliness of mirrors, lights and side and rear reflective devices Going on vacation: Make an appointment with your usual mechanic for a service before leaving on vacation. Otherwise, check the equipment yourself. Plan your route: Drive on the days with the least traffic. For example, the day before or the day after a day classified as “black”. Sleep well the nights before your trip. And don’t leave after a day’s work without having rested. On the journey, hydrate yourself regularly – at least 1.5 liters of water per day. And above all, take breaks of 10 to 20 minutes every 2 hours.
When riding at night or when visibility is reduced, motorcyclists must ensure that they are always visible to other drivers. Since 2004, users traveling on motorized two-wheelers must imperatively switch on their daytime running lights or their dipped beam headlights whenever they are driving, even during the day.
All their lights must also be in perfect working order as part of a roadside check. Regarding the drivers themselves, they are strongly advised to wear light-coloured or highly visible protective clothing and equipment, even if black is an extremely common color among motorcyclists. If their safety equipment does not include reflective light bands, these users are invited to add reflective armbands to their clothing to make themselves more visible. Finally, these drivers must not forget that they too have the obligation to wear a high-visibility vest in the event of an emergency, such as following a breakdown or immobilization on the shoulder, for example.
Some user-related hazards:
While motorcyclists must be very careful when riding alone on their motorized vehicle, they must be even more vigilant when transporting a passenger or when riding among a group of motorcyclists, in order to ensure the safety of all during their journey. Traveling with a passenger driving a motorized two-wheeler while carrying a passenger changes a lot of things for the user. In fact, the vehicle no longer responds in the same way, and other users will no longer necessarily be able to see the motorcyclist, his light reflectors and the movements he makes. He must therefore ensure that the passenger is equipped with safety equipment, which will have their own light strips, because the presence of the passenger can mask the light strips of the driver. The passenger must also follow the driver’s instructions to the letter in order to best assist him during their journey. He will have to follow the movements of the driver in the curves, or even wait to be in a straight line to adjust his position. Transporting a passenger on the back of a motorcycle.
Riding in a group of bikers:
It is not uncommon to come across a larger or smaller group of motorcyclists traveling together in the same direction during a trip. In this case, users must take care to maintain their safety distances, their speed and stay in their place in the group, in order not to surprise other motorcyclists. Motorcyclists must also ensure that the other drivers in their group are well concentrated, and that they do not make mistakes linked to distractions or fatigue, and which would be likely to cause incidents whose repercussions could be important. Finally, group riding on a motorcycle must remain a matter of passion and a moment of conviviality. Rules must therefore be put in place between the members of the group in order to ensure that each driver respects the Highway Code, and that they do not force users with less experience of driving motorized two-wheelers to exceed their limits.
– Luke Carrascosa