Riding a motorcycle can provide a person with a certain thrill and a lot of enjoyment. Motorcycle group riding with friends or those who are just as passionate about biker life can even be more fun. With the cool wind in your hair, a group of buddies close by and nothing but the open road in front of you, what’s there to worry about?
Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that between the years of 2001 and 2008, more than 34,000 motorcyclists were killed, and more than 1,222,000 persons were admitted to and treated in an E.R. for a non-fatal motorcycle-related injury. These numbers show that, as fun as group riding can be, making sure that you take the proper safety precautions this summer is of the utmost importance. If you love motorcycle group rides, here are a few tips that can help keep you and your group members safe while on the road:
Decide a Riding Order
Before motorcycle group riding, make sure everyone holds a meeting where a few things can be established. One of the most important decisions that your group should decide before getting on the road is your riding order.
The first two positions to be determined should be the person who will ride in the front of the pack (the leader) and the person who will take up the rear (the sweep rider). Because the leader is in charge of making important decisions and informing the group of what’s ahead, this person should be a highly experienced rider. Next, decide how the rest of the formation will look, with the least experienced riders being near the front, directly behind the leader and the more experienced riders hanging toward the back. Prior to a group ride, riders and their friends may want to consider taking safety courses for beginners.
Stagger Your Formation
Once you’ve decided upon a riding order and you hit the road, make sure everyone knows that staggering your formation is ideal for enhanced safety. Staggering your formation refers to lining up riders as such: leader in the left lane, second rider behind and in the right lane, third rider behind and in the left lane, etc.
Staggering your formation allows everyone plenty of space while still keeping the motorcycle group riding together and is the safest way to ride. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that motorcyclists make themselves visible to other motorists and that helmets are always worn.
Come Prepared and Take Breaks when Needed
Before leaving, the motorcycle group riding together should pool resources and pack the necessities. This should include plenty of gas and knowledge of when you’ll stop to refill, a first-aid kit, a cell phone, a repair kit, extra water, etc. By coming prepared, you may be able to prevent a problem or more easily alleviate it if one does occur.
Finally, make sure that during your ride, you take breaks when necessary. The risk of motorcycle accidents is heightened when riders are fatigued or distracted.
If You’ve Been in a Motorcycle Group Riding Accident
While safety precautions can help reduce your risk of being injured while motorcycling, accidents do occur that are often out of a person’s control. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycling accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible to receive compensation.
The attorneys at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. will provide you with a free case review and can help guide you through the claims-filing process. Call us today at 800-550-0000 to get started.
