How Riding Defensively Can Help Riders Stay Safe

Defensive motorcycle riding seems to be the only possible solution that can help reduce the risks of bike crashes. It is the most sensible approach to tackle distracted drivers, increase road awareness, and improve road safety. However, defensive riding is not as simple as it sounds. Riders must learn first what it means to ride defensively. It isn’t a single thing. There are so many things involved under the aspect of riding defensively.

Once you start riding defensively, you are more secure on the road than ever. Riding defensively is one step ahead of riding safely. It doesn’t only involve riding safely but also making sure you stay sensible and aware. It also means to always stay alert, watch out for any threat from other road users, and predict any abnormal behavior around you. This is what riding defensively actually sounds like. Keep on reading this article to learn how riding defensively can help riders stay safe.

Defensive Riding involves:

• Staying sensible.

• Focus on mitigating all risks.

• Staying aware.

• Focus on proactive awareness.

• Staying alert.

• Watch out for any threat.

• Anticipate potential hazards.

• Watch out for distracted drivers and riders.

• Anticipate actions of other road users.

• Predict abnormal behavior around you.

• Maintaining a safe distance.

• Watch out for any road imperfections.

• Avoiding crashes.

• Scanning the road ahead.

• Riding slowly.

• Staying sober.

Safety riding is a basic safety riding tip that every rider will tell you. It is a must for a rider to wear a DOT-approved helmet and full riding gear, including a leather jacket, pants, boots, and gloves. Also, following all the riding safety rules and traffic laws is a major part of safe riding. However, as far as riding defensively is concerned, it is not enough.

You cannot claim 100% safety while riding a motorbike if you are just riding safely. You have to be defensive and consider everyone a threat to your safety. When you are riding defensively, you are aware of every possible threat that may come your way.

A cute little kitten on the roadside may be a lovely scene to watch. However, when it comes to riding defensively, even the same cute little kitten can be a threat to your safety. It can become a reason for your road crash.

You must not expect other riders and drivers to behave sensibly and protect you. You are responsible for your own safety. This is what riding defensively means. It ensures extreme protection from road hazards.

When you ride defensively, you are aware enough to anticipate all the risks and threats. When you get out of your comfort zone, your home, and start riding a motorbike on the road, you know you are exposed to many threats. Acknowledging all these threats and having a counteraction or defensive approach can help you be safe.

It is not about being afraid and not enjoying the motorbike ride. Every bike rider deserves to be safe. If we all ride and drive defensively, our roads will be a safer place, and we can enjoy riding as much as we can.

When you anticipate risks or dangers beforehand, you have an action plan in mind. Our brain and muscle memory will be prepared for any sort of threat on the road. Defensive riding is not about burdening your mind and stiffening your body muscles; it is about having a defensive strategy beforehand.

Also, the anticipation comes with time. You learn how to respond to any threat over time. Riding defensively is a process.

When you ride defensively, you are very much aware of your surroundings. However, this also comes with riding experience. If you are a native, you will be familiar with the roads, traffic, and riders’ behavior. This naturally develops a sense of safety and how you will react to a certain situation.

Awareness is not about putting too much pressure on your head while riding, it is about looking for a safe passage. Being aware while riding a bike on the road is not only about looking for distracted and irresponsible riders and drivers. It involves every threat including pedestrians, heavy traffic, a pothole, or even a small stone on the road that can become a reason of a road crash.

Only by being aware of such threats can you respond in a timely manner to avoid a drastic situation.

Another very important safety riding tip is to maintain a good following distance from both the front and approaching vehicles. This defensive riding tip is crucial to maintaining an overall safe riding environment. If every road user follows this and maintains a safe distance, roads will be much safer. If you don’t want to overburden yourself from being proactive and aware at all times, always keep a safe distance.

Maintaining a safe distance from the front and approaching vehicles allows riders to react safely. Riders have enough time to anticipate, think, and then react safely when faced with a threat. In a similar way, it provides every road user with the time and chance to protect themselves and other road users.

When you ride your bike defensively, you are avoiding aggressive riding behavior. This is the first thing that you will have to give up when you ride defensively. If you have a sports bike and you love aggressive riding, the race tracks are for you. The public roads are not designed to handle aggressive riding behavior.

The stats are very obvious. Riders who are involved in aggressive riding are more likely to experience a crash, receive severe injuries, and even die. Super sports bikes are among the most dangerous bikes due to being primarily built for high speeds and quick maneuvers.

The first oath you take when you choose to ride defensively is to avoid aggressive riding. There is nothing more vital than being safe and being able to ride. A few moments of thrill, fun, and aggressive riding are not at all better than not being able to ride at all.

The whole world is there for you to explore. So, avoid dying at the intersection. Ride safely, ride defensively.

There are bike riders riding their Harleys and loud sports bikes on the road. Similarly, performance cars and large vehicles also contribute to the noise pollution. When you are on the road, you don’t communicate the way you do normally. You cannot make someone understand your action or your next move through words. Therefore, you must learn how to communicate properly on the road through your bike’s turn signals, bike horn, and hand gestures.

There are many riders who consider themselves so experienced that they avoid using turn signals, horn, and hand gestures while riding. You may be skilled enough to escape a crash, but someone else may have to pay the price for your fault.

When you ride defensively, you use the turn signals, hand gestures, and other safety equipment to communicate effectively. Do not take turns or change lanes without using the turn signals.

Also, using the turn signal alone doesn’t mean you should change the lane now. You must check carefully whether there is a fast-moving vehicle approaching you from behind. If you are switching to a fast lane, the vehicle may fail to see your turn signal. You must also learn hand signals or gestures to ensure safe riding.

Another very vital aspect of defensive riding is to stay visible. This is especially important when you ride at night or when it is dark. Motorcycles, being small compared to cars and other vehicles, are less visible. Even a slightly distracted driver may fail to recognize a bike that suddenly appears in their vision.

As a bike rider, even if you ride slowly, defensively, and in the left most lane, you may still get hit by a driver if you are not visible. Therefore, improving your visibility is a major goal.

The first thing is to improve your lighting. Make sure your headlight is bright enough to light up the road in front of you. It must have a good range.

Secondly, your bike must be equipped with reflectors in different place. They must be placed on all sides and angles for better coverage. Other than that, you can also use reflecting vests, especially if you ride during the night. Wearing bright colored clothes and helmet too can help you stay more visible.

Besides following all the safety and defensive riding tips, make sure you ride in the left-most lane. The left-most lanes are usually dedicated to motorbikes. It is a slow-moving lane and therefore, a safe option for riders to avoid being at a dangerous spot.

Nonetheless, it is not a hard and fast rule that you are only allowed to ride in this lane and cannot switch. If you are supposed to ride fast, you can switch to the other lane only if it is allowed by the law. Also, if there is a risk of an accident in the left-most lane, you can switch to the other lane.

Strategic lane position is important while riding a motorbike. Try to avoid being under the blind spot of a car or a large vehicle.

Braking is the most important factor when it comes to safe riding. You need to learn this as a rider. Braking is not as simple as it sounds. It is not only about pressing the brake pedal and stopping the bike. It is about applying it at the right time and at the right speed. Until you don’t maintain a safe distance and ride slowly, you cannot learn how to brake safely.

There is a term known as ‘braking distance’. When you brake, you don’t stop immediately, and neither should you. It is because if you stop right at the moment when you apply the brakes, your bike will skid and likely crash. Therefore, braking distance is important. However, you must always consider this distance before you apply the brakes. This will help you know how much speed and distance you require to brake safely.

There are times when you should rely on the front braking, and there are times when you should rely on rear wheel braking. There also arise some emergency situations when you are supposed to apply both brakes at the same time to ensure the bike stops immediately. However, there is still the right way to do it.

At first, you must not ride above a certain speed limit. Braking becomes more challenging when you are riding fast. It is vital to know that all these things come under defensive riding.

Riding defensively also includes becoming familiar with road conditions and how the traffic behaves. Even a small obstacle on the road or a pothole can become a reason for a motorcycle crash if you don’t pay attention. Sometimes, even if you are fully aware, there is no way you can avoid the tiny obstacle on the road. Sometimes, while attempting to save other road users, you get yourself involved in a crash. These are all the factors that must be considered to ensure road safety.

It is not possible for all bike riders to be familiar with the roads and traffic behavior. However, do as much as you can. You can use apps to stay updated. You can also get to know about the weather forecast or weather conditions before going for a ride or planning a road trip. This can help you stay ahead of any bad situation.

A defensive rider knows when to be more alert and slow down. Your cognition and muscle memory will tell you if there is some unseen threat approaching you. It may not sound normal, but it is true. When you ride defensively, you avoid any movement that can cause you harm. Your body also reacts accordingly to avoid any unpleasant situation.

There are times that require more attention, including intersections and when overtaking. We all know that a large number of road accidents occur at intersections. If you are well prepared before the intersections, you are a safe rider.

Riding a motorcycle is quite fun and thrilling, but at times it may be quite risky if you don’t pay attention. When we talk about riding safety, most experts usually talk about wearing the proper riding gear and following the traffic laws. However, they aren’t enough.

On top of ride safety, riders must also consider defensive riding to ensure maximum safety. Consider everyone and everything a threat while you are riding your bike. This will make you more alert, aware, and responsive.