Road Hazards Every Motorcyclist Should Know
If you’re a fan of motorcycles (and you probably are because why else would you be interested in this article?), you know there’s nothing quite like riding it down an open road. You can’t really get that feeling anywhere else and it’s almost addicting. But that perfect image of fresh air, picturesque road and your cool shiny motorcycle can be interrupted by so many things, you can hardly think of all of them.
Gravel, potholes, random oil patches, blind curves… Whew, it’s a lot already and we’ve just barely scratched the surface. But it’s not all so bad. After all, everything in life comes with risks and the secret sauce that makes it all okay is being aware of them and knowing how to handle them if they rear their ugly heads.
So, buckle up and let’s see what to watch out for.
The 5 Most Common Dangers on the Road for Motorcyclists
As far as road hazards go, motorcyclists have it worse than car drivers because of the motorcycle’s size and the way they keep their balance.
This means that, what’s a minor annoying thing for a car could be a danger for those on two wheels.
1. Gravel and Loose Debris
These are so common, there’s no escaping them whatever you do, so be prepared. Gravel and loose debris are especially common on rural roads or near construction sites because those surfaces aren’t maintained as well as main roads are.
If you hit loose gravel, your bike will probably lose traction, so skidding or tipping over aren’t that unlikely. So, if you can’t escape this, what do you do? Well, you’ll see gravel and debris on the road, so slow down before you reach it and don’t do anything sudden, like braking or steering abruptly.
If you do, your bike could lose balance and before you know it, you’ll be lying on the concrete next to that gravel you tried to avoid.
2. Potholes and Uneven Road Surfaces
Potholes are annoying if you’re in a car. If you’re on a motorcycle, those sudden jolts won’t get absorbed as easily so unless you slow down, you’re in for something really, really uncomfortable. Plus, uneven surfaces on roads can catch your tires, which means you could lose control over your bike – which is dangerous (especially if you’re driving fast).
Make sure not to get lost in your thoughts, no matter how relaxing the drive is, and if you can avoid going over a pothole – do it. Slow down, steer around it and you’re golden.
Also, if you’re driving in a familiar area, you probably already know what the roads are like, so slow down on ones that are janky.
3. Slippery Roads
Wet roads and oil spills will mess up your tire grip and the slickness can cause your bike to slide. If this happens, you’ll have a hard time controlling your bike.
Common sense says that you need to slow down in wet conditions, but a lot of people think they’re an exception to that. You’re not, especially on a bike! Apart from slowing down, refrain from suddenly braking or speeding up, and keep your distance from other vehicles.
If you happen to get in an accident that’s a result from a road that wasn’t maintained, don’t just brush it off. You need experienced legal help to help you find your way with claims, like what you’ll find with lawyer/attorney.
How do you find a good lawyer with a good reputation? Easy. Simply look them up online. You can use the following method regardless of where you live.
Just type in something like “injury lawyer near me” into Google. And for example, if you live in Chicago, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC will pop up. If you live in another town/city, other nearby options will appear/be suggested.
And the best thing about it is that you can also check their Google ratings, and you can also check their website for more info. This way you’ll know if the ones you found will be able to meet your expectations/criteria.
But the best thing, really, is simply to call them once you have the contact information. This way, you get to ask your questions, and get some useful answers straight away.
4. Rain and Hydroplaning
Rain puts a damper on visibility, but that’s not all it does unfortunately. It creates a layer of water on the road that can cause hydroplaning, which is what happens when the tires lose contact with the road and skim over the water instead.
This is extremely dangerous because slippery roads (due to rain) can cause you to completely lose control over your bike, and we don’t need to tell you what that could do. If it’s raining out, use appropriate rain gear to help you see better and make sure the tires are in good condition and inflated.
Also, be on alert for the first rains after summer (early autumn rains). This is because all the dust, debris, and oils from vehicles that have accumulated over the dry season will now be splattered all over the surface of the road, like an invisible, thin layer. You can’t see it, but it can be extremely deadly if there is speeding involved.
And does it even need to be mentioned that you have to slow down and avoid any sudden maneuvers?
5. Snow and Ice
Snow and ice can be dangerous if you’re on foot, so if you’re on a motorcycle, you have to be extra careful.
Both snow and ice have a big impact on traction, which means you can’t just use any ol’ tires; you need winter tires because they are designed to be extra grippy in winter conditions. Again – watch your speed and no sudden braking or accelerating because that’s funny only in cartoons.
Keep in mind that you should really only ride your bike in winter conditions if it’s absolutely necessary. You might miss your bike rides during the colder months, but it’s not worth the risk.
Conclusion
And that’s pretty much it. If you’re driving a motorcycle, or are planning on doing so, this quick article gave you a perspective of what the potential dangers are. And simply by knowing them, there is now a much lesser chance of them happening. Simply because of awareness.
Bicycles are fun, and they CAN be safe, but that depends on you, the driver (mostly).
Just be careful, mindful of other participants on the road, and well… just use some good ol’ common sense; this way, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself without any fear tickling your mind.
Image credit: Depositphotos