When you find something you love, it’s only natural to want to share it with someone else. Riding in a group is great fun but can also put you at risk for a serious Maryland motorcycle accident. Here are five tips to help keep you safe:
- Follow the Leader. Typically, the person riding in the front of the group is the most experienced rider. It is this lead rider’s role to keep the group organized, together and safe. Trust the rider’s skills and pay attention to the guidelines he or she sets out for the group.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings. Just because the rider in front is looking out for you doesn’t mean that you should relax too much. It’s easy to get a little lazy and start staring at the back of the rider directly in front of you, especially on a long ride. Keep in mind that you still have a responsibility to be on the lookout for any potential hazards to yourself or to others in the group.
- Space It Out. When you’re riding in a group, it’s important that you pay close attention to your personal space. Make sure that you are far enough from other riders on all sides. This is especially critical when you’re riding along a particularly narrow pathway or through a potentially hazardous spot.
- Communicate Safely. Leaning over on your bike and yelling at the rider next to you is probably not the safest form of communication. Instead, familiarize yourself with proper motorcycle riding hand signals and use them to communicate effectively and safely with other riders.
- Handle Separation Wisely. It’s easy for a large group of motorcycle riders to become separated. For example, a light can turn red before all the riders get through an intersection, or heavy traffic can cause the group to become scattered. Avoid the temptation to run a red light in an effort to keep up with the rest of the group. Instead, have pre-planned meeting points for these types of unavoidable separations.
If you’ve found this article helpful, you may also want to check out our library section for more defensive driving tips.
| Related Links: |