Ten tips for safe motorcycle rides

The weather at Easter invites you to get back on your motorcycle after the winter break. Motorcycle trips can be planned again and the motorcycle is also often used as a means of transport in everyday life.

In order to make the transition from the long winter break to the “single-lane” smooth, the ARBÖ has put together the following tips:

• Tip 1: Before your first ride, check the sticker (§57a) for validity and check the technical functions such as lighting, fluid levels, tire pressure as well as the motorcycle chain and chain tension. 
• Tip 2: Wear appropriate motorcycle clothing to limit the consequences of an accident. These include: abrasion-resistant long trousers, long-sleeved jackets with protectors, appropriate motorcycle gloves, sturdy shoes and a crash helmet. Motorcycle retailers also offer special airbag jackets for motorcyclists. 
• Tip 3: At the beginning of the season, start with shorter rides and slowly get used to riding a motorcycle again. 
• Tip 4: Adapt your driving style to the road conditions and be particularly careful on gravel and broken asphalt surfaces. 
• Tip 5: Drive with foresight and maintain the lane (in the middle of the lane) and make yourself visible to other road users. The following applies to drivers: Be considerate of bikers (pay more attention to the blind spot).
• Tip 6: Drive at an appropriate speed and keep a sufficient distance from other road users. 
• Tip 7: Do not perform any daring overtaking maneuvers.
• Tip 8: Pay attention to the loading weight (side cases and panniers) and the correct weight distribution. 
• Tip 9: Anyone traveling with passengers should take note of the longer braking distance and the changed handling of the machine (particularly in curves). 
• Tip 10: To be on the safe side, the ARBÖ recommends special warm-up training in one of the three ARBÖ driving safety centers. Vision techniques, leaning positions and anticipatory driving are practiced so that the motorcycle season runs safely and accident-free. More information is available at www.ich-fahr-sicher.at