Avid motorcyclists typically want to be out on the road as much as possible. Even as the weather begins to cool down in Pennsylvania, you and many of your friends may still get your motorcycles out on the road and in the bracing weather. However, it is important to keep in mind that other drivers may think that riding motorcycles is a summer activity, and as a result, they could become less vigilant about watching for you and other motorcyclists on the roadways.
Of course, you likely already know that many drivers of bigger vehicles cannot be counted on to take motorcyclists’ safety into consideration. Far too many drivers are in a hurry and fail to look twice for these smaller vehicles. Unfortunately, this often leads to serious accidents in which the motorcyclists suffer severe harm.
Protecting yourself in the fall and winter months
If you do want to continue riding even as the weather cools drastically, you may want to keep some safety tips in mind. Even experienced motorcyclists could do with a refresher now and then. Some important details to remember include the following:
- Make sure your motorcycle is ready for winter riding, which could include changing the tires and ensuring that brakes are top notch.
- Remember that there are times when it is too cold to ride. When temperatures reach freezing or below, you and other motorcyclists are particularly susceptible to injuries like frostbite, and numb hands and feet make it more difficult to keep your motorcycle under control.
- Start your motorcycle and let it warm up before hitting the road in the cold.
- Stop frequently along your journey to warm up.
- Check on other riders in your group to make sure no one is feeling too cold or otherwise adversely affected by the weather.
- Try to keep your journeys to daylight hours, which may mean heading out earlier and getting home earlier with the short winter days.
Of course, even if you follow these tips and other helpful safety measures, you cannot control the actions of other drivers. In the event that another driver causes an accident due to recklessness or negligence and you suffer serious injuries as a result, you may face a long road to recovery. Under such circumstances, considering your legal options for seeking compensation for damages may be useful to you.