The smartest motorcyclists know how important it is to follow traffic rules, defensive driving techniques and know motorcycle safety. This is why the smartest motorcyclists tend to live the longest. Their passengers are also less likely to get hurt because a cautious motorcyclist knows they should never take risks with a passenger on board.
In order to stay extra safe when you have a passenger riding on your motorcycle, here are a couple tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t take risks. Maybe you get lazy with your safety technique or take little risks from time to time when you’re driving on your own. If a passenger is riding with you, though, you owe it to him or to be as safe and careful as possible.
- Teach your passenger not to get on your bike until after you turned on the engine. This will make sure your bike offers a stable base for him or her to mount.
- Your passenger should sit as close to you as possible. Even if it’s your guy or gal friend — and there’s no inkling of romance between your — get him or her to scoot up close to you as it will help your balance tremendously.
- Tell your passenger to keep his or her legs and feet away from the muffler to avoid getting burned.
- Instruct the passenger to hold onto your hips and waist firmly — or straps if you have them — and to lean the way you lean to help with cornering.
- Never let your passenger ride without a helmet.
By following these tips, you’ll have a better chance of keeping your motorcycle passengers as safe as possible — and motorcycle injury free — while you enjoy the beautiful country roads outside Atlanta. If you happen to get seriously hurt by a negligent driver in spite of your safety efforts, know that the law is probably on your side.