Celebrate National Motorcycle Day The Right Way

October 10th, or 10/10 in short form, is a very special day for motorcycle enthusiasts in America. That day, for 2020, is known as National Motorcycle Ride Day, an occasion marked on the second Saturday of every October. It’s the day when people that love and own motorcycles make their enthusiasm known by riding out with pride to mark the occasion.

National Motorcycle Ride Day commemorates a few different milestones. Of course, the primary occasion is a celebration of the motorcycle itself. Still, October marks a particular time in motor vehicle history. It was in October of 1887 that John B. Dunlop created the pneumatic tire. It was this critical invention that gave motor vehicles the traction, flexibility, elasticity, and shock absorption needed to traverse roads reliably without needing constant maintenance.

Without the pneumatic tire, America’s reliance on motor vehicles to propel personal and professional life wouldn’t have been possible. To mark the occasion this October, we ask that all Florida residents who want to show their support of the day go out and do so safely, to make it a great day for everyone. Here are a few ways to do that.

Wear A Helmet

About 20 years ago, Florida gave riders over 21 a bit more choice in how they wanted to ride their motorcycles. Helmets became optional for any rider considered an adult. However, even though helmets are not required, that doesn’t mean adults are somehow safer than children if they choose not to wear a helmet.

The head is the most critical part of your body, containing your brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. This means any impact with a motorcycle can do vast amounts of damage to an unprotected heat. A helmet does a lot to minimize serious injury.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

In the same vein as wearing a helmet, the temptation to ride under the Florida sun in just a t-shirt and shorts is understandable. However, unlike a car or truck, motorcycle riders have no protection whatsoever from the environment.

Because riders have no seat belts or other protective structures, getting thrown from a vehicle in a collision is a high likelihood. Wearing dedicated “motorcycle riding leathers” or other heavily layered clothing can mitigate just how serious abrasion based injuries can be in the event of an accident, as well as protect riders from other environmental hazards like rain.

Ride Within Your Limits

Motorcycles are fast, powerful, nimble vehicles. In the hands of a professional, these vehicles are capable of impressive speeds and tight maneuvers on the road. However, most people are not at that skill level, though the temptation to try out high speed, high-risk maneuvers is a tempting one.

Resist the temptation and drive safely within your own skill level. Trying to do more on the road than you are confidently capable of can injure you and others on the road.

Ride Defensively

A motorcycle is one of the smallest vehicles on the road, and it’s very easy for drivers in cars and semi-trucks to miss one. Driving defensively means having an awareness of the vehicles around you, and not making assumptions that they know you are there when you attempt to change lanes, or even when they do.

Always be prepared to react in a timely, defensive manner to other drivers in their vehicles who may inadvertently make moves on the road without realizing you’re in that space.

Respect The Weather

One of Florida’s most significant advantages for motorcyclists is that the warm, year-long temperatures make it possible to ride a motorcycle throughout that year. However, that doesn’t mean that weather does not affect road conditions. Heavy rainfall mixed with the state of certain roads can have a considerable effect on traction.
Try to ride your motorcycle with an eye toward the weather and how it affects your travel. Slow down and take the weather into account.

Keep Your Distance

Regardless of whether you’re in a motorcycle or a car, the more distance you maintain between yourself and another vehicle, the more reaction time you have available if something unexpected happens ahead. Motorcycles are smaller, faster, and more agile than other cars on the road, which can be advantageous in an emergency setting.
However, as with cars and trucks, “tailgating” another vehicle and staying too close to its rear gives riders little time to react. And with a lack of seatbelts, a collision has a high likelihood of being thrown.

Take Lessons

If you want yourself or your family members to be safer on motorcycles, invest in professional motorcycle riding lessons. This can also help with insurance premiums by getting lower rates for proof that safety lessons have been taken.

So not only are you safer, you save money too! Of course, if you do get injured through the negligence of someone else on the road, take legal action. Talk to one of our motorcycle accident attorneys to find out what your next move should be.