Motorcycle Awareness and National Bike Month

May is Motorcycle Awareness and National Bike Month.

National Motorcycle Bike Month is a month-long celebration held annually in the United States to promote motorcycle safety, awareness, and camaraderie among motorcycle enthusiasts. The month of May is designated as National Motorcycle Bike Month, and various events and activities are organized throughout the country to engage riders and raise awareness about motorcycle safety.

The origin of National Motorcycle Bike Month dates back to the early 1980s when the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), a leading advocacy organization for motorcyclists’ rights, started promoting May as Motorcycle Awareness Month. Over the years, the event has gained momentum and has been recognized by motorcycle clubs, organizations, dealerships, and individual riders across the country.

During National Motorcycle Bike Month, motorcycle safety is a key focus. Many events and activities are geared towards educating riders and promoting safe riding practices, including rider training programs, safety seminars, and awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to reduce motorcycle accidents and promote responsible riding habits, such as wearing appropriate protective gear, obeying traffic laws, and being vigilant on the road.

National Motorcycle Bike Month also serves as a platform for motorcycle enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their passion for motorcycles. Various social events are organized, such as group rides, charity rides, bike shows, and rallies. These activities provide opportunities for riders to connect, share their experiences, and build a sense of community among motorcyclists.

In addition to safety and camaraderie, National Motorcycle Bike Month also highlights the economic impact of motorcycling. The motorcycle industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy through the sales of motorcycles, parts, accessories, and services. National Motorcycle Bike Month often features promotions and discounts at motorcycle dealerships, encouraging riders to support the industry and stimulate economic activity.

Overall, National Motorcycle Bike Month is a month-long celebration that promotes motorcycle safety, awareness, and camaraderie among riders. It provides an opportunity for riders to come together, learn about safe riding practices, and celebrate their love for motorcycles while also highlighting the economic impact of the motorcycle industry.

Motorcycle accidents are a significant concern as they can result in serious injuries or fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States, in 2019 (the most recent year with available data), there were 4,985 motorcyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S., accounting for 14% of all traffic fatalities that year. Additionally, motorcyclists are about 29 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants per vehicle mile traveled.

The causes of motorcycle accidents can vary and may include factors such as speeding, alcohol or drug impairment, distracted driving, lack of proper training or experience, inadequate protective gear, and other road user behaviors. Motorcycle safety organizations and government agencies continually work to raise awareness, promote safe riding practices, and implement measures to reduce motorcycle accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

It’s important to note that motorcycle accident statistics can vary by region, country, and year, and the most up-to-date and accurate data on motorcycle accidents can be obtained from reliable sources such as government agencies, traffic safety organizations, and official accident databases.

Top 6 Motorcycle Safety Tips

Motorcycles can be an exhilarating and stylish way to get around, but unfortunately, they can also be incredibly dangerous without the proper training and equipment. Taking a motorcycle cruise through scenic locales like mountains and beachy highways has become a popular way to spend time outside, but without the right safety measures, you could make a fatal misstep. If you want to learn the best ways to stay safe while you’re out on your motorcycle, here are the top six motorcycle safety tips.

1. Get Licensed to Ride

Before you mount your motorcycle, make sure you’re licensed to ride. Taking a motorcycle certification course can get you acquainted with how to ride your motorcycle safely on the road.

2. Get a Motorcycle You’re Comfortable With

Make sure that whatever motorcycle you’re riding, you’re comfortable with. That means taking a few test drives and making sure that the fit of the motorcycle and its size are properly suited to your frame and that you understand where all the controls are.

3. Always Wear Appropriate Safety Gear

This should go without saying, but you need to wear appropriate safety gear when you’re going out on a motorcycle. Get a proper helmet, a full leather jacket, and long protective pants. You may also want some motorcycle boots made of protective material and some sunglasses to keep the sun out of your vision.

4. Follow Traffic Rules

Abiding by all the same traffic rules that other motorists must follow will keep you safe and keep others safe. Don’t put anyone in harm’s way by swerving through traffic or blowing through stop signs and lights.

5. Don’t Ride Under the Influence

Never, under any circumstances, ride your motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These can impair your judgment and your riding and could cost you your life.

6. Familiarize Yourself With What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

We don’t like to think about the worst-case scenarios, but sometimes, it’s necessary. Ensure you understand what to do if you are in an accident, including tending to your injuries, recording details of the accident, reporting it to local authorities, and finding proper personal injury lawyers in your area if needed.

Preventing a Motorcycle Accident: Tips to Keep in Mind on the Road

Motorcycling can be freeing. The open road, a revving engine, there’s little not to like about the experience. However, riding a motorcycle can be extremely dangerous, even if you’re an experienced biker if you do not take the proper precautions. Here are some of the top tips to keep in mind as you take your next motorcycle journey.

Watch your speed.

One of the best things to keep in mind as you’re riding is to make sure you’re going slow and abiding by the speed limit if applicable. Speeding makes your reaction time more difficult, so it can result in an accident if you do not see a turn or an obstacle in the road and you don’t have enough time to stop or slow down.

Never ride between parked cars and moving traffic.

Try not to ride between parked vehicles and moving vehicles. Even if you think it’ll save you time, you may be putting yourself at higher risk. You could get “doored,” which is when someone in a parked car on the street opens their door and hits an oncoming cyclist or motorcyclist. This can cause severe injuries to both you and the person in the car.

Don’t ride under the influence of anything.

This should go without saying but never ride after drinking or doing any kind of drugs. It’s much easier to call a cab or a trusted friend or family member. Additionally, read the labels on your prescriptions or allergy pills and make sure you heed any warnings not to operate machinery after taking them.

Never share a lane with a car, always ride in front or behind.

Do not share a lane with a car. This means you should not ride in the same lane alongside a vehicle. This can be extremely unsafe for both you and the driver, as neither of you has the breadth needed to make important responses on the road. Always ride either in front of or behind the car or cars in the same lane as you.

Motorcycle Safety Information

If you’re a bicyclist or a motorcyclist, there are a few things you should do. Before you head out the door, you need to ask yourself if you are road ready. Most importantly this means you should be wearing protective gear, especially a helmet. If you were to get in an accident, a helmet is the best chance you have to protect your brain from serious injury. And once you hop on your motorcycle or bicycle, you should always be fully alert, which includes riding alcohol and drug-free. Riding unimpaired is part of riding responsibly, but it also means you should know the local laws and don’t take risks.

Statistics show the majority of crashes happen when motorists did not see the motorcyclist or bicyclist, so be sure to make yourself visible. If you want to increase your visibility, apply reflective materials and keep your lights on. Along with this, you should ride defensively (you can take a defensive driving course that will provide you with practical knowledge and techniques to avoid crashes.) When it comes down to it, be smart out there. Proceed cautiously, and leave sufficient room between yourself and motorists on the road. Don’t forget to yield to others when necessary.

If you’re a motorist, you might be thinking it’s enough for bicyclists and motorcyclists to look out for themselves, but it’s not. Motorists play an equally important role in keeping bikers safe. Whether someone is riding a bicycle or a motorcycle, he or she may be difficult to see. So the first thing you as a motorist should do is be understanding of the safety challenges that cyclists face. Then, be alert. And be sober. Pay attention to your surroundings. This means check your blind spots and mirrors. Always use your turn signals, including when you’re changing lanes or passing. Obey all of the local laws. And don’t be a distracted driver. When it comes to sharing the road with motorcyclists and bicyclists, distractions can make all the difference, so put your phone away.

Whether you’re in the car or riding a motorcycle or bicycle, it’s important to remember we all want to enjoy our ride and make it home safe, not just in May, but all year round. Let’s do our part to protect ourselves and others on the road.

MOTORCYCLE ROAD TRIP PACK LIST

With summer around the corner, a motorcycle road trip looks like a better idea every day. While that sounds exciting, creating a list of what items are necessary to bring can be a lot. Luckily, we have compiled a list for you to go over before your next motorcycle road trip.

SAFETY FIRST

Before any ride, make sure to bring your helmet. Wearing a helmet while riding is critical to protecting your safety and preventing a serious injury on the road. If you plan to buy a helmet, choose a breathable and comfy one to keep it on while traveling. If you are not buying a new helmet, check it for any cracks and confirm that you can easily see through the visor. Replace the helmet if there are any cracks. Even if the crack seems only superficial, it can cause real damage to the helmet and jeopardize your safety.

Flashlights, batteries, spare keys, and multi-tool or pocket are useful for many situations while traveling. Similarly, you should bring water, filling snacks, and a first aid kit to keep yourself safe during your trip. Other small items that can help improve a road trip are duct tape, portable chargers, a backpack, and Tylenol or other painkillers.

TOOLS AND SPARE PARTS

Next, pack tools and spare parts for your bike. You do not need to pack everything, but you should bring the essentials to keep yourself from having to find them on a road trip with no friends or family nearby. The tool kit should be compact. A small bag or pouch with a wrench and socket set, allen wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and cable ties cover the basic needs in an emergency. Spare parts like spark plugs, wires, light bulbs, and fuses are easy to carry and replace if ever needed while on the road.

CLOTHES AND HYGIENE ITEMS

Finally, pack spare clothes and hygiene items for the road trip. Before leaving, check the weather where you are headed and pack accordingly. If you are traveling far, it is best to pack for every type of weather to avoid riding with the wrong clothing on. Rain clothes, gloves, boots, and other waterproof clothing are critical to keeping the ride dry and fun. If you will be on the road a lot, pack plenty of socks and underwear to stay comfortable. People will not notice if you repeat outfits, but you will notice not changing your socks or underwear. For hygiene items, get the travel size or transfer your home items into smaller containers to keep things light.

Avoiding Cold Weather Motorcycle Issues

Freezing temperatures slowly decrease battery voltage over time, leading to a difficult time trying to start the motorcycle. Extended freezes also make the oil in a motorcycle’s engine thicken up, meaning the engine needs more battery power to start. These issues explain why starting your motorcycle may be more difficult in cold weather.

Fortunately, we got you covered! First, use a multimeter and ensure the battery has at least 12.2 volts. If the battery is too low, you must let it charge for a few hours so the bike may start.

Next, heat the engine. Place a portable heater near the engine so that the oil inside the engine can warm. When placing the portable heater, ensure it is not touching anything or too close to a flammable item. Oil in cold temperatures thickens and requires more energy from the battery to start. Heating the oil means the engine requires less battery power to start since the oil is more fluid.

If the motorcycle is still not starting, make sure the choke is on. You may have turned off the choke to prevent gas leaks and forgot to turn it back on before trying to start the motorcycle.

ABOUT HERRMAN AND HERRMAN PLLC

With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.

If you or a loved one was injured, please contact us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm focused on holding negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.

We remain by our clients’ side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical and financial needs. That dedication is combined with experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients are suffering from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation and their overall need for a lawyer.

Need a motorcycle lawyer? Call us!

If you or someone you love has been in a motorcycle accident and was seriously injured, you will need all the help available. Our motorcycle attorneys handle cases on behalf of those seriously injured. We also analyze the accident to identify all the potentially responsible parties and their insurance companies.

Our team works with life planners to determine estimates of your future treatment needs and living expenses because of the injury. It is vital to account for future medical costs and lost income in addition to current medical bills when preparing a claim for compensation.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers negotiate aggressively on behalf of our clients for a settlement that reflects the severity of the motorcyclist’s injuries. A settlement is the quickest way to get the money that you need to regain control of your life.

Unfortunately in some instances, an insurance company will simply refuse to do what is right. Our attorneys are prepared to go to court to seek justice and we are confident of our litigation skills.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else, request a free consultation to speak with our attorneys on how we can help you.

Want more information on what to expect from a motorcycle lawyer? Visit this webpage for more info!

https://www.herrmanandherrman.com/texas-personal-injury-firm/motorcycle-accident-lawyers/