Balancing on two wheels, speed, and a heavy machine...
It's no wonder why it's easy to get into an accident with a motorcycle.
Motorcycles offer convenience at a price.
That price is an increased risk of an accident.
This can be remedied by a lot of experience but how is experienced gained except my doing? Thankfully there are ways to learn about how to ride a motorcycle and how to avoid accidents without having to put yourself in harms way.
The first step comes from when you actually start to ride.
In a few states, like my native CA, there are government sponsored schools that specifically teach people how to ride a motorcycle.
This is the first step that anyone can take.
The class is usually a multi-day class that lasts several hours where they teach you both instruction in a classroom and actual hands on driving in an enclosed course where you are watched scrutinously for your safety.
You'll fall more than likely while taking the hands on portion of the school, but since its enclosed there is no traffic to make the accident worse, and also because it's enclosed your speed is controlled a lot more and you'll be going a lot slower.
So a fall suffered during school will not be bad at all.
The beauty of going to a school is you get real life experience, you get to meet some great people to go riding with, and you get a certificate that allows you to bypass the DMV 'behind the wheel' driving test.
Once you have your motorcycle, no matter how much school time you've had or how many hours you've spent on a bike, you still need to be careful on the road.
You may be a great driver but chances are great that you'll encounter someone who isn't.
This is where defensive driving could very well save you and your bike.
A motorcycle is a lot smaller than a car and therefor can be lost in driver's blind spots a lot easier.
They are harder to notice for people who are not paying attention and yes, there are people who drive and don't pay attention.
The best thing you can do is stay away from blind spots.
These spots are usually to the rear left or right of a car, or right next to a drivers shoulder, where his mirrors cannot see.
Stear clear! Don't rely simply on your turn signal to indicate change of lanes or turning.
Remember how accidents are caused due to a motorcycle being small and hard to notice? Imagine seeing a small turn signal on a small bike.
It would be hard to notice, especially if it is one of those small speedy bikes and all you see is blur going by.
To make matters worse there are older styles of bikes that have no turn signals at all.
You'll probably learn these at the driving school, but when turning or changing lanes on a motorcycle act like the other drives cannot see you.
Take things slow, look around, and use your body as a turn indicator.
What I mean by that is there are some signals you can use to indicate your intentions.
Extending your left arm all the way out and pointing to your left will indicate a left turn.
Sticking out your left arm, bending at the elbow, and pointing up indicates a right turn.
People naturally tend to look at other people, not blinking lights, so using your body language will greatly increase your chances of being noticed and your intentions understood.
Lastly is just a few common sense thoughts.
Do not drive drunk! Do not even drink a little bit and drive.
Alcohol and driving do not mix, no matter what type of vehicle you are using.
Just don't.
Your ability to drive and people's lives are on the line should you, or anyone, choose to drink and drive.
Also don't drive recklessly.
Speeding in and out of traffic is a sure way to run into trouble and by trouble I mean a car or a solid barrier of some sort.
That will not end well.
Always maintain your motorcycle to keep it in top condition so an accident doesn't occur from a mechanical issue.