Being safe on the road is important. This holds extra weight for motorcyclists as riding a smaller vehicle can make it difficult to see and be seen by other road users.
In the UK, over 21,000 motorbike accidents occur every year and a lot of these incidents often result in serious injuries or death. Motorcyclists are 62 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than someone driving a car.
While these statistics may be alarming, it’s essential to remember that there are measures available to you that will help keep your bike safe and, more importantly, you safe.
But with an oversaturation of products and gear available on the market, whether that’s from motorbike dashcams to extendable mirrors, it’s sometimes difficult to determine what is necessary and what isn’t.
To help, we’ve outlined a few options below to help guide you on a range of motorbike safety products.
Hearing protection
An area that most riders don’t realise until after a long ride is a need for hearing protection. Your ears, even inside of a helmet, are constantly inundated by sound.
Using earplugs can help protect your eyes while riding. Basic earplugs from a supermarket are sufficient as they must also fit under your helmet.
Earplugs will reduce the white noise from the wind rustling over your helmet while also reducing the loud noises of traffic and other road users. Using some form of hearing protection will however not completely stop your ability to hear around you, only reduce the noise.
Motorbike dashcams
Motorbike safety cameras are an excellent way to provide security and protection while out riding. The INNOVV K5 motorbike camera is one of the most advanced motorbike dash cams available.
The INNOVV K5 innovates the Sony’s 8-megapixel sensor on its front camera, producing 4K Ultra HD footage at 30 FPS with its rear camera providing crisp 1080P HD video quality. Both cameras adopt an expanded 120-degree field of view to provide complete coverage around the bike.
This particular dual motorbike camera is durable, lightweight and waterproof. It also includes an external mic, allows for loop recording and comes equipped with a G-sensor for added safety.
As over 80% of accidents involving motorbikes are caused by negligence, installing the INNOVV K5 motorbike dashcam will provide you with additional safety features to help keep you safe and aware while on the road.
Bike locks
While not directly protecting your safety, a bike lock will provide excellent safety for your motorcycle.
From disk locks, ground anchors or security chains, it’s important to invest in the correct motorbike security to keep your bike safe from thieves. Investing in locks that have additional preventative measures, such as audible alarms can be the difference in deterring a thief.
Crash protection accessories
Installing crash protection accessories to your bike that are designed to protect your bike from the impact of a fall, crash, or slide, they can also keep your bike in a better condition, saving you money on future repairs in the long run.
Accessories such as:
- Frame sliders
- Handguards
- Skid-plates
- Crash bars
Most of these accessories are easy to install and are cost-effective and practical solutions for keeping you and your bike safe.
Other Essential safety gear
When riding a motorbike, it’s important to remember that you’re also completely exposed. This is not just exposure to the elements, but also to other road users, vehicles and everything else.
Therefore, it’s worth noting what is the necessary gear to help protect you in the event of an accident:
- Helmet
- Motorcycle gloves
- Appropriate jacket
- Leather trousers
- Correct footwear
Helmet
The most important piece of protective gear that you must have, is an appropriate helmet. In the UK, by law, you must wear a safety helmet that meets British safety standards when riding a motorcycle or moped on the road.
You must also make sure that it fits comfortably as it will become looser over time. If it becomes too loose, you run the risk of it coming off in a collision.
If your helmet has any damage or has a serious impact, you must replace it, as any damage – particularly if it’s not noticeable – might not protect you if you were involved in an accident.
If looking for a new helmet, make sure that it has the BSI (British Standards Institution) Kitemark on it to ensure that it’s up to regulation.
Motorcycle gloves
In the event of an accident, it’s human instinct to put your hands out in front of you to protect yourself.
However, if you’re travelling well over 20mph, you’ll cause serious damage to your hands, arms, and skin in the process. There have even been stories of bikers losing appendages from crashing and skidding.
Invest in appropriate gloves, such as thick leather gloves to help protect your hands. They also provide protection from adverse weather as well as keeping your hands insulated.
Appropriate jackets & trousers
Much like the gloves, a suitable motorbike jacket and trousers are effectively essential to any rider.
They can offer protection throughout the weather and keep you warm and dry but more importantly, they will provide protection from scraping your skin against the pavement or road surface.
Leather options tend to be a more popular choice amongst motorcyclists.
Correct footwear
The main rule when it comes to motorbike footwear is to make sure they are sturdy and have over-the-ankle protection.
Wearing the correct footwear can provide you with traction while riding as well as offering protection in the event of a crash.
Combining the essential clothing options as well as any additional safety products can help keep you secure, safe and riding in one piece.