You wanna know the first time I thought seriously about how to avoid motorcycle accidents?
It wasn’t during my safety course, when I bought my first helmet and wasn’t even when I watched some poor guy eat asphalt in front of a Taco Bell.
It was the day I nearly got turned into road pizza by a guy in a lifted Dodge Ram making a left-hand turn without looking. I remember thinking, “Welp, this is it. Shouldn’t have skipped breakfast.”
But I didn’t die. I somehow braked in time, wobbled like a baby deer, and pulled over to the side shaking like I just wrestled a ghost.
So now? I take this stuff seriously. Still fun, fast and love my bike. But I’ve picked up a few things that might just save your life (or at least your face).
Let’s get into the messy, real-talk version of motorcycle safety tips your instructor probably didn’t tell you.
🚨 1. Your Ego Is Not Safety Gear
I get it. You want to lean like Rossi, weave like you’re in a chase scene, and maybe impress that girl in the red Corolla.
Don’t.
95% of my near-accidents came from me showing off.
One time I tried to pop a wheelie at a stoplight because my buddy dared me. My clutch hand slipped, and I almost kissed the tailgate of a UPS truck. My friend laughed. I almost threw up.
Keep it chill. Ride for you, not for Instagram stories or strangers in traffic.
🧠 2. Assume Everyone’s a Distracted Zombie
Seriously. Every car is potentially being driven by someone:
- Eating a breakfast burrito
- Texting their mom
- Changing Spotify playlists
- Arguing with their kid about Paw Patrol
And they’re not looking for you.
So ride like you’re invisible.
Even when you’re wearing high-vis gear and your bike sounds like a jet engine made of bees. People will not see you.
You ever lock eyes with a driver at a stop sign and they still pull out? Like, are we in different realities? It’s wild.
🕶️ 3. Gear Up Like You’re Expecting Trouble (Because You Kinda Are)
One time I ran out to grab coffee—just a mile or two. Hoodie. Sneakers. No gloves.
You know where this is going, right?
I low-sided on a wet patch turning into the parking lot.
Wasn’t fast, but I still scraped up my palms and tore a hole in my jeans the size of a toaster. Sat there on the pavement thinking, I could’ve worn the damn gloves.
Now I gear up every single ride:
- Helmet (obviously, brain’s important)
- Armored jacket (even in summer, mesh is a thing)
- Gloves (protect your hands—they’re useful)
- Actual boots (not Converse)
- Kevlar jeans or riding pants (your thighs will thank you)
And yeah, I look like I’m going to war just to buy eggs—but better safe than emergency-room selfie.
🚗 4. Left Turns Are the Devil
No joke. The #1 way riders get hit? A car turning left across their lane.
Here’s the trick: anticipate.
If there’s a car in the left-turn lane? I cover my brakes. Ease up on the throttle. Move to the left or right of my lane so I’ve got options.
And if they do pull out?
I’m ready to either brake, swerve, or curse loudly (in that order).
I should probably make a t-shirt that just says, “Watch those left turns, bro.”
🧱 5. Practice Like You Suck (Even If You Don’t)
You ever go into a parking lot just to practice slow-speed turns?
No? Okay, that’s why you almost dropped your bike doing a U-turn last week.
I still do it. Figure-8s, panic stops, swerving drills. Yeah, I look like a total dork, but that muscle memory kicks in when you need it.
Like the time a squirrel darted out and I had to swerve so hard I almost high-fived a mailbox. Did I crash? Nope. Thank you, boring parking lot practice.
🌧️ 6. Rain? Pfft. More Like Slip ‘n Slide for Adults
Rain is not just water. It’s oil-flavored disaster sauce on the road—especially during the first 30 minutes of a downpour.
If you must ride in the rain:
- Avoid the center of the lane (that’s where oil collects)
- Go easy on the brakes
- Smooth throttle. No jerks.
And for the love of everything, don’t lean hard into turns. That’s how knees get introduced to sidewalks.
🛠️ 7. Your Bike Needs TLC Too
So many crashes aren’t because of riders—they’re because of neglected machines.
Your brakes go soft? Bad time.
Your chain snaps? Very bad time.
Tires too old or under-inflated? Guess what—you’re now skating, not riding.
I once ignored a squeaky rear brake for three weeks. It locked up mid-ride and I did the world’s slowest, most embarrassing skid into a curb. Could’ve been worse. Could’ve been on a freeway.
So… maintenance, folks. Look at your bike like it’s your weird but lovable pet. Feed it oil. Keep its feet (tires) healthy.
👀 8. Look Where You Wanna Go, Not Where You’re Gonna Die
Weird psychological trick—if you stare at the curb, guess where you’ll end up?
Exactly. Hello, curb.
When things go sideways, keep your eyes on the exit path, not the hazard. Your body and bike will follow your vision.
One time I hit a patch of sand in a curve. Thought I was toast. But instead of panicking and target-fixating, I looked ahead and somehow stayed upright. I still don’t fully understand it. Motorcycle voodoo, maybe?
🧭 9. Know Your Limits (And Your Mood)
Not every day is a good riding day—even if the weather’s perfect.
If you’re tired, distracted, mad at your boss, just had a breakup, or fighting a burrito-induced food coma… maybe don’t ride.
I once rode after getting dumped. My head was full of breakup songs and imaginary arguments. I missed a stop sign. Barely avoided T-boning a Buick.
Now I ask myself: “Would you ride like this if a raccoon were chasing you?” If the answer’s no—park it.
✌️ Bonus Rule: If It Feels Sketchy, It Probably Is about how to avoid motorcycle accidents
We’ve all had that gut feeling. Something’s off. Road looks slick. Car behind you is too close. That truck is drifting a little too much.
Trust your gut. Always.
I’ve turned around and pulled over. I’ve canceled rides. And I’m here to tell the story, so I count that as a win.
💭 Final Thought about how to avoid motorcycle accidents
Learning how to avoid motorcycle accidents isn’t about being scared. It’s about riding smart so you can ride long. And honestly? Once these habits become second nature, the ride gets even better. Like, “wind in your soul, bugs in your teeth, life-is-good” kind of better.
So stay sharp, stay geared, and maybe don’t try to impress that girl at the red light with a wheelie. She’s not worth road rash.
Unless she rides too. Then, well… you’re on your own.
Outbound Links:
- MSF Safety Tips – legit, useful, and way less sarcastic than me
- RevZilla Gear Guides – because good gear is half the battle
