The phrase “how to reduce your risk of motorcycle accidents” sounds like something your mom yells from the porch as you roll off on your bike.
But also? She kinda has a point.
I’ve been riding for a decade now, give or take a few years (and a few questionable choices), and let me tell you—I’ve had close calls. Like, heart-jumps-into-your-throat kind of moments. A squirrel once darted into the road and I swear to God, I braked so hard I aged six months.
So if you’re here looking for dry, boring statistics and textbook jargon? Sorry, bro. But if you want real advice from someone who’s wiped out, got back up, and learned to not wipe out again (most of the time)? Stick around.
🛑 1. Let’s Talk About Ego for a Sec
You ever meet those riders who treat the road like it’s a video game? Yeah, don’t be that guy.
The biggest enemy of motorcycle safety isn’t the car behind you—it’s the ego inside your helmet.
When I first started riding, I thought I was invincible. I was like, “I got gloves, boots, and a leather jacket—I’m basically Batman.”
Spoiler: I was not Batman. I was barely Robin.
The first time I laid my bike down? Was because I tried to take a corner way too fast to impress a girl who wasn’t even watching.
Lesson? You’re not cool if you’re not in control.
🧠 2. Know What You’re Dealing With (AKA: The Danger Zones)
So, here’s the thing. Most motorcycle crashes don’t happen on sketchy backroads or crazy mountain curves. Nope. They happen in places you know too well.
- Intersections – Cars turning left? Literal nightmares.
- Driveways and parking lots – The chaos zones.
- Wet roads, gravel, or sand – Trust me, gravel is the devil’s confetti.
If you think you’re safe because the road looks familiar? That’s when you need to wake the hell up.
I once almost got pancaked in a grocery store parking lot by a dude in a minivan eating a sandwich. Never again.
🧢 3. Gear Up, Even If You’re “Just Going Around the Corner”
I get it. Sometimes it feels like a hassle to throw on the jacket and boots when you’re just doing a quick coffee run.
But listen, you don’t plan an accident. It doesn’t RSVP. It shows up uninvited.
That “quick ride” I took in sneakers and shorts? Ended with me getting roasted by pavement like a human marshmallow. My leg looked like a pepperoni pizza, and not the good kind.
Invest in good gear.
- DOT or Snell-certified helmet
- Abrasion-resistant jacket
- Gloves (yes, your hands matter)
- Motorcycle boots (not your busted-up Vans)
You don’t have to look like a Power Ranger—but honestly? Power Rangers had the right idea.
🌀 4. Stay Smooth, Stay Alive
Okay, so this sounds weird, but hear me out: riding is like dancing.
If you’re jerky, aggressive, or off-balance, you’re gonna step on some toes—or worse, faceplant into a guardrail.
Be smooth on the throttle. Ease into your turns. Look through the curve, not at it.
And for the love of motorcycles, don’t slam your brakes in a panic like you’re stomping a spider.
Practice emergency braking in an empty parking lot. Learn counter-steering. Lean with purpose.
Ride like you’ve done it before—even if you’re still figuring it out.
🚙 5. Cars Are (Mostly) Clueless
There, I said it.
Car drivers are usually not looking for you. You are not on their radar. You’re smaller, faster, and quieter than what they’re used to scanning for.
That time a dude literally changed lanes into me on the freeway while sipping a Slurpee? I wasn’t even mad. Just impressed at his commitment to not looking.
So here’s what you do:
- Be visible – Bright gear, reflective tape, high beams during the day.
- Position yourself wisely – Don’t ride in blind spots.
- Always assume they don’t see you – Because often? They really don’t.
🏍️ 6. Don’t Ride Tired (Or Angry. Or Sad. Or… Hungry?)
This one gets overlooked a lot, but it’s real.
Your mental state absolutely affects your riding.
Ever tried riding after a brutal day at work? Your brain’s foggy, your body’s tense, and your reaction time is slower than dial-up internet.
Bad combo.
Also, maybe don’t hop on your bike after a fight with your partner or after bingeing hot wings. Emotions and indigestion do not mix well with tight turns.
Take care of your headspace before you hit the throttle.
📚 7. Take a Freaking Class, Man
Even if you’ve been riding for years. ESPECIALLY if you’ve been riding for years.
I took an advanced rider course last year and—okay yeah, my pride took a hit—but I also learned techniques I never picked up just from street riding.
Trail braking, evasive maneuvers, slow-speed control—it’s not just for newbies.
And honestly? Doing cone drills in a parking lot feels kinda fun. Like a weird adult version of recess.
Check out: MSF Rider Courses – legit stuff.
🧪 8. Learn From Your Almosts
We all have those moments. The “holy crap” ones where you pull over and just sit there sweating through your jacket.
Mine? I misjudged a curve in the Appalachians and almost ended up part of the scenery.
Instead of brushing it off like it didn’t happen, I started treating those moments like pop quizzes from the universe.
What did I miss? What could I have done different?
If you ignore the lessons, you’ll keep getting retested—and not in a fun, video-game way.
☕ Final Thought about how to reduce your risk of motorcycle accidents
Look, motorcycles are risky. That’s part of what makes them feel so alive.
But risk doesn’t have to mean recklessness.
Reducing your risk of a motorcycle accident isn’t about killing the joy—it’s about riding long enough to keep loving it.
And if all this still sounds like “mom talk” to you?
That’s cool. Just don’t be surprised if you end up calling her from the ER with a gravel rash the size of a pizza.
Ride safe. Ride smart. And please—don’t be the guy in flip-flops.
Quick Recap: about how to reduce your risk of motorcycle accidents
- Ego ≠ skill
- Danger zones aren’t always obvious
- Gear is love. Gear is life.
- Smooth riders live longer
- Cars don’t care about you (sad but true)
- Don’t ride with a messy mind
- Take a class even if your ego cries
- Learn from your “almosts”
Outbound Links:
- MSF Rider Courses
- Common Tread Blog (RevZilla) – solid stories and gear reviews
