My Number 1 Tip to Reduce Motorcycle Crashes

This week on MCrider we discuss some riding strategies that will reduce the number of motorcycle crashes. I share with you the 1 tip that I think would have the largest impact in reducing motorcycle crashes.

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MCrider offers free motorcycle safety training in a weekly video that helps you gain more control of your motorcycle and improve your strategy on the street.

Thanks for watching,
Kevin

[fredercolani]

I’ve been a trucker 26 years and also been riding almost 40 years. What I’ve done more than a few times is if you don’t like the way traffic is flowing get off the highway and take a couple minutes break. Sometimes there’s a group of vehicles that are nose to tail and just driving like idiots. Never pull over on side of highway. Ive seen vehicles run off the side of highway more times and you don’t want to be a target

[davemiller]

Here’s one that combines following distance with the habit we have learned of looking behind us as we come to a stop in case the guy behind us doesn’t stop...got our first snow yesterday in Colorado. I was driving my car to the airport and was coming to a stop. From riding my motorcycle and learning the tips from these videos, I have a habit of looking behind me to see if the guy behind me is stopping...he wasn’t!! He was getting ready to skid into my rear bumper. I was able to move up and to the side as he came to a stop beside me. I would have had to deal with an accident exchanging info in 20 degree weather and repairing my car. Thanks McRider, since he didn’t allow adequate following distance but I looked behind me, no harm was done. Hopefully it scared the crap out of him and he is allowing more following distance. Some of these motorcycle tips make me a better driver in my car.

[flyinggyros]

Slow down and enjoy the ride. If you’re in a hurry, leave earlier. Alan

[stevegiganti]

Don’t ride when you are emotionally upset

[robertlorenzo]

I really liked your comments on following distance, I have been driving trucks and riding street bikes since the early 1980’s. When I got married in the late 1980’s I had to sell my bike. I was without a bike for 20 years. In 2005 I purchased a new sportster and immediately set up an appointment to take the mc safety course in pa. I learned a lot. It was the smartest thing I ever did. Thank to all the instructors out there.

[julianuk]

Ride as if you’re invisible. Assume every car will pull out on you and be in a position to evade.

[Nickescaped]

Hey Kevin - for me it’s staying plugged in to the ride whenever up on 2 wheels. No mental drifting and always aware of surrounding traffic and conditions. Often easier said than done. Thanks for your safety topics - always on point.

[dennishelferich]

Kevin I completely agree with you on this. I drove a transit bus for 10 years and was trained on the Smith System safe driving. I learned more about safe driving during those ten years than I had learned during the 36 years prior to starting that job. Following distance was drilled into us. Your idea of focusing on a fixed object and counting to 2 or 3 was exactly how I was trained. We were trained to count to three Mississippi's. I encourage everyone to search the Smith System and the five keys to safe driving. I have been retired for 4 years now and I still use those keys I learned every day both in my car and on my bike. Great video. Ride safe Sir.

[johnfair]

I use great following distance and believe it or not I got people to not drive so close to me from behind by putting the words "STAY BACK" on the back of my helmet. It really made a difference. I always watch all around me and after I put those words on my helmet people actually do it. They stay usually 35 feet or more off of me.

[LuckyLukea]

Since you asked for our opinion, these are my "lines of defense" in order:
1. patience (no ego, relaxed, no time pressure)

2. awareness (includes road strategy and yes, following distance)

3. skill (obtained through training and experience)

4. gear and bike safety features

[rafaelvarela]

I use to turn my head to check blind spot in the mirror every time I change line . And also follow your tips that garantee my 65 years old with none serious injuries on driving bikes or cars to me and my wife and to others on the road. Thanks for the tips, and I salute you all from São Paulo, Brazil. 😎👍

[michaelvanarsdale]

Thanks for this! One of my favorite videos you’ve done to date. I see this EVERY day! You gave several safety reasons for maintaining a safe distance, but there are also some enjoyment benefits that come from staying back: More relaxed riding, more time/safety to take in the sights, more opportunities for a safe burst of speed (within limits, of course), less sucking on exhaust, etc.

[GoldensRule]

I love what you are teaching keep up the good work. I started riding again after 40 years and took the BMSC and passed but realized how much I need to practice. Thanks again

[garycowlan]

i really enjoy your weekly streams. i am 57 and have just passed my bike test in the uk. thank you for all the advice

[lornescott-wilson]

Absolutely agree. Bikes are often right behind cars here in Brisbane... in town or on the highway. It just takes a lapse in concentration or a distraction...car brakes...bang

[eleazarsolomon]

You did in around 8 minutes what a manual for motorist do in 200 pages. Great job, very good tips. If we observe all what you teaching today we effectively reduce risk, high cost and suffer. Thanks a lot Master. I am in Central America and I do not miss your videos.

[davidhayden]

Following distance first and speed second. My wife and I experienced first hand the reason not to follow too closely. We were in our car but were too close behind an eighteen wheeler and could not see the recap tread he ran over. Fortunately, he did not hit the tread with his tires but when we hit it, it took out our car's chin spoiler and oil cooler. Had we been on our motorcycle I'm sure we would have lost control. Fortunately for us, an expensive lesson learned but with no injuries! Keep up the great videos Kevin.

[johnschlesinger]

When I was a part time instructor (in the UK), I always used to tell students to say out loud “Only a fool breaks the two second rule” when the vehicle ahead passes the marker. This works well, as it takes two seconds to say. I would also say that if you are following a group of vehicles who are driving too close to each other that the following distance will need to be greater. There is another hazard which many do not know: riding or driving when you haven’t had enough sleep. This can be even more dangerous than alcohol. One really important thing is to always have an escape route.

[Ducati_Dude]

I chose Following Distance first and Speed second... I'm bad at following too close. Need to make a conscious effort to leave more distance... ✔

[mauriceamang]

You are spot on with the following distance Kev!! I amuse myself and watch youtubers posting videos of motorcycle crashes. Almost without exception, you can see when and why they crashed: Too much speed in busy traffic, SEVERE lack of road strategy ( seeing a van coming into your lane, you keep your speed hoping they will stop...until you hit them), overestimating their skill sets. I love what you do man...