No matter how safe you are or how much experience you have on your bike, you are still in danger of an accident every time you get on the road. Many factors affect the safety of a motorcyclist, some of which are completely out of the biker’s control.

Inattentive drivers cause a lot of problems. Since motorcycles are such small vehicles, other drivers often overlook them. Thousands of motorcycle accidents occur in California each year because a driver turns in front of the biker without seeing them.

Deteriorating road conditions are also a liability. State and local governments are required to maintain roadways. But as every driver knows, potholes, loose gravel or asphalt, cracks, and other hazards can cause problems before anyone bothers to fix them. Also, poor weather conditions can greatly affect road safety. Drivers need to know when to slow down below the speed limit or even pull over to avoid catastrophe.
Good communication is a key aspect for safety on the roads.

Being able to clearly and silently provide and acknowledge commands with other drivers is an important skill. Any miscommunication can cause an accident, especially when turning, changing lanes, etc. Motorcyclists often travel in groups, and communication within the unit is crucial to the safety of the entire group.

Although experience can help a motorcyclist avoid accidents, any change can affect your ability to protect yourself. Statistics show that most accidents take place within 5 months of owning a new bike, regardless of how long the biker has been riding. If you are riding a bike you haven’t grown accustomed to, you need to be especially careful on the road.