Commuting to Work on a Motorcycle – What You Need to Know
For those of you who opt to travel to and from work on a motorcycle, we thought we’d share some of our tips on making the journey safer, more enjoyable and stress-free.
Be Prepared
It’s always good to prepare what you need for the next day, the night before; so when you wake up you’re all set to go! Also, waking up to allows yourself sufficient time to get all your jobs done before you head out the door is ideal. If possible, leaving five or so minutes earlier will relieve some of the pressure, so you don’t need to rush. And given you are much more exposed on a bike than in car, make sure you have the appropriate safety clothing for the commute and the weather!
Safety First
When riding a bike, safety must always come first. Before you leave home, give your bike a quick maintenance check to make sure it’s all safely, ready to go. The few minutes it takes now, will reduce any potential breakdowns along the way. Then, when riding to and from work, ride safely at all times. Be aware of your surroundings, make sure you have clear visibility, make sure you adhere to speed limits and safe following distances and ensure your mirrors are set to the correct position allowing you to see traffic behind you.
Be Seen
Typically commuting to and from work are peak hours of the day in regard to traffic. At these times, looking cool is not the priority but rather being highly visible is! One of the best ways to do this is to wear hi-viz clothing as it’s much more likely to catch someone’s eye, than just a black leather jacket.
Remain Alert
Commuting to and from work can sometimes seem like a chore and taking the same route day after day can become boring. Don’t get complacent. Try taking different routes sometimes to change it up. When riding, you need to remain alert at all times.
Storage is Important
No doubt you’ll need to carry things on your ride such as your lunch, a laptop, change of shoes etc so having safe, secure luggage on your bike is especially important.