How To: Practice motorcycle safety

Motorcycle fatalities are on the rise. Make sure you're doing all you can to protect yourself. Practice good motorcycle safety.

You Will Need
* A license
* A helmet
* Protective clothing
* Extreme caution
* Reflective tape and stickers
* A license
* A helmet
* Protective clothing
* Extreme caution
* Reflective tape and stickers

Step 1: Get trained
Get a motorcycle license. Take a course to make sure you fully understand the rules of the road. Read your motorcycle manual and inspect your bike carefully so that you're familiar with it before you start riding.

Step 2: Wear a helmet
Always wear a helmet that's securely fastened. And make sure it conforms to the standards set by the Department of Transportation. If it doesn't have a visor built in, wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying dirt or debris.

Step 3: Wear protective clothing
Wear clothes that cover as much skin as possible, the heavier the better to prevent a nasty case of road rash. Gloves will shield your hands from flying rocks, and heavy, rubber-soled boots will protect your ankles and keep your feet from slipping.

Step 4: Brake carefully
Always apply the front and rear brakes at the same time, but not so hard that you lock up either wheel, which will cause you to skid.

Step 5: Approach intersections cautiously
One quarter of motorcycle crashes are caused when a car turns left at an intersection, across a motorcyclists' path. Approach intersections cautiously, slowing down as you get close, flashing your brake lights once or twice, and making sure you're visible to the cars on either side of you.

Step 6: Pass carefully
Before passing another vehicle, make sure your motorcycle is in the left portion of the lane and at a safe following distance. Don't accelerate if you're being passed.

Step 7: Keep your distance
Step 8: Avoid riding in rain
Step 9: Never ride side-by-side
Step 10: Approach curves cautiously
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