As the weather finally becomes warmer after a long winter in Wisconsin, motorcycles will begin to be a more common sight on the roadways. With more motorcycles on the roadways, both drivers of cars, trucks and other vehicles as well as motorcyclists should be extra vigilant so as to help ensure the safety of everyone on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatalities among motorcyclists occur 27 times more frequently than fatalities of those in other vehicles. Motorcyclists are also six times more likely to be injured in the event of an accident than those in other vehicles. The following are some motorcycle safety tips to help make your next motorcycle ride a safe one.

1. Make sure that your motorcycle is safe before riding. Before getting on your motorcycle, you should check the tire pressure, tread depth, brakes, headlights, signal indicators and fluid levels. By checking these things before riding, you can help prevent a malfunction while on the road.
2. Wear protective clothing to help prevent injuries in case of an accident. One of the most important things you can wear during a motorcycle ride is a helmet. Some other clothing items that can help protect you while on your motorcycle are goggles to prevent things from entering your eyes. You should also wear clothing that completely covers your arms and legs. Materials such as leather and heavy denim are suggested.
3. Obey all traffic laws and regulations and drive defensively.
4. Do not ride if you have been drinking. Alcohol can negatively affect your judgement, reaction time, alertness, coordination, balance and ability to shift gears. Having these abilities impacted increases the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

By following these motorcycle safety tips, you can help make your next ride a safe one for both yourself and others on the roadway.