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Wearing the RightGear
As winter approaches, the inevitable colder weather will see many of us riders pulling on an extra layer or two to keep warm while riding through the streets. However, just because we're fully covered, doesn't mean we can expect these clothes to give us any form of decent protection should we part company unexpectedly from our bikes while riding.
Denim and wool are very poor substitutes for a high quality biker's jacket and trousers. Hit the road wearing a suit and your trousers will protect your legs for less than half a second; the heaviest weight of jeans will be rubbed away within a second's contact. After that, it's your skin's turn...
The only sensible option is to get the RightGear. A breathable, biking jacket gives us the protection we need AND keeps us warm and dry, too. A big bonus when it's chilly outside.
Remember your hands: normal fabric gloves might look solid and well-padded but they are not designed for impact with abrasive surfaces at 20-30mph. They are also very slippery when wet - meaning you might lose your grip on the handlebars just when you need it most.
Bike gloves not only offer the protection we all need in the event of a fall but they are designed to withstand the rain and help us to maintain a proper grip and stay in full control of our bikes!
The most common motorcycle injury, however, is to the lower leg, so the right kind of footwear is essential – even if they don't match the weather! They'll protect your feet and give ankles extra support, which could help prevent a nasty break.
For more information on wearing the RightGear visit: www.rightgearlondon.com/the_right_gear
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SLIPPERY WHEN WET
A failure to adjust from 'summer driving mode' remains a key factor in the expected 15% leap in road casualties amongst riders that will occur over the next few months.
This friendly warning comes as the first heavy rain of the autumn combines with early leaf fall and greasy road surfaces to create potentially treacherous conditions.
Stopping distances on wet and slippery roads can be double those of dry conditions and unfortunately, some riders don't always factor that extra distance into braking calculations.
Historically, autumn can be the start of a huge rise in all forms of traffic crashes and collisions – and we riders are particularly vulnerable.
This season has 21% more reported casualties than the summer and a reported 14% rise in fatalities on all roads, so it pays for us all to take a little more care.
It's not just the railways that can't cope with fallen leaves: where leaf falls are left to gather, the onset of heavy rain quickly turns them into a slippery mess that can be a real hazard for riders.
Brake hard on a patch of wet leaves and you'll quickly realise how little grip your tyres have on the road and you can be in a potentially dangerous skid before you know it. As you'll know, manhole covers and white lines on the road can also be potential landmines to avoid!
Let's keep safer by watching speed, giving ourselves more time to brake and managing our road positions to steer round these potentially lethal obstacles on the road.
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BIKE CHECKS
Keeping safe when out and about isn't just about riding safely and handling busy city traffic; it's about having a safer bike to ride in the first place. Regular safety checks are vital.
At this time of year we are more likely to be riding in poor light or at night, so it's important that our headlight bulbs are working - without lights; other road users can't see us! It's best to carry a spare set so if one fails when riding home, we don't need to walk back!
Keeping our bike clean is also a good thing to do. It's not just about the satisfaction of riding a bright, shiny motorcycle: spray from wet roads in autumn and winter can quickly coat the bike in muck and reduce the brightness of lights and reflectors. Before every journey giving them a once-over and a wipe with a cloth is best. It just takes a second or two but helps keep us visible when out on the road.
Some other quick tips: check your horn once a month and to keep your bike running smoothly, remember to check the oil regularly - every 1,000 miles or once a month, whichever comes first. Most bikes only hold a litre of oil, so regular top-ups are inexpensive.
Finally, let's not forget about tyres. They're the most important single items on your bike and the ONLY things which keep us upright! Watch out for any bulges and splits, keep them properly inflated and make sure you know what the minimum tread requirements are.
Bikes and scooters up to 49cc (max speed 30mph) must have visible tread on the tyre. Anything over 49cc (or that can travel above 30mph) must have at least 1mm of visible tread over 75% of the tyre and the tread must be continuous.
However, that's the bare minimum: the view of the biking world is that riding on less than 2mm of tread is lunacy, and can severely affect acceleration, braking and handling. So, the more tread the better to ensure we stay ON our bikes as opposed to sliding ungraciously and perilously down a busy road!
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HI-VIS CLOTHING
Did you know that over 60% of serious motorcycle casualties on UK roads are at least partially caused by other road users not seeing the rider?
The narrow shape of a motorcycle and the speed at which it travels, means that it is harder for a driver to spot an approaching motorcycle than a larger vehicle and to judge its speed.
This doesn't necessarily mean that the driver has been careless. It can be down to a flaw in the way human beings actually see things. For more information on why some perfectly decent drivers can ‘look and not see' riders, visit www.rightgearlondon.com/drivers.
Now the darker evenings are here, it's more important than ever that we make sure we can be seen when out on the road.
Many of us use our bikes to commute, and once the clocks go back our journey home will be in poor and failing light, if not complete darkness.
So it's really important we are seen! For less than £20, there are reflective hi-vis waistcoats and vests available that will help ensure other road users see us coming.
Alternatively, a reflective back brace or bright belt that just slips over the jacket is a good way of making sure we're seen from the rear - and costs only around £10.
As the problem of the 'invisible bike' gets worse in winter, let's take the necessary steps to keep visible - and safer.
COMPETITION
Win your dream motorcycle or scooter!
Thinking of signing up for one of capital's superb ScooterSafe-London or BikeSafe-London courses to sharpen up your riding skills?
Well, here's a great reason for booking on a course right now. Transport for London (TfL) has teamed up with the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) to offer you the chance to win a motorcycle or scooter of your choice, plus runner up prizes of 6 helmets and 3 sets of protective clothing.
Your dream machine could be yours simply by attending a BikeSafe-London or ScooterSafe-London Rider Skills Day course before 30th November 2011 and completing a competition entry form on the day.
See www.rightgearlondon.com/competition for details.
PLUS, if that wasn't enough, did you know that by attending one of these Rider Skills Day courses, you can enjoy discounts from some retailers and insurers?
So with better riding skills, cheaper insurance AND a chance to win a dream bike, everyone's a winner!
I'm off to book my place now.....see you there!
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