Tips in Preventing Motorcycle Injuries

Safety in riding motorcycles in order to prevent injuries is a very critical issue especially during peak of motorcycle season. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons are very much concerned about this issue since there are almost always a lot of motorcycle accidents happening at least one every few days. Most injuries noted from people brought in Level One Trauma Units range from serious musculoskeletal injuries, open fractures and head traumas from motorcycle accidents. The increasing accidents are linked to increased number of motorcycles on road. Records show that since 1997, motorcycles sales increased to more than 90%. Last 2001, motorcycles represented only 2.2 percent of all registered vehicles in United States and accounted for 0.34 percent of vehicle miles traveled. However, crashes involving motorcycles accounted for 7.6 percent of total traffic fatalities on America's roadways. As recently reported by US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2002 there were 42,815 fatalities from motorcycle accidents. What’s alarming is this is highest level of fatality report since 1990. While some accidents cause injuries or lifetime paralysis, some result to fatalities. Thus, these incidents should be a constant reminder for motorcyclists to protect themselves. According to Maureen Finnegan, MD, professor at University of Texas and orthopaedic surgeon at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, most motorcycle injuries involve extremities and spinal cord. Majority of fatalities are results of head injuries. Thus, she said that most important tip for motorcycle safety is to wear a helmet. Wearing helmets are estimated to be 29 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries for motorcyclists. Another thing is wearing of proper clothing in riding and of course, really learning how to ride a motorcycle and handle certain situations throughout ride.

Motorcycle Riding in Style: Check Out These Bike Gears!

There are so many choices in purchasing a motorcycle. Often what you’d consider and compare with others are in terms of handling, speed, luggage, space and its overall appearance. Of course, these factors, among many others, would generally be based on your choice between type of bike you that’s most preferable for your lifestyle and personality: touring, sport-touring, sport, standard, cruiser, enduro, dual-sport and off-road.

Each type also comes with its very own riding attitude and of course, riding gears and accessories. Notice this, Harley-Davidson bike riders would not go out riding in same biking outfit and accessories as Ducati sports bike riders.

Here are several gears and accessories worth checking out for sport bike riders. These gears would ensure riding safety and enable you to go out riding in style, too! Shoei RF-1000 metallic helmet – this helmet combines safety, fit and style. It ensures comfort because of lightweight material its shell is made of. It has a superior ventilation and anti-fog system, removable interior cheek pads and sturdy, removable chinstraps. It provides increased peripheral vision, optical clarity and 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays. The stylishness of Shoei’s RF 1000 helmet would most probably be as impeccable as your other riding gears. You can also check out HJC, Arai and Nolan for other high-quality and stylish motorcycle helmets. AGV laser one-piece riding suit – considering that leather is way to go for motorcycle gears, this fashionable suit is made from 1.44 mm premium cowhide and features double and triple stitched seams in all high impact areas. It has a ventilated design with Schoeller Kevlar Keprotec stretch panels inside sleeves and behind knees for added comfort and plastic knee cups and sliders for added protection. It could be easily slipped on easily, too. Teknic Sturgis overpants – this is made to be worn over jeans for added protection. Composed of top grade cowhide leather, these overpants have full-length two-way side zippers, elastic leather waistband with a Velcro adjustable waist belt, and leather stretch panels at knees. It ensures ease of your leg movements.