Are you learning to drive a motorcycle?

Injuries to motorcyclists are far out of proportion to their presence on our roads. Motorcyclists are just 1% of total road traffic, but account for 19% of all road user deaths. (Source: Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2008).

The following tips will help keep you and other road users safe:

Choose the right gear

To protect yourself, wear the right clothes - protective jackets, trousers, gloves and boots and most importantly, a safety helmet that fits.

Expect the unexpected

Drivers often fail to notice motorcyclists. So it's best to always ride with the expectation that you would not be seen, and to be alert and observant and keep an eye out for other vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. At the time of motorcycle practical test it is always told to learners.

Make yourself visible

Wear a light or brightly coloured helmet and fluorescent clothing or strips when riding in daylight and reflective clothing or strips when riding in the dark.

Get your positioning right

Position yourself in the most visible place, usually the middle of the lane. Take up your road position in good time before turning right or left, showing others what you aim to do. Remember that dipped headlights can also help increase your visibility.

Take care when overtaking

Can you see hazards? Is there a bend or junction? Can you overtake without speeding up or swerving too much? Before you overtake, take a lifesaver glance over your shoulder and check what others around you are doing.

Look after your gear and it'll look after you. To protect yourself, wear the right clothes - leathers, gloves, boots and most importantly, a safety helmet that fits.

Do not buy second-hand kit

You do not know where it's from or what's been done to it; chances are it won't protect you properly if you have a crash.

Protecting your head

You can now easily assess how much protection a motorcycle helmet can offer in an impact. The Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme (SHARP) rates helmets from 1 to 5 stars. The more SHARP stars a helmet has, the better protection it can give. Check the SHARP website for a list of all helmets rated.

Dress for the weather

Be prepared for the weather to change. Take waterproofs and visor wipes for that sudden downpour - an uncomfortable ride can distract you from hazards.

Keep your bike clean

Regular cleaning and maintenance keeps your bike running well, and also means you're up close to it more often, so you'll spot potential problems early on.

Take care in groups

Take extra care when riding as a group - crashes often occur when riders try and keep up with a lead rider. If you're ahead, try and keep the rider behind in your mirrors so you don't have to keep stopping to re-group.

The aim behind dsa motorbike test is to reduce these number of victims.

Learner car drivers - some tips to avoid crashes with motorcyclists

You should keep the below facts in mind –

As per the information Think Road Safety website –

Motorcyclists are 57 times more likely to be injured in serious or fatal crashes than car drivers.

Some tips to avoid crashes with motorcyclists:

Keep your distance. Driving too close can intimidate a less experienced motorcyclist

Check for bikes when changing lanes. A motorcyclist may be in the space you want to move into, or moving into it fast. Remember your blind spot. For car learner drivers, its too mendatory to drive slow and turn vehicle safely.

Check for bikes when turning. Parked cars or large vehicles can obstruct your view of a motorcyclist.

Motorcyclists might pass you on either side, so double-check, whether you're turning left or right.

Check for motorcycles at junctions. Remember to look carefully for bikes, as it is often difficult to see them when they are coming out of junctions. Always look out for them before you emerge from a junction because they could be approaching faster than you think.

Park safely: Check for motorcyclists before opening a car door and ensure that your passengers do the same. When you pull away remember that motorcyclists are
narrower than cars, which can make them harder to see.


Be a safe and responsible driver; take care of vulnerable road users.