Below are some useful bike safety tips you can follow while riding your two-wheeler in India:
- Always wear a helmet while riding
Protecting your head from injuries is of utmost importance as an injury to this part of your body can prove disastrous. Many people have narrowly escaped death because of their smart decision to wear a helmet.
According to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, it is mandatory for all two-wheeler owners to wear a helmet while riding their bike or scooter in India. Not doing so can attract a penalty of Rs. 2000 or 3-month suspension of your driving license or both.
- Make yourself visible
Even the largest of bikes are the smallest vehicles on the road. Therefore, it's crucial for the rider to make himself and his motorcycle visible to other drivers so that they can maintain a safe distance with him. In particular, you should stay away from the blind spots of large vehicles such as buses and trucks.
You can wear reflective bands or bright coloured clothes and helmets to make yourself visible to other vehicles. You must take extra precautions while riding during the night or on highways. Besides, you can also put reflective bands on either sides and back of your two-wheeler.
- Maintain safe distance from other vehicles
While riding a two-wheeler, you should always maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. This is to prevent collision with another vehicle if its driver suddenly applies the brakes or changes lanes. Make sure you have enough space to move around or slow down in such a case.
Also, while overtaking a moving vehicle, ensure that there is plenty of space between the two vehicles. Avoid overtaking until you're given a pass by the vehicle moving ahead of you. Never try to cut through the space left between two moving vehicles as it could result in a lethal accident.
- Ride what you can handle
Though fancy bikes with powerful engines can fascinate you, you should avoid riding them unless you're an expert. Instead, you should ride a motorcycle which you can easily handle. In case you find it difficult to ride a motorbike, you can purchase a scooter which is relatively easier to ride and handle.
Today, there are plenty of bikes and scooters available in the Indian market. Pick the one which offers a comfortable ride, suits your physical strength, and fits in your budget.
- Wear proper safety gear
If you're someone who loves to go for long bike rides, then you need to take this tip very seriously. Before taking your bike out for a ride, you must wear adequate safety gear, including elbow guard, knee guard, jacket, and shoes. It will protect you from any severe injury in case of an accident.
Though it may feel a bit uncomfortable, especially during the summer season, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Also, make sure that no part of your clothing or accessories is dangling while riding as it can get stuck in the wheels of the two-wheeler and result in a serious repercussion.
- Avoid riding in bad weather conditions
Unpleasant weather conditions such as heavy rains, snowfall, or strong winds can increase the chances of road accidents. Roads may become slippery during such situations, and you may find it difficult to balance the two-wheeler. Therefore, it's better to avoid riding a bike during harsh weather conditions unless it's absolutely necessary.
In case you cannot avoid it, make sure your ride very carefully and follow all traffic rules. Also, keep your headlights and indicators on while riding in such conditions so that the drivers of other vehicles can easily spot you.
- Maintain your bike well
Proper maintenance is essential for your motorcycle. You should get your bike serviced at least once every six months. You should also personally inspect the condition of the tyres, air pressure, brakes, horn, clutch, suspension, lights etc. before every ride. This way, you can not only reduce the chances of an accident but also keep your bike fuel-efficient.
- Invest in a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance plan
It is mandatory for every vehicle plying on Indian roads to have at least a valid third-party motor insurance policy. However, it's better to invest in a comprehensive two-wheeler insurance plan for your prized possession. Apart from providing the third-party coverage, it protects you from incurring financial losses due to theft or damage to your bike.
You can either visit the insurer's branch office to purchase the policy or buy an online two-wheeler insurance policy from the convenience of your home. Insurers like ICICI Lombard allow you to instantly buy a new Two Wheeler Insurance policy or renew your existing policy online.