Tips on Riding a Motorcycle in a Big City

While motorcycles are great commuter vehicles, riding your model in a large city—especially during heavy traffic—can definitely be dangerous. While the road itself may not present any hazards, other drivers can pose a serious risk if you don’t know how to conduct yourself. For tips on how to stay safe on your motorcycle, even when riding through busy city streets, check out our article below. 

Be Visible 

Motorcycles are much smaller than your average car, and many motorists forget to keep their eyes out for these vehicles. When driving in the city, do your best to remain as visible as possible both night and day. If your motorcycle model doesn’t already have a horn be sure to have one installed to alert other drivers to your presence. A roll of reflective tape applied to both your motorcycle and helmet can help ensure you’re spotted once night falls. 

Escape Lanes

Drivers are supposed to leave enough space between vehicles to ensure that; if one party is in an accident, the other doesn’t end up caught in the crossfire. However, a majority of motorists don’t give motorcycles this required space, making it incredibly important for riders to keep an eye out for—and stay close to—escape lanes. These are lanes or areas (such as the turning lane, the road’s shoulder, or even extra space between two other vehicles) a rider can quickly pull into to get away from a driver they expect is about to crash into them. 

For more helpful riding tips, or to shop motorcycle accessories, parts, or models for sale, stop here at Wisconsin Harley-Davidson® in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin! We proudly serve the nearby cities of Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, and look forward to assisting you with all of your motorcycle needs.