About Motorcycle Safety
As a motorcyclist you know that any traffic collision can become life threatening. One of the most common and devastating consequences of a crash is a traumatic brain injury. NJ Smart Riders, presented by the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey and sponsored by Rider Insurance, highlights the precautions both drivers and riders can take to share the road:
71
percentage of motorcycle riders that use a helmet 50
average age of NJ motorcycle owners 86
percentage of motorcycle owners are male 300
thousand motorcycle owners in NJSmart Gear
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15 percent more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash. Wearing a Department of Transportation (DOT) – approved helmet can significantly reduce the risk of brain injury, and even save your life. New Jersey has a mandatory helmet law that requires motorcyclists to wear a protective helmet with either a neck or chin strap that is reflectorized on both sides, while riding. It’s a rider’s best defense against an injury or worse… a fatality.
Helmets reduce the risk of death by 30 percent. Your DOT-approved helmet should:
- Weigh approximately 3 lbs.
- Have 1 inch of polystyrene foam
- Have sturdy chin straps
- Have a label on the outside-back of the helmet with the letters “DOT”
- Have a label on the inside that includes manufacturer, model number, helmet size, MM/YY manufacture date, materials and owner information
- Be replaced every 5 years, or after any kind of crash
Does your helmet pass the safety test? Find out here>
 | Full-face helmets cover the entire head and most of the face. A clear acrylic visor slides over the view port to block out wind, rain and dust and to ease eye fatigue. These helmets are considered the safest in terms of protection, as they cover the widest area of the head and face. |
 | Three quarter shell helmets are similar to full-face helmets, except they do not cover the face. The shell extends from the brow over the cranium to the base of the neck and forward over the ears. These helmets afford much of the same protection as full-face helmets. |
 | Half shell helmets cover only the top half of the head. Though they weigh the least, half shell helmets don’t cover the ears, offer the least wind resistance and offer the least protection. |
 | Modular helmets are a combination of the open-face motorcycle helmet and the full-face motorcycle helmet. This style helmet permits the wearer to raise the helmet’s chin bar out of the way, allowing the rider to simply remove a barrier without removing their helmet. There are many manufacturers making DOT-approved modular helmets. |
The only thing between you and the road is your protective gear!
- Eye Protection: Make sure you have an approved shield on your helmet or wear a pair of goggles/safety glasses with a Z rating. Keep your shield or glasses clean and scratch-free.
- Reflective Clothing: Wear reflective clothing and apply reflective stickers or tape to parts of your motorcycle.
- Jackets & Pants: Leather jackets and pants or outerwear with rigid “body armor” inserts offer the most protection from abrasion
- Gloves: Well-fitting, full-fingered leather gloves
- Footwear: Over-the-ankle boots that fully cover your feet, made of strong leather with rubber soles and good tread design
- Hearing Protection: Use disposable foam earplugs or reusable custom-molded devices for noise reduction.
Be sure to check your motorcycle before every ride and stay on top of routine maintenance.
When buying a motorcycle, look for antilock brakes and traction control. These safety features can help you avoid or survive a crash. Always check your motorcycle before you go:
- Make sure your headlight works and is on day and night
A modulating headlamp is more visible than a standard lamp. Consider installing auxiliary lighting or running lamps in addition to originally equipped lights. LEDs are becoming more popular over conventional incandescent bulbs and are often found on newer motorcycles. After-market LED bulbs can also be purchased to replace standard bulbs. LEDs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, emit 40-50% more intensity, use less voltage and do not generate heat. Replacing a motorcycle’s OEM bulbs with LEDs can help increase the visibility of brake lights and turn signals.
- Check your tires and tire pressure regularly.
Slightly underinflated tires can drastically reduce a rider’s ability to brake and corner and can spell disaster in wet conditions.
– Clean your sidewalls with mild soap to prevent the rubber from degrading
– Clean your rearview mirror
– Always take along your tool kit!
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Smart Judgment
At a moment’s notice, things can change on the road. Riding a motorcycle requires extra concentration and judgment. Having a sense of adventure is great, but it’s no substitute for common sense! Be alert, aware and in control before you hop on your bike.
Traction becomes significantly reduced when riding a motorcycle during or just after a rain. Always make sure your PSI levels are kept at manufacturer specifications. Vehicles deposit oil, brake fluid, fuel and other residues on the road over time. When the rain commences, fluid residues and deposits are lifted and create slick areas on the road. Traction in these areas at the beginning of a rain shower can be similar to encountering a sheet of black ice.
Most crashes between a motorcycle and a car happen at intersections, invading your right of way. Check for traffic coming from both sides. ALWAYS look in your mirrors, use your signal and look over your shoulder.
Road conditions can change in an instant – whether there’s rain, snow, oil or an over-sized pothole, 100 percent of a rider’s concentration is needed. Judging distances, speed and braking are just a few of things that must be done quickly to avoid a potential crash. Riders need to pay attention to what traffic is doing ahead of them at all times.
Passengers add extra weight, which affects handling. Adjust the suspension and tire pressure to compensate. Remember, the more weight on the motorcycle, the longer it may take to stop.
Remember, laws are designed to keep everyone safe. Obey speed limits, traffic rules and make sure you follow at a safe distance. Refrain from aggressive and dangerous ridding that puts you and others on the road in jeopardy.
For large groups of 5 or more: 1) Break off in smaller groups, 2) Ride in a staggered formation – NOT side by side, 3) Keep at least a two-second following distance from the motorcycle in front of you, and 4) Pass other vehicles individually, when safe – not in pairs or groups.
Alcohol or other drugs slows your reaction time and impairs your judgement – increasing the chance of a crash by 5 times. Over-the-counter, prescription, or illegal drugs may have side effects that increase the risks as well.
Your DOT-approved helmet should be replaced every 5 years
LEARN MORESmart Training
Professional training courses are the best way to prepare riders for challenges on the road. Rider training courses are available at all learning levels through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
Be a life-long learner! Riding courses teach and improve a variety of skills, including:
- Hand and foot controls
- Effective turning
- Braking maneuvers
- Proper gear selection
- Obstacle avoidance
- Traffic strategies
Many insurance carriers offer a discount for completing a certified training course every 2-3 years. Contact your carrier for details.
Whether you’re getting on a motorcycle for the first time or you’ve been riding for years, there’s a motorcycle course to help you improve:
- Basic Rider Course (BRC) – For the new rider, the BRC provides you with five hours of in classroom-style instruction and prepares you for 10 hours of hands-on riding exercises in a controlled, off-street environment. Learn more >
- Basic Rider 2 (BRC2) (formerly the ERC) – The BRC2 will enhance your mental and physical skills and enable you to better respond to unexpected road and traffic situations. You may be eligible for a two-point reduction from your driving record and a defensive driving course credit from your insurance company (check with your insurance carrier).
- Advance Rider Course (ARC) – A one-day course that complements a rider’s basic skills and helps with personal risk assessment. The course is beneficial for riders on any type of street motorcycle.
- Street Rider Course 1 (SRC1) – For newly licensed riders, it is designed to be the first street riding experience under the supervision and guidance of a Rider Coach. The program includes classroom activities to improve perception, and has practice time on basic riding skills.
- Street Rider Course 2 (SRC2) – Enhances the basic skills and strategies that are provided in SRC1, and adds time/mileage to the on-cycle experiences in a local area. This program is for riders who wish to delve deeper into the perceptual strategies of street riding.
| NJ Training Providers | Location(s) | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Barb’s Harley Davidson | 926 Black Horse Pike West Collingswood Hts. | (856) 456-4141 |
| Bergen Harley Davidson and Buell | 124 Essex St, Rochelle Park | (201) 843-6930 ext.170 |
| Central Jersey Rider Training, Inc. | • Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing • Mercer County Community College, West Windsor | 1-877-308-2578 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | 1000 River Road, Teaneck | 1-800-338-3887 |
| Harley-Davidson/Buell of Ocean County | 300 Route 70, Lakewood | (732) 367-7000 |
| Motorcycle Riding Centers | • Riverdale National Guard Armory, Riverdale •W Orange Armory, 1315 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange | (201) 787-0661 |
| Motorcycle Rider Training Inc. | Raceway Park, 230 Pension Road, Englishtown | (732) 905-7448 |
| Rider Education of New Jersey | • Warren County Technical School, Washington • County College of Morris, Randolph • Raritan Valley Community College, North Branch • Piscataway Vo-tech, Piscataway • Brookdale Community College, Lincroft | (732) 572-0800 or 1-800-8WE-RIDE |
| Rider Training Of NJ at Camden County College | 200 College Drive, Blackwood | (856) 374-4955 |
| The Riding Academy of NJ, Inc. | 2 Shady Street, Paterson | (973) 742-2300 |
- AAA – AAA Motorcycle Safety provides information and resources on motorcycle safety
- Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ) provides information about how to prevent a brain injury and resources and support for people affected by brain injury.
- Motorcycle Safety Foundation – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is a not-for-profit organization that is a developer of internationally recognized motorcycle rider education and training curricula.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), implements safety programs, sets safety performance standard and conducts research.
- New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety – NJDHTS provides general motorcycle safety facts, tips and resources.
- State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission – NJ MVC promotes motor vehicle safety by delivering secure, effective and professional motor vehicle services.
