Attitude

Attitude

Your attitude is one of the most important safety factors each and every time you go for a ride.

Ride with the right attitude, with your safety at the forefront of your mind, and it will make a real difference to the way in which you view and deal with the hazards facing you.

As you turn the ignition key, take a few moments to consider the journey ahead, how you are feeling and how you are going to ride.

Aggressive behaviour and disregard for the rules of the road will increase the risk to you and others using the road.

Attitudes to risk

We have all said or thought "it will never happen to me"; even if we accept that there is a degree of risk each and every time we ride.

Do you recognise any of the following attitudes in yourself or others?

• Thinking you are in full control but overestimating your ability.
  
  
• Being the showman and trying to impress others.
  
  
• Thrill-seeking at the expense of speed limits and other road laws.
  
  
• A disregard for personal safety or the safety of others.

 

It is with the attitudes above that you will come unstuck. Take control of your attitude each and every time you ride, get your head into the right gear and stay safe.

Know your limits

Are you in control? Do you ever feel under pressure to ride beyond your own safety limits?

We all experience pressure, to reach an appointment on time, or to keep up with other riders in a group. The danger is to focus on these pressures instead of riding well and safely and that is when mistakes are made.

To avoid being under pressure, plan your journey well so that you have at least 30 minutes spare when you reach your destination. This will give you time to concentrate on the road ahead and reduce the risk of collision.

Many riders filter between lines of slower moving traffic. It is easy to become complacent about this manoeuvre and forget the risks it involves. Why not leave a few minutes earlier so that you can take a little more time when filtering. This alone will reduce the risk to you considerably.

It is important to remain safe each and every moment that you are on the road so that you can continue to enjoy your riding for many years to come. So be honest with yourself, know your limits and stay within them.

What is really important?

The attraction of owning and riding any modern bike is immense. There is so much choice, such high performance, and of course the freedom that comes with riding on an open road.

As bikers, we all know how much fun it is to go out on your bike on a sunny day with a few mates, along a favourite route. But last year 21 riders in the Thames Valley never made it back home. A further 225 did make it home, but only after suffering serious injuries.

What is really important to you? Your life? Your loved ones?

Just take a few moments to consider your responsibilities and what would happen if it all went wrong.

Make sure you balance your priorities and always put your safety first, it will not spoil your fun, but it might save your life.