Due to the low visibility, riding a motorbike at night can be dangerous. Still, if you take all essential precautions, you can safely ride without endangering yourself or anybody else on the road. Here are some safety recommendations for nighttime motorcycle riding.
Safety Tips For Riding a Motorcycle At Night
1. Wear a Brightly Coloured Helmet
The helmet is typically the simplest thing to see from a distance because it is mounted in the tallest position on the motorcycle (with you inside). Please take advantage of this fact when it’s dark outside by wearing a brightly colored helmet with reflective tape so that motorists can see you from a distance.
Neon, brilliant blue, and yellow are among colors that are simpler to notice in low light, So if you frequently ride after dark through an area with poor road lighting, pick a motorbike helmet with one of these eye-catching hues. A garment in the same color family will go well with the helmet.
2. Put On Reflective Safety Equipment
The excellent concept of using your current riding gear without spending money on new ones while still making yourself readily visible to others is to add reflective tapes to your helmet and riding jacket. Reflective tapes are inexpensive and can be applied to various exposed bike and gear surfaces. It is preferable to be safe than sorry when biking at night.
3. Avoid Being Blinded By Oncoming Vehicles
Ride in the lane that is farthest from the opposing direction of traffic. Generally speaking, the left-most street is preferable to the right-most road for minimizing glare from approaching cars and trucks. While doing so, remember that traffic leaves motorways and busy routes from the left-most lane. Keep an eye out for vehicles trying to escape the streets before or behind you.
4. Before Overtaking, Flash Your Headlights
Always flash your lights when approaching a car to overtake it so the driver can know what you’re planning to do before you make a move. Most cars keep their windows up to avoid the chilly air while riding during the winter, making it difficult for them to hear your horn. Therefore, in addition to blowing your funnel, you should flash your lights to alert the rider in front that you are about to attempt an overtaking action.
5. Ride Within The Light Beam’s Range
Make sure to make the error of cycling within the range of your headlights. Keep the speed under control so that, even in an emergency, you have enough time to apply the brakes and bring the motorcycle to a stop without colliding with anything in front of you. Installing aftermarket flood lights on your bike is one way to get over this restriction because they’ll increase your visibility, especially if you’re going on a road lacking street lights.
6. Before Nighttime Driving, Clean The Visor
Having dirt and grime on your motorcycle helmet’s windshield or visor can scatter light from approaching vehicles, resulting in a hazy situation that makes it exceedingly challenging for you to see objects in front of you. Wipe the visor/windshield clean with an old newspaper or a soft cotton cloth before you start the ride. You can also clean the visor with your handkerchief if none is available before the trip.
7. When Visibility Is Low, Use Danger Lights
Even if you have reflective tape on the motorbike helmet and other visible surfaces of the vehicle, it may be a good idea to utilize warning lights in addition to all of that so that other drivers on the road can notice you. Motorcycles are difficult to spot on the road, especially after dark. You can check out aftermarket choices if your bike still needs factory-installed hazard lights because they are affordable and worthwhile.
8. Protect Your Eyes
The most crucial advice for safety while riding a motorcycle in the dark is to keep your eyesight sharp. You must be able to see other drivers on the road and ensure that other vehicles can see you well. Therefore, you must take good care of your eyes and refrain from being overexposed to blue light from cell phone screens right before you ride. Eat a nutritious, well-balanced meal containing vitamin A, or take a vitamin supplement after contacting your ophthalmologist.
9. Drive Alert and Take Breaks
The monotony of a night ride can make you tired, especially when it takes a lot of attention to riding in the dark. To stay alert, frequently stop for brief rests along the route.
10. Drunk Drivers
The night is a celebration when there are drunk drivers! That means being especially cautious around drunk drivers. According to statistics, more than 16% of drivers on weekends at night are impaired.
CONCLUSION
Riding a motorcycle at night is thrilling and offers a unique and enjoyable motorcycling experience. Use caution by following the advice mentioned above because the risks are more significant at night than during the day. First and foremost, make your own decision over whether or not to continue riding in the dark at night.
