CHECK YOUR GEAR: IS IT THE BEST FOR YOU?
Personal protective equipment, or gear as it is often referred to, has the ability to enhance your ride and empower you as a rider. In addition to heightening your style, DOT-compliant helmets, gloves, boots and jackets can help protect you from injuries in the event of a crash, and can also protect you from sunburn, windburn, and dehydration.
Manufacturers are constantly updating gear to provide the best protection. If your riding gear is over five years old, consider newer gear that offers the latest in materials, conspicuity and personal injury protection.
Without the protection of a ton of steel, a rider’s head, arms, and legs are vulnerable and most prone to injury in a crash. Besides keeping you warm and dry, protective clothing and equipment can keep you safe.
CHECK YOUR GEAR: IS IT THE BEST FOR YOU?
Personal protective equipment, or gear as it is often referred to, has the ability to enhance your ride and empower you as a rider. In addition to heightening your style, DOT-compliant helmets, gloves, boots and jackets can help protect you from injuries in the event of a crash, and can also protect you from sunburn, windburn, and dehydration.
Manufacturers are constantly updating gear to provide the best protection. If your riding gear is over five years old, consider newer gear that offers the latest in materials, conspicuity and personal injury protection.
Without the protection of a ton of steel, a rider’s head, arms, and legs are vulnerable and most prone to injury in a crash. Besides keeping you warm and dry, protective clothing and equipment can keep you safe.
HELMETS
Helmets are the most important piece of safety equipment for a motorcyclist to reduce the extent of head injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a non-helmeted motorcyclist is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15 percent more likely to suffer a nonfatal head injury than a helmeted rider if involved in a crash (NHTSA, 2000).
HELMETS
Helmets are the most important piece of safety equipment for a motorcyclist to reduce the extent of head injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a non-helmeted motorcyclist is 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15 percent more likely to suffer a nonfatal head injury than a helmeted rider if involved in a crash (NHTSA, 2000).
EYE PROTECTION
Florida requires the use of an eye protective device when operating a motorcycle. Even if your bike has a windshield, proper eyewear helps protect your eyes from insects, dirt, rocks, or other airborne matter. The wind can cause eyes to tear and blur vision, and good vision is imperative when riding.
CLOTHING
The clothes you select for riding should be designed to protect your skin in case you fall. Proper clothing will also protect you during bad weather.
CLOTHING
The clothes you select for riding should be designed to protect your skin in case you fall. Proper clothing will also protect you during bad weather.
GLOVES
Durable gloves make it easier to grip the controls, help protect your hands from the elements, and help lessen injury if you fall.
GLOVES
Durable gloves make it easier to grip the controls, help protect your hands from the elements, and help lessen injury if you fall.
FOOTWEAR
Proper footwear will protect your feet, ankles, and lower parts of the legs.
This site is maintained by the Center For Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida. For additional information, please e-mail questions or comments to MotorcycleSafety@cutr.usf.edu.