Motorcycle Riding Does Not Have to Stop in the Cold Seasons—If You Anticipate the Risks

In the fall and winter seasons, we know—as avid riders—that there are a few different things to consider, unlike in the spring and summer when traveling safely on roadways. For instance, as temperatures drop, the rubber compounds of motorcycle tires lose some of their traction (or “stickiness”) and cannot adhere to road surfaces as well as they do in warmer climates. Hence, in anticipation of how tires can react to coldness, riders should reduce their speed while cornering and allow for more stopping distance.

Moreover, fewer motorcycles appear on the road during the fall and winter. As a result, car drivers may develop an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality, making it even more important for riders to be seen. Choosing the right motorcycle gear—as in type and color—can help. For example, donning clothes that are brightly colored (i.e., white, yellow, orange, or fluorescent) and made with reflective materials (i.e., a motorcycle vest) is effective. Gear that looks more like Darth Vader than a rider does not help. We do not know if loud pipes save lives, but brighter colors just might.

One personal experience that convinced me (Brad) of the importance of making sure we are seen while riding happened while I was at a red light behind another car. I recognized the sound of sliding tires as a car that had not seen me oon enough rear-ended me, pushing my motorcycle into the vehicle in front of me. Fortunately, I was not hurt, but my motorcycle was not as lucky. When I asked the driver of the car what had happened, he replied, “I just didn’t see you in time…” My choice of a darker clothing color and sand on the road played two big parts in the accident.

Another factor in fall and winter motorcycle accidents is sand and gravel on the roads, making cornering and quick stopping more difficult. Some areas have an abundance of leaves on the road, which adds yet another challenge. Leaves, especially wet leaves, can be just as slippery as ice, and reducing your speed can make all the difference between staying upright and going down.

The higher you go up a ladder, the riskier it gets. The same goes with motorcycle riding: the longer you ride at night, in the rain, too fast, and too fast for conditions—with leaves, sand, gravel, or potholes—the riskier it gets to have a traffic incident or accident. Eventually, the risk factors will overtake your ability to maintain control.

I (Brad) was a motorcycle safety instructor for five years. As part of every new class, I would ask all the students if they knew someone who had been involved in a motorcycle accident. Nearly everyone would raise their hand with a story about an accident. The follow-up question we asked was, “Could the accident have been prevented?” The answer was “yes” about 90 percent of the time; it could have been prevented through proper training and risk management.

The definition of safe is to be without risk. When boarding a motorcycle, riders assume risk upfront. Riders willingly accept the inherent vulnerability that comes with it in exchange for the thrill and freedom of riding. Managing risk is the key to being a safe and successful motorcycle rider for years to come.