| The Department of Transportation recommends | | | | grip provide the rider protection from a number |
| using the following protective gear for safety: | | | | of risks. A safety oriented, protected motorcyclist |
| DOT (Department of Transportation) approved | | | | will wear boots with heels that fit on motorcycle |
| motorcycle helmet with a high safety rating, good | | | | foot rests (pegs) that also provide ankle support. |
| quality leather jacket, thick leather chaps or | | | | Tough, strong, moderately flexible boots with stiff |
| leather trousers to protect your legs, leather | | | | soles provide the rider protection from a number |
| gloves to protect your hands, and leather boots | | | | of risks. If the boots have heels, they should be |
| to protect your feet and ankles. Protective | | | | low and wide to provide a stable base when |
| clothing, such as a jacket, boots, and gloves | | | | standing with the bike. Extensive research has |
| reduce rider injury severity and, therefore play an | | | | shown that heavy leather boots or boots |
| important role of preventing or at least decreasing | | | | designed specifically for motorcycle riding are the |
| the degree of injury should a crash or fall occur. | | | | only types of footwear that offer any foot |
| Weather protection is also an important aspect of | | | | protection in a crash. When shopping for |
| PPE not mentioned above is protection from the | | | | motorcycle boots, be sure that they are labeled |
| elements. PPE provides protection from wind, rain | | | | as such because their construction is different as |
| and cold. . Protective clothing and equipment serve | | | | they have special seams and different techniques |
| a three-fold purpose for motorcyclists: comfort, | | | | are applied for more resistance to abrasion, crush |
| protection from the elements, and some measure | | | | protection, and tear resistance so they provide |
| of injury protection. Remember that the | | | | better injury prevention. Besides the obvious |
| passenger needs safely gear as well. | | | | abrasion, as you probably already know, on most |
| Protective clothing, such as a jacket, boots, and | | | | motorcycles there are many hot parts that reside |
| gloves reduce rider injury severity and, therefore | | | | near your feet and ankles: Motorcycle boots help |
| play an important role of preventing or at least | | | | prevents unnecessary injury to these areas by |
| decreasing the degree of injury should a crash or | | | | placing a thick barrier between your lower legs, |
| fall occur. Another idea that comes to mind is | | | | feet, and ankles. The choice of buying boots with |
| weather protection and not mentioned above is | | | | reflective tapes or placing some on the boots |
| protection from the elements. PPE provides | | | | yourself, (this tape can usually be purchased very |
| protection from wind, rain and cold. The | | | | easily at a number of online merchants or if you |
| Department of Transportation recommends using | | | | prefer to fight traffic and shop around some |
| the following protective gear for safety: DOT | | | | department stores also "should" stock it). |
| (Department of Transportation) approved | | | | Protect Your Hands |
| motorcycle helmet with a high safety rating, good | | | | Besides abrasion protection, gloves usually offer a |
| quality leather jacket, thick leather chaps or | | | | better grip on the controls, especially in extreme |
| leather trousers to protect your legs, leather | | | | weather and when riding on rough surfaces. They |
| gloves to protect your hands, and leather boots | | | | also provide some level of protection against |
| to protect your feet and ankles. Protective | | | | flying objects, such as rocks thrown by traffic or |
| clothing and equipment serve a three-fold purpose | | | | insects (yuck). Motorcycling gloves are typically |
| for motorcyclists: comfort, protection from the | | | | gloves made of leather with some type of |
| elements, and some measure of injury protection. | | | | padding. Gloves provide more safety if they |
| Donot forget to supply the passenger with safety | | | | cover the wrist area and fingers, this provides |
| gear also. | | | | extra support in case of a crash or fall. |
| Stay Visible: Extreme Visibility is Very Important | | | | Protect Your Head. The Most Important |
| One of the main reasons motorcyclists are killed | | | | Protection: The Helmet |
| in crashes is because the motorcycle itself | | | | Most bikers know that helmets add protection |
| provides virtually no protection in a crash. Also it is | | | | and most states require that every biker and |
| no surprise that the majority of motorcycle | | | | passenger use one. Maybe I'm wrong but I thing |
| automobile accidents are due to poor visibily. Make | | | | that the simple act of putting on a helmet is a |
| yourself visible: Choose protective gear that will | | | | reminder that you are about to participate in a |
| increase both the rider and passenger visibility in | | | | very dangerous activity and this simple act places |
| addition to providing protection in the event of a | | | | your unconscious mind in safety mode. A helmet |
| crash. LED lighting improves motorcycle visibility, | | | | also provides eye protection and decreases wind |
| and horns provide sound warnings to keep others | | | | noise which allow the rider to see and hear better. |
| on the road aware of your presence. Remember | | | | The major function of the motorcycle helmet is |
| to utilize the use of bright colors, white, neon | | | | to prevent injury to the head. The style of |
| colors, or reflective material, a means for other | | | | helmets with full face protection, helps to protect |
| motorists to see the motorcyclist and also the | | | | the lower jaw. There is a new helmet on the |
| passenger. | | | | market now that incorporates a full face helmet |
| Protect Your Body: Jackets and Trousers | | | | for better protection in which the face/jaw shield |
| Jackets and trousers should be made of | | | | portion can be lifted up and opened. This feature |
| heavy-weight, durable material like leather or | | | | allows for better communication function ability |
| denim. Clothing worn when riding a motorcycle | | | | while also making the helmet as easy to put on |
| should provide some measure of protection from | | | | and take off as the popular open faced models, |
| abrasion in the event of a spill, accidental contact | | | | When purchasing a helmet, look for those that |
| with the hot parts of the motorcycle, nasty bug | | | | meet a high protection standard as indicated on a |
| splats, and also in case of fire occurring as a | | | | tag or on the helmet itself, Unfortunately there |
| result of the crash. The most common leather | | | | are helmets being sold that do not meet the |
| used for motorcycle wear is from cattle such as | | | | Department of Transportation (DOT) standard |
| beef. Horse leather is sometimes used and also | | | | and do not provide the level of protection needed |
| provides excellent protection. Originally, motorcycle | | | | while riding your motorcycle, much less offer |
| leathers were adapted from tank corps gear | | | | safety from injury should a fall or crash occur. |
| immediately following World War I. Thick, tough | | | | Keep Yourself Safe by Keeping Your Motorcycle |
| leather provides the most abrasion resistance in a | | | | Safe: Please Remember the Safety Checks |
| crash, but fabrics such as cordura, kevlar and | | | | It is very important to remember to check that |
| ballistic nylon provide significant protection too. | | | | all lights are working properly on your motorcycle; |
| Airbag system technology is now available to be | | | | this should include the headlights, tail lights, signal |
| fitted to jackets and vests for accident | | | | lights, brake lights. Be sure to also check the |
| protection and impact protection for both riders | | | | motorcycle horn before each ride as well, if |
| and passengers. Trousers should be made of the | | | | present. If you don't have one purchase one and |
| same material as jackets, usually including special | | | | make sure it is properly installed. Visually assess |
| protection for the knees and hips. Increasingly, | | | | the condition and routing of control cables, making |
| motorcyclists are choosing protective equipment | | | | sure they move freely, also check that cables are |
| constructed of man-made textiles rather than | | | | not so tight as to interfere with steering. Make |
| leather due to their improved weather protection, | | | | sure the cables have no sharp angles and replace |
| from heat, cold, and water. These garments tend | | | | any frayed cables found immediately. Check to |
| to provide greater convenience in terms of | | | | make sure your throttle moves freely, with no |
| pockets and vents. Eventhough becoming popular, | | | | sticking and snaps closed when released. Always |
| PPE constructed of textile fabrics offer much less | | | | remember to check shocks and forks to make |
| protection for abrasion than leather does. | | | | sure they are properly adjusted and travel freely. |
| Protect Your Feet, Ankles, and Lower Legs | | | | Any attached load should be inspected and |
| Proper footwear for motorcycle riding gives | | | | reinspected periodically to make sure it is securely |
| superior protection for the feet, ankles, and lower | | | | fastened, and that any straps are tight, have no |
| parts of the legs. Sandals, sneakers, and similar | | | | loose ends, and not freely moving. Every safe |
| footwear should not be used since they provide | | | | rider should practice observation skills and being |
| very little to NO protection from abrasion or a | | | | aware of her/his surroundings. Enjoy the |
| crushing impact. Despite their toughness and | | | | freedom, the ride, the great outdoors, but stay |
| protection, most boots are very lightweight. | | | | alert and concentrate on riding safely as well. |
| Tough, strong, moderately flexible boots with stiff | | | | Happy riding! |
| rubber, oil/chemical resistance soles with a good | | | | Written by Leah L Fitzgerald. |