I was waiting at a stop light in Carson City the other day when I saw a motorcyclist traveling toward me. He was entering a turn but, for some reason he continued straight. When he realized this, he locked his brakes, hit the curb and then he went down hard onto the sidewalk and across the rocks.
I responded to help him and make sure he was not injured. Fortunately for him, he was travelling at a slow enough speed that his injuries were limited to a scraped knee, torn pants, bloody knuckles and a bruised ego. As I looked about the scene, I found one of his tennis shoes that had flown off when he crashed.
We talk a lot about wearing a helmet when riding our motorcycles but what about our clothing? Is this not as important? One good dose of “road rash” has changed many a mind on the importance of protecting our bodies while riding.
Your helmet should fit well and be DOT and-or Snell approved. This provides the best protection. A good jacket will be made of nylon, leather, or Kevlar and should be well constructed. A really good jacket will include heavy padding on the elbow, spine, and shoulders.
What about pants? You may be comfortable in denim but it lacks the strength needed to help protect your legs in crashes or falls. A good set of pants will be made with the same materials listed above. Riding suits are also available and although they can be expensive, they offer substantial protection in case you fall or are thrown from your bike.
Gloves should always be worn and there are different types available depending on what time of year you like to ride. Warm weather gloves are usually leather or Kevlar and good ones offer carbon fiber knuckle protection in the event you should fall.
Let’s not forget about boots. These should have a short heel which allows the boot to fit on the motorcycle peg while still providing good ankle support. They should be at least six inches tall so as to offer some ankle protection.
Make sure it has a good, durable rubber sole that provides traction and slip resistance. Research to see what riding gear is best for you and don’t forget about visibility. This is most important so that other vehicles see you especially at night.
How about you? All the protection in the world will not help if you are not prepared. If you are thinking about learning to ride, take a motorcycle riders course. One certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is recommended. Many organizations offer this training in our area and for a beginner the instruction is informative and fun. Ride safe this summer and enjoy the rides ahead.
— Sgt. Scott McDaniel is with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office and writes a regular column on public safety issues.