Myths. Sometimes they’re merely amusing. Sometimes they’re genuinely dangerous. Today, we’re going to look at some of the most prevalent myths about motorcycling!
If you’re going to crash, get your bike down
Is everyone watching too many action movies, or something? A lot of motorcyclists out there think they need to lay their bike down if they’re about to crash. This certainly isn’t going to make you safer. You want to stay away from the asphalt, not get closer to it! Slam the brakes and try to go around the object.
It’s more dangerous to wear a helmet than to go without
No no no no no no. No. The rationale for this sort of thinking is usually the same old thing. “Helmets restrict your vision, making it more likely that’ll you’ll crash!” “Helmets create pressure on your neck that makes it more likely to get broken!” Both of these are complete bunk; for one thing, safety standards mean that helmets that obscure your peripheral vision are illegal. These people are underestimating the shock absorption of motorcycle helmets. Seriously, when you go flying off a motorcycle, you’re going to the ground fast. Wear a helmet.
All that other protective gear is useless
Most motorcyclists have helmets, so, thankfully, it doesn’t seem that the above myth has spread that far. But other protective gear, like gloves, kneepads, and the right jacket, are often said to be pretty much superfluous. This is especially true when it comes to gloves. Those gloves aren’t just there to keep your exposed hands warm! They’re there to help protect you against the massive amounts of damage you can do to your hands if you have an accident. Educate yourself at BikersBasics!
Most people killed in motorcycle accidents are youngsters
This makes sense, right? Surely it’s new drivers in the 18-25 demographic who are more likely to be killed? Aren’t they the ones doing all the ignorant, dangerous driving? Well, as with most of today’s problems (and against similar common thought), most of the fault isn’t actually with the kids – it’s with the grown-ups! National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stats have revealed that over 40% of motorcyclist deaths in the past decade were in the 40-45 age group, with an average age of 42. So don’t make any assumptions about all that experience!
Loud pipes increase safety
People love to say this because they want to justify the fact that love to ruin everyone else’s day with their infuriating motorcycle noises. Having said that, it seems to make sense, at first. Drivers have a harder time seeing you, right? So why not make it easier for them to hear you? Well, physics doesn’t have your back, here. The way those pipe sounds reverberate mean that it’s not really any more likely that a car up ahead will hear you any better. Better to put focus on being seen!
Being a motorcyclist makes you instantly more attractive
Um. Well, there’s certainly an element of cool to motorcycling. But there’s also, y’know, sweat and helmet hair to consider. And some people just really aren’t into leather as much as you’d think.
Tags: Being a motorcyclist motorcycle accidents are youngsters
