Auto Garage - Motorcycle Safety: Motorcycle Passengers
by Shawnee Bowlin
FeedTheVillage.com - Tips and Advice: Motorcycle Passengers
When most people consider motorcycle safety, it is limited to the actual drivers of the bikes. Riding with a passenger also takes some extra skill. Passengers add weight and movement to the motorcycle. Passengers should also know how to be safe, both for their own sake and for that of the driver. Knowing how to lean, knowing how to wave--should they feel compelled to do so, knowing how to shift weight, knowing how to mount the bike, and knowing how to dismount are all important aspects of being a passenger on a bike. The passenger should also be equipped with the appropriate gear and clothing for the duration of the ride. Saddlebags can be a huge benefit to a bike, especially when carrying a passenger. But...these bags can also be somewhat of an annoyance if they are in the way of the rider. There is also the position of the windshield to consider. A proper windshield can be a blessing for the driver. But some windshields are meant to look more cool than to be functional. I have ridden on bikes where the windshield seemingly provided no extra protection from wind. Sometimes it may have been in the perfect position for the driver, but the passenger was at just the right height to catch the air as it flowed above the windshield. In this instance, it is a great idea for the passenger to always be aware of when to keep their mouths shut. Inhaling an unexpected insect is no fun and can cause a wreck should you feel the sudden urge to gag. (Another reason to wear a helmet which also includes a face shield!) Although riding as a passenger can be more fun because of the extra freedom from the responsibility of actually driving the bike, the passenger must still acknowledge their own part in the safety of the trip. So, please, help make the ride safe all around.
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