Motorcycle Safety: What Are the Benefits of Driver Safety Courses?

While motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities. Many people consider learning to drive a motorcycle at some point in their life, but few go through with it.

Motorcycles handle a lot differently than a car, so it’s important that you take lessons to ensure you’re a safe driver. While most people learn to drive a car through driver’s ed, you’re left to your own devices when it comes to motorcycles. 

Whether you’re a new rider or you’ve been riding motorcycles for years, taking a few motorcycle driver safety courses is a good idea. You’re never too old to learn more about safe driving, and when it comes to road safety you need to do everything in your power to keep yourself and others on the road safe.

Keep reading to find out more about motorcycle driver safety courses.

Motorcycle Laws

When you take a motorcycle safety course, they’ll also cover the laws of the state you’re in. Some states prohibit lane splitting unless you’re lane filtering and require specific gear to legally drive a motorcycle. By covering this info, you’ll be able to drive legally in your state.

Courses that cover this information are extremely useful not only to avoid fines but if you are in an accident, you know you’ve covered your bases. Depending on your state’s motorcycle license laws, you may also need to pass a motorcycle safety course to get your motorcycle license. It’s important that you do your research beforehand.

For more information, check out this guide to motorcycle accident laws.

Designed for Novice Riders

The majority of motorcycle safety courses are designed for novice riders and are the recommended first step for all new riders. Think of these courses as driver’s ED, but for motorcycles.

These courses provide expert-level instruction to new riders while giving them a safe environment to practice in. This allows new riders to observe and practice in a less overwhelming environment before they hit the road. 

Most basic courses will have a few hours of classroom instruction where the laws and rules of the road are covered, as well as best motorcycling practices, and basic bike operation. This is then followed by practical on-bike instruction on a closed course.

The practical portion of the course will cover:

  • Mounting
  • Starting
  • Accelerating
  • Slowing
  • Stopping
  • Shifting and matching gears
  • Anticipating a variety of traffic situations

Most basic courses will also focus on the skills needed to get your license. 

Improves the Reputation of Cyclists

Motorcyclists don’t have the best reputation when it comes to responsible driving. Motorcyclists are often viewed as irresponsible and reckless drivers, especially since motorcycle accidents tend to be severe. 

If you understand the best practices and have taken defensive driving courses you can improve the reputation of motorcyclists. When you’re on your bike you need to be as sharp as possible and always look out for possible traffic situations. 

All it takes is one bad decision to end up in an accident. While safety courses won’t make you immune to accidents, you’ll have the skills and know-how to prevent many situations without injury. Sometimes it just takes a bit of training in simulated situations to know how to get out of them in real life.

Intermediate Courses

Motorcycle safety courses aren’t just for beginners! An intermediate course is designed with experienced riders in mind. These courses have instructors that examine your driving skills, provide feedback to correct bad habits, and offer new techniques.

With intermediate courses, riders bring their own bikes to the class. This allows you to focus on your driving as you won’t be distracted by an unfamiliar vehicle.

Many intermediate courses include defensive driving in the curriculum. Since you’re using a smaller vehicle than the majority of drivers, it’s important that you have the skills and strategies for defensive driving. A safety course will ensure you know how to respond to safety risks from other drivers and keep you safe on the road.

Specialized Skill Training

Motorcycle safety courses aren’t all built the same way. You can find specialized training courses for your preferred style of bike.  

While a scooter isn’t a motorcycle, in many cases they’re viewed the same way. That’s why it’s important to find a safety course that specializes in scooters. Scooters are most popular in urban areas with heavy traffic, and the type of instruction will differ from that of an open-road course.

You need to consider your specific needs when picking a safety course. Think about when and how you’ll be using your vehicle and find a course that matches. While it’s important to be able to use your bike in any circumstance, the way you use it most often is what you need to focus on.

There are countless options available when it comes to safety courses. You can even find courses specifically geared to racing, stunt riding, and dirt biking. If there is a skill you want to master, you just need to do the research to find a reputable course. 

Consider Taking Motorcycle Driver Safety Courses

When it comes to motorcycle driver safety courses, you’ll never waste your time. There is always something new you can learn, or you might just refresh your memory on some important safety precautions. So go ahead and book your motorcycle safety course today!

If you liked this article on motorcycle safety, check out our sports bike section for more content.

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