FROM THE EXPERTS
February Was Gorgeous!
Situational Awareness And Riding In The Winter
I’m not going to sugarcoat this… there were far too
many injuries and fatalities on Colorado’s highways
and side streets in February. Why? The weather
was incredible! And what does that mean? More
motorcyclists jumped on their bikes and took to the
roads.
Motorcycle accidents always increase in the
spring when the weather gets warm but thanks
to unseasonably warm weather in January and
February this year, we lost some friends and are
helping others cope with lost work and medical costs
due to accidents.
Now, I’m not going to tell you to stay off your bike!
(As if!) This article simply reminds you of all the skills
you hone over the long summer months, skills that
are not as alert in January and February. These are
the skills that keep you alive on Colorado’s highways.
In a nutshell, it all comes down to preparation and
“situational awareness.”
Is your bike ready? It’s a gorgeous day in the snowy
season and you want to ride. Before you get on
your motorcycle, though, make sure that it is in good
working order. If it’s been sitting a few months, make
sure to inspect your brakes and tires. Rev it up… is it
running properly? Do you have good gas in the tank
or has it gone bad and gummy? Go through a mental
checklist before hopping on to make sure that your
bike responds to your body the way it should.
Are you insured? Some people turn off their
insurance in the winter months, which is fine… as
long as you stay off your bike! If you plan to take a
ride, make sure you call your insurance agent and
turn your coverage back on. To learn more about
the types of insurance you should carry, click here.
[hyperlink to: https://osullivan-law-firm.com/areas-ofpractice/motorcycle-accident/motorcycles-insurancematters/]
skills a bit rusty, but other drivers also haven’t been
watching out for motorcyclists. You have to ride like
nobody can see you.
❱❱ Assume that the person driving toward you in
oncoming traffic will make a left-hand turn in
front of you.
❱❱ Don’t race through intersections.
❱❱ Don’t approach intersections going so fast
that you can’t see what the oncoming traffic
is doing. The most common motorcycle
accident occurs when a cyclist is racing
through an intersection and a car takes a lefthand turn right into him.
❱❱ Watch for cars coming out from side streets.
For example, if you’re riding on Wadsworth
and you’re in the lane closest to the curb, you
must always be aware of cars coming out
of parking lots or side streets. Assume that
you’re invisible.
I’m not trying to take the fun out a spontaneously
gorgeous day. I just want to make sure you make
it home safely once the sun starts to set and the
temperatures drop again.
Have fun out there!
For More Information visit The O’Sullivan Law Firm
at 600 Ogden Street, Denver Colorado 80218,
phone (303) 388-5304 or on the web at www.
OSullivanLawFirm.com
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Ride like you’re invisible. You haven’t been out on
your motorcycle in several months. Not only are your
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March 2015
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 21