Michael Bilokonsky on What to Wear and What Not to Wear When Riding a Motorcycle
When you are riding a motorcycle, there are some things you must wear and other things that you should not wear as a matter of safety. Both categories are critical, because ignoring personal protective equipment (PPE) or wearing certain items can increase your risk of serious injury.
Michael Bilokonsky is a small business owner and avid motorcyclist from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He explains what you should wear when riding a motorcycle and what to avoid wearing at all costs.
What You Should Wear While Riding a Motorcycle
Helmet
The surest way to become seriously injured in a biking accident is to not wear a helmet. Most states require motorcyclists to wear helmets or risk a traffic violation. Regardless of traffic laws, wearing a helmet is “Motorcyclist 101.” Even a fender-bender can cause a rider to fly off their bike and hit their head.
Long Pants
While riding at higher speeds, dust and debris can feel painful against the skin unless you are wearing pants. Investing in leather or rider-friendly pants can also protect your skin from road rash in the event that you slide on the pavement in an accident, says Michael Bilokonsky.
Eye Protection
If your helmet does not have a visor, you will need eye protection. Any number of small particles are likely to fly into your eye and impair your vision.
Boots
Open-toed or tennis shoes may not protect your toes and feet from road debris. More importantly, boots will better protect your feet in the event of an accident.
Jacket
Not only can inclement weather occur at any time, but wearing a jacket protects you from dust and debris while riding, notes Michael Bilokonsky. Wearing light clothing or short sleeves makes your skin more susceptible to damage regardless of whether you fall off your bike.
Also, rider-friendly jackets will protect you from road rash as will rider-friendly long pants.
Gloves
For all the reasons listed above, protecting the skin on your hands from dust, debris, and road rash is easily managed by wearing rider-friendly gloves.
What You Should NOT Wear While Riding a Motorcycle
Just as there are things you must wear to protect yourself while riding a motorcycle, the following items could prove dangerous and increase the chances of getting into an accident.
Dark or Non-reflective Clothing
Wearing dark or non-reflective clothes can make it difficult for other motorists to see you, particularly at night. It is much safer to wear bright colors or clothing with reflective materials.
Loose Clothing
Loose clothes could easily snag on a part of your motorcycle or a foreign object, says Michael Bilokonsky. Items that fly in the wind could not only catch on something and pull the rider off their bike, but these items can also prove very distracting.
For example, scarves often fly into the rider’s face and impair visibility. Experienced riders nearly always wear tight clothing.
Old or Broken Helmets
Old or broken helmets are unlikely to protect you in the event of an accident. Not only do poor helmets not prevent a head injury, but they could also cause serious injury.
