Visualize, if you will, the image of your favorite professional motorcyclist rolling along, doing what they do best. Regardless of whether they are racing on dirt or track, displaying skills or stunting – I can bet that the image in your mind will consist of full riding gear and personal protection based on their risk.
Now, imagine the area they are riding, specifically focus on the traffic. Is it similar to what is on the road? Is it controlled, non-existent, or going the same direction with them? When you ride, how much do you know about the skill level of the drivers/riders around you and how controlled is the traffic that you venture into? Don’t forget to consider the “texters” out there.
The bottom line is as a rider, you are likely dealing with more factors and a higher risk than those who you admire with so much skill. That’s not to say that what they display isn’t high risk, but their personal mastery in controlled environments makes for a different riding danger than what you are exposed to. Professional riders wear all the gear, all the time, protecting them from their heightened risk or at least equipment that will lessen the severity of the injury. The next question then is – do you?
As the riding season is in hiatus for some and I look over last year’s photos, I have noticed that many riders choose to ride unprotected from the hazards we are faced with. The great unknown of the open road is the hazards in our presence tend to exacerbate in a much more open riding environment. The simple truth is that riding without protection can be a dangerous choice for a motorcyclist’s extremities and brain housing group.
The decision to ride sans gloves, without a helmet or in questionable footwear is a personal one, and I advocate for choice; however, please consider the consequence of those practices and reflect on how it may be highlighted after the fall – for you and your loved ones. No one leaves home desiring to be in a crash.
Riders have choices to make about surviving the ride, what decisions are you making?
