Motorcycle safety was the topic of the company's Global Safety Day 2014 presentation. Some key facts presented include that motorcycles are more vulnerable in crashes than cars due to their smaller size and lack of protection. Motorcycle crashes are more likely to result in injury or death compared to car crashes. Alcohol consumption and excess speed are factors in over 40% of motorcycle crashes. Taking a certified safety course, wearing a helmet, riding sober and at safe speeds can help reduce risks. The presentation provided tips for safe riding practices and pre-ride inspections.

1. Motorcycle Safety
Company Global Safety Day 2014
11-Jun-2014
Presented by:
Eric Roberson, IT Infrastructure Operations

2. Audience Poll
2
By a show of hands. . .
• Who already has a bike?
• Who is interested in getting a bike?

3. Fact #1
• Motorcycle fatalities represent about 11% of all
highway fatalities each year, yet comprise only
three percent of all registered vehicles in the U.S.
A Few Facts
Fact #2
• Motorcycles lack protection in size, bulk, doors,
seatbelts, and windshields, but make up for it in
agility, maneuverability, ability to stop quick &
swerve.
Fact #3
• About 80% of motorcycle crashes result in injury
or death compared to only 20% for automobiles.
Fact #4
• Approximately 50% of motorcycle-vehicle
collisions occur at intersections where vision is
limited by shrubbery, other vehicles, or buildings.
3Company Global Safety Day 2014

4. Fact #5
• Motorcyclists are 30% more likely to die in a
crash than passengers in a car according to the
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
A Few Facts
Fact #6
• IIHS data shows that motorcycles equipped with
ABS breaks were 37% less likely to be involved in
a fatal crash. If possible, chose a bike with ABS.
Fact #7
• In 2010, Alcohol consumption is a factor in 42%
of motorcycle crashes and 48% of motorcycle
fatalities involved excess speed.
Fact #8
• Riders without a helmet are 40% more likely to
suffer a fatal head injury and are three times
more likely to suffer brain injuries in a crash.
4Company Global Safety Day 2014

5. 5

6. Where do crashes happen?
Look twice: share the road
Videos

8. A recent study by the University
of South Florida’s Center for
Urban Transportation Research
found that in collisions involving
a motorcycle and a car, car
drivers were at fault 60% of the
time.
“There is nothing we could say or
advise more than to go find a
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
(MSF) riding course in your area.
That’s critical, absolutely critical.”
- Jon Seidel, Honda Corporation

9. company.com
Causes of
Crashes
• Take an approved safety course
• Get your motorcycle endorsement
• Practice in parking lots and on quiet
neighborhood streets
• Ride to be seen, usually the left one
third of your lane
• Do the speed limit
• Find a mentor or coach to help you
learn to ride
• Every bike is different, get to know it’s
limits and characteristics before riding
long distances
Company Global Safety Day 2014
• Lack of basic riding
skills
• Failure to follow speed
limits
• Failure to appreciate
the inherent operating
characteristics
• Failure to use
defensive driving
techniques
• Lack of specific
breaking and cornering
skills
What you can do

10. Top Texas Cities for Motorcycle Crashes

11. How Safe is a Motorcycle?
11
On one hand, a motorcycle suffers in
crashworthiness characteristics compared to
automobiles.
While on the other, motorcycles are more
agile, maneuverable, able to stop quickly, and
able to swerve quickly when necessary.
Therefore, a motorcycle is only as safe as
the skill level of its operator.

17. Identifying Safe Helmets
17
Check for the following:
• Thick Inner Liner
• Sturdy Chin Strap & Rivets
• Weight of the helmet (~ 3 lbs)
• Design Style of Helmet
• Labels
• DOT Sticker
• Snell or ANSI Label
• Manufacturer's Labeling (inside showing
name, model, size, month/year of
manufacture)
Replace helmets that have been damaged from
being dropped or if more than 5 years old.

18. Rules for the Road
18
• Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and
protective gear.
• Don’t drink and ride: booze and bikes don’t mix.
• Ride to be seen. Watch for inattentive drivers.
• Be alert to changing road conditions.
• Be aware of rider fatigue.
• Perform regular pre-ride inspections: tires,
breaks, chain, signals, and headlamp.

20. Rules for the Road
20
Always be alert to changing road conditions.
Examples include:
• Dew on the ground early morning
• Gravel on road where hard pavement
intersects a gravel driveway
• Manhole covers or temporary iron grates
• Debris in the roadway, like tire treads or rebar
• Wind shear or gusts (eg. 610 North Loop /
Hwy 225 / coast line / between skyscrapers)
• Temperature fluctuation between day/night
• Pedestrians on urban streets

21. Rules of the Road
21
• For every 35 mph in speed, there is a 17˚F wind
chill factor when riding a motorcycle.
• For curves, start on the outside, move toward the
inside, then finish on the outside to maximize
sight distance.
• Ride to be seen. The left 1/3 of the lane is
usually the best place.
• Avoid rain and inclement weather; if you must
ride in the rain, visibility is reduced and the most
dangerous time is right after rain begins because
oil residue rises to the road surface.
• At night, prep for bumps or potholes by watching
shifts in the bumper of the car in front of you.

22. Ride to be Seen
The third left of any lane is usually the most visible.

23. Carrying Passengers
23
Legal Considerations:
• Some states have specific equipment
requirements, such as passenger footrests, a
seat with separate seating for a passenger, and
that passengers be able to reach the footrests.
• Decisions to carry a child assuming all safety
and legal factors are in place is left to parents
and guardians.
• Children should be mature enough to ride, able
to hold onto you or passenger hand holds, and
wear a properly fitted helmet and safety gear.

24. Carrying Passengers
24
Operator Preparation:
• Passengers affect the handling characteristics of a
motorcycle due to extra weight, so starting and
stopping will take more throttle and clutch finesse.
• Greater breaking pressure will be required, but the
rear break will become more useful due to weight.
• Passengers ten to move forward in quick stops and
bump into your helmet.
• Extra caution is called for in a corner, and
cornering clearances will be affected.
• More time and space will be needed for passing.
• The effects of wind, especially side wind, will be
more pronounced.

25. Carrying Passengers
25
Passenger Preparation:
• Passengers must be tall enough to reach the
footrests and responsible enough to hold on.
• Passengers should wear proper protective gear and
a helmet.
• Provide a safety briefing to new passengers,
regardless of whether they have ridden before.
• Allow passengers to adjust to the sense of speed
and sensation of leaning; avoid dramatic lean angles.
• Keep speeds conservatively safe and reasonable
until a passenger acclimates to proper riding
techniques.
• Allow more time for passing and stopping.

26. Carrying Passengers
26
Passenger Safety Briefing:
1. Hold the operator’s waist, hips, or hand-holds
even when stopped.
2. Keep feet on footrests (pegs) at all times, even
when stopped.
3. Look over the operator’s shoulder in the direction
of the turn when in a turn, and minimize leaning.
4. Avoid turning around or making sudden moves.
5. Do not get on or off the bike until asked to do so.
6. Tuck shoe laces in if the bike is chain-driven and
the passenger is wearing laced up shoes

27. Check Your Cycle Savvy
27
Question Answer
Driving a car is much more tiring
than riding a motorcycle?
True / False
A helmet that meets federal safety
standards is your best protection for
head injury in the event of a crash.
True / False
Because motorcycles are smaller
than automobiles, they are more
difficult to see and their speed is
more difficult to judge.
True / False

28. Check Your Cycle Savvy
28
Question Answer
Alcohol and excess speed are
factors in >40% of motorcycle
crashes.
True / False
All states require a motorcycle
endorsement or special motorcycle
license to operate a motorcycle on
the highway.
True / False
Head injury is the leading cause of
death in motorcycle crashes.
True / False

29. Check Your Cycle Savvy
29
Question Answer
An oversized helmet that doesn’t
crush your hair is as effective as a
snuggly fitting helmet in preventing
or lessening head injuries.
True / False
Riding a motorcycle in a safe,
responsible manner is an
exhilarating experience.
True / False
Riding a motorcycle is the same as
driving a car.
True / False

30. Pre-ride Inspections
30
1. Check the tire pressure and tread depth.
2. Check front (hand) and back (foot) breaks.
3. Check under the cycle for any fluids that may have
leaked.
4. Check the headlamp, break lamp, and turn signals.
5. Check chain-driven cycles to make sure chain is
not loose.
6. Secure and balance cargo to be carried.
7. Brief your passenger if someone is ridding with
you.

31. Safety Courses
Insurance companies often offer discounts for
completing a motorcycle safety course (MSC).
The Texas Dept. of Motor Vehicles waives the
requirement for the riding portion of a motorcycle
endorsement for applicants who completed
MSCs.
For information, please visit the TXDPS website
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb/thecourse.htm
or MSF website at http://msf-usa.org.

32. Thank you
for attending!
32

33. Works Cited
33
“Cruisin’ Without Brusin’. “ U.S. DOT. And NHTSA. Sep 2004. Print.
“How to Identify Unsafe Motorcycle Helmets.” U.S. DOT and NHTSA. Sep
2004. Print.
“It’s a fact: Alcohol Affects Your Riding Skills.” U.S. DOT and NHTSA. Aug
2010. Print.
“Motorcycle Safety.” U.S. DOT and NHTSA. Dec. 2007. Print.
“Quick Tips: Guidelines for Riding With a Passenger.” Motorcycle Safety
Foundation. Jul 2012. Web.
<http://msf-usa.org/downloads/Passenger_Tip_Sheet.pdf>
“Share the Road.” Texas Department of Transportation. May 2014. Web.
<http://www.txdot.gov/driver/share-road/share-road.html>