To Ride or Not To Ride Motorcycles -- Making an Educated Choice
http://www.iinc.org/articles/326/1/To-Ride-or-Not-To-Ride-Motorcycles----Making-an-Educated-Choice/Page1.html
Published on 09/18/2009
Motorcycles can conjure up classic images of the California lifestyle, from cruising the Pacific Coast Highway to touring Route 66.
For many riders, however, motorcycles are more than just image – they’ve become an affordable alternative to conventional four-wheelers.
In general, motorcycles are less expensive to buy, run, maintain and insure than cars.
Motorcycles can conjure up classic images of the California lifestyle, from cruising the Pacific Coast Highway to touring Route 66.
For many riders, however, motorcycles are more than just image – they’ve become an affordable alternative to conventional four-wheelers.
In general, motorcycles are less expensive to buy, run, maintain and insure than cars. But riding a motorcycle is a serious decision. Motorcycles take more skill and coordination to operate than a car, are more difficult for other drivers to see and don’t offer the protection that a metal cage and airbags do.
Even in California, which has more two-wheelers on the road than any other state, cars outnumber motorcycles, 44-to-one.
There are several issues to think about before making the switch from car to motorbike.
Safety Risks
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, you are more than 35 times more likely to be killed in a motorcycle accident than a car crash.
In 2007 alone, 5,037 motorcyclists were killed in street and highway accidents – the most since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began keeping records in 1975. And while motorcycles represented less than 3 percent of vehicles on the road, they accounted for 12 percent of all vehicle deaths, according to NHTSA.
Licensing
To ride a motorcycle or moped in California you must have a special license. There are two classes of motorcycle license: Class M1, for any two-wheel motorcycle or moped and M2 for motorized bicycles, scooters or mopeds.
To apply for your motorcycle Class M1 or M2 license, you must do one of the following:
If you are under 21, you must complete a rider training course given by the California Highway Patrol and provide a certificate of Completion of Motorcycle Training (DL 389) to DMV to be issued your license. You will not be required to take the motorcycle driving test at the DMV if you currently have a California Driver’s License.
If you are over 21, you may either choose to complete the course by CHP and provide the certificate or schedule a DMV driving test. You have three chances to pass the test.
Safety Equipment
Riding a motorcycle also requires an investment in clothing. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation suggests over-the-ankle footwear, long pants, a long-sleeved jacket, full-fingered motorcycle gloves, and a helmet manufactured to meet U.S. Department of Transportation standards.
California requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets that meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218. These helmets have a sticker on the outside back with the letters DOT certifying that the helmet meets minimum standards.
Purchase your helmet at a store that supports rider safety, ensure that it bears the DOT sticker and check the entire list of tested helmets at the NHTSA Web site.
Some riders feel that helmet laws are difficult to interpret or impinge on individual rights. But the statistics on helmet usage are clear -- helmets are lifesavers.
Theft
Motorcycles are tempting targets for thieves, and California tops the list for theft hotspots. Not only are they a hot commodity on the luxury export market, but motorcycles are also recovered less often than automobiles. Always take your keys and park in well-lit areas. Make sure to lock your bike every time you leave it, and consider an anti-theft device.
Insurance
California motorcycle drivers are required to show they can pay the state’s minimum liability limits of 15/30/5. That means you must prove you are personally able to pay or have insurance for up to $15,000 per person for bodily injuries you cause to someone else; $30,000 for bodily injuries per accident, no matter how many people are hurt; and $5,000 for damage caused to people’s property.
These limits are not the end of your financial liabilities. They are California’s minimum requirements. If you cause more damage than the limits of your insurance, you may be sued for the difference.
Motorcycle insurance is available from many reputable companies and you should compare coverage and costs before choosing.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
State Motorcycle Safety Administration
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Motorcycles can conjure up classic images of the California lifestyle, from cruising the Pacific Coast Highway to touring Route 66.For many riders, however, motorcycles are more than just image – they’ve become an affordable alternative to conventional four-wheelers.
In general, motorcycles are less expensive to buy, run, maintain and insure than cars.
To Ride or Not to Ride Motorcycles -- Making an Educated Choice
Motorcycles can conjure up classic images of the California lifestyle, from cruising the Pacific Coast Highway to touring Route 66.For many riders, however, motorcycles are more than just image – they’ve become an affordable alternative to conventional four-wheelers.
In general, motorcycles are less expensive to buy, run, maintain and insure than cars. But riding a motorcycle is a serious decision. Motorcycles take more skill and coordination to operate than a car, are more difficult for other drivers to see and don’t offer the protection that a metal cage and airbags do.
Even in California, which has more two-wheelers on the road than any other state, cars outnumber motorcycles, 44-to-one.
There are several issues to think about before making the switch from car to motorbike.
Safety Risks
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, you are more than 35 times more likely to be killed in a motorcycle accident than a car crash.
In 2007 alone, 5,037 motorcyclists were killed in street and highway accidents – the most since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began keeping records in 1975. And while motorcycles represented less than 3 percent of vehicles on the road, they accounted for 12 percent of all vehicle deaths, according to NHTSA.
Licensing
To ride a motorcycle or moped in California you must have a special license. There are two classes of motorcycle license: Class M1, for any two-wheel motorcycle or moped and M2 for motorized bicycles, scooters or mopeds.
To apply for your motorcycle Class M1 or M2 license, you must do one of the following:
If you are under 21, you must complete a rider training course given by the California Highway Patrol and provide a certificate of Completion of Motorcycle Training (DL 389) to DMV to be issued your license. You will not be required to take the motorcycle driving test at the DMV if you currently have a California Driver’s License.
If you are over 21, you may either choose to complete the course by CHP and provide the certificate or schedule a DMV driving test. You have three chances to pass the test.
Safety Equipment
Riding a motorcycle also requires an investment in clothing. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation suggests over-the-ankle footwear, long pants, a long-sleeved jacket, full-fingered motorcycle gloves, and a helmet manufactured to meet U.S. Department of Transportation standards.
California requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets that meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218. These helmets have a sticker on the outside back with the letters DOT certifying that the helmet meets minimum standards.
Purchase your helmet at a store that supports rider safety, ensure that it bears the DOT sticker and check the entire list of tested helmets at the NHTSA Web site.
Some riders feel that helmet laws are difficult to interpret or impinge on individual rights. But the statistics on helmet usage are clear -- helmets are lifesavers.
Theft
Motorcycles are tempting targets for thieves, and California tops the list for theft hotspots. Not only are they a hot commodity on the luxury export market, but motorcycles are also recovered less often than automobiles. Always take your keys and park in well-lit areas. Make sure to lock your bike every time you leave it, and consider an anti-theft device.
Insurance
California motorcycle drivers are required to show they can pay the state’s minimum liability limits of 15/30/5. That means you must prove you are personally able to pay or have insurance for up to $15,000 per person for bodily injuries you cause to someone else; $30,000 for bodily injuries per accident, no matter how many people are hurt; and $5,000 for damage caused to people’s property.
These limits are not the end of your financial liabilities. They are California’s minimum requirements. If you cause more damage than the limits of your insurance, you may be sued for the difference.
Motorcycle insurance is available from many reputable companies and you should compare coverage and costs before choosing.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
State Motorcycle Safety Administration
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety