If you have just splurged on your first motorcycle, chances are you are ready to get out on the road and be part of a new and adventurous lifestyle, enjoying far more than making a boring commute. This mode of travel includes a full-body workout nearly every time you ride. There’s the whole spiritual, meditative, Zen angle as well—along with appreciating a fellowship amongst so many other likeminded souls.

All that enjoyment can end abruptly without the proper training though. If you are a novice, the first step is to choose a bike that you can handle. That means researching a variety of bikes that work well for beginners, taking into consideration what you will be using it for and how often, along with how much power is needed and what you can handle at first, weight and engine size of the bike, and of course—your budget. Once you have made your purchase, it is time to get to know your bike, and know it well.

In Florida, requirements for getting licensed to ride a motorcycle involve education beforehand:

“New motorcyclists must take and pass the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or Basic RiderCourse updated (BRCu) through a FRTP authorized Sponsor before they can have the motorcycle endorsement added to their license, per section 322.12(5)(a), Florida Statutes.”

Along with that information, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) points out that Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses offered by their division offer knowledge valuable to novices regarding operating a motorcycle and making good judgments while on the road. They also help strengthen driving abilities and techniques with a focus on ‘crash avoidance skills.’

“Learning these skills are important as Florida and other crash studies show that rider course graduates have far less injury and fatality rates as untrained riders, clearly depicting the need for rider education,” states the DHSMV.

As fatalities rates for motorcyclists in the state reach an all-time high—and place the state at the top for such crashes—practicing safety and giving 100 percent of attention to the roads while operating any vehicle is critical. Distracted motorists are the leading cause of traffic accidents, meaning that everyone else, including motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, must pick up the slack and do double duty in making eye contact with motorists when turning at intersections, avoiding blind spots, and practicing defensive driving and traveling in every way.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact the attorneys at Heintz Law. We’ve helped victims from Bradenton, Sarasota, and all over Florida get compensation for their damages and medical expenses after accidents. Call us for a free consultation now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help!

All blogs are written on behalf of Heintz Law for informational purposes. These articles should not, however, be considered legal advice, or in any way responsible for creating an attorney/client relationship.