For many teens, a motorcycle feels like the ultimate form of transportation. It costs much less than a car. Teens really only need to ride around with one person anyway. Plus, there’s the “cool” factor, where a bike will make them stand out to their friend group if everyone else has older cars. It’s also a logical progression from riding a bicycle, so they may already be comfortable with two-wheeled transportation options.
That said, parents of teens who get into riding must make safety a priority. They may want to tell the teen riders to:
- Obey the speed limit at all times, as speeding is the main reason for accidents caused by teen riders.
- Watch carefully for any drivers that turn left in front of the bike; this is one of the top reasons for accidents caused by other drivers.
- Keep an eye on the weather and only ride when it is good enough to ride safely.
- Be extra careful to communicate with other drivers on the roads. For instance, rather than just braking at a stop sign, a rider may want to flash the rear lights to let the car behind them know what is coming.
- Always stay alert and focused. Do not ride when feeling tired or fatigued, never ride after drinking — and do not engage in distractions while riding.
Parents who take safety seriously and have these conversations with their children can help to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, though, nothing guarantees that a teen rider will not get hit by another driver. If that happens, the rider and his or her family may have a right to compensation that will help with medical bills, lost wages and other expenses.
