Spring temperatures and the first warmer sunrays are a welcome invitation for motorcyclists to take to the roads. The most impatient ones have already taken their steel ponies out of the garages, and the rest will also soon follow suit. However, the road conditions are far from optimal. Do not skip the preparations if you want to make your motorbike ride safe. Here are a number of useful tips for riders of single-track motor vehicles.

The asphalt is still cold, there are many potholes and grit has been spread on the roads during winter

At the beginning of the motorcycling season, the asphalt surface is still cold and does not allow for optimal tire grip, there can be many potholes and grit has been spread on the roads in winter. In addition, motorcyclists should be aware that their vehicle handling skills are most likely still not at the previous year's level. So prepare properly for the first ride.

Do not skip the preparations, start slowly

• Before riding, check the air pressure in the tires and warm them up properly during the first few kilometres.
• Always use a protective motorcycle helmet when riding. Strap it on correctly. A clear visor gives you the visibility you need.
• Don't forget garments with protectors.
• The motorcycle is narrow, so you can be quickly overlooked by other road users at higher speeds. Keep your speed appropriate to the circumstances so that others can notice you in time, and so you can notice them as well.
• Also, make sure you are as visible as possible. Always use dipped headlights in daylight. Wear protective clothing with as many reflectors as possible (stickers, tapes) and a light-coloured helmet. Also wear a reflective vest.
• When riding around a left-hand bend, move away from the dividing line in the middle of the carriageway, otherwise your head will be hurtling a meter deep into the oncoming carriageway.
• Especially adjust the speed and riding style of your motorcycle during the first minutes of rain.
• If your motorcycle does not have an ABS braking system, do not brake on road markings in the rain or on a slippery road surface.
• Avoid asphalt surfaces with grit, spilled oil or the like (particularly in bends).
• Reaction time in ideal conditions is 0.6–0.8 seconds, in road traffic on average 1 second, and with an unprepared or tired rider as many as 2 seconds or more.
• The braking distance to stop at a speed of 100 km/h is 40 metres. The stopping distance is the sum of the reaction and braking distances.
• Do not ride if you have consumed alcohol, drugs, psychoactive drugs or are tired; otherwise, this could quickly become your last ride.

All riders of single-track motor vehicles are advised to be extremely careful, and to adapt their speed to the road conditions. A lower speed offers more chances to avoid dangerous situations in time.

Car drivers, watch out for motorcyclists

Drivers of other motor vehicles, who are not yet used to seeing motorcyclists after the long winter, are urged to drive carefully. Motorcyclists are often less visible due to their narrow silhouette. When moving the vehicle, they should therefore make sure that the road is clear, and particularly, they should be respectful of all road users who fall into the categories of weaker and more vulnerable.

Last year 703 road accidents involved motorcycles

In 2023, there were 8 (11) fatal road accidents involving motorcyclists. There were 144 (149) seriously injured and 381 (385) lightly injured motorcyclists. A total of 182 (186) motorcyclists were involved in road accidents without bodily injuries. There was one motorcycle passenger fatality, the same as in 2022.*

* The data in parentheses relate to 2022.