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How to Properly Ride a Motorcycle as a Passenger

Many motorcycles are designed to be able to carry one passenger in addition to the operator. Motorcycle passengers ride on a pillion, which is a secondary pad, cushion, or seat located behind the driver’s seat.

Whether you’re a motorcyclist wanting to carry a passenger, or you’re considering riding on a motorcycle as a passenger, it’s important to know the dangers motorcycle passengers face, how they can impact a motorcycle’s handling, and ways that passengers can ride as safely as possible.

In this blog, we offer tips to keep motorcycle passengers safe and to ensure their presence on a bike doesn’t put themselves, the operators, and others on the road in danger.

10 Tips to Reduce Your Risks as a Motorcycle Passenger

Being a safe motorcycle passenger requires a level of awareness and cooperation with the driver to reduce the risk of an accident. Here are some tips to safely ride as a motorcycle passenger:

1. Wear Appropriate Safety Gear

  • Wear a Proper Helmet: Always wear a DOT-approved helmet that fits properly.
  • Wear Protective Clothing or Riding Gear: Wear durable, long-sleeved clothing (like leather or textile jackets and pants), gloves, and closed-toe shoes that cover the ankles.
  • Use Durable Eye Protection: Sunglasses or goggles should be worn if the helmet doesn’t have a face shield.

2. Mount and Dismount Carefully

  • Wait for the Driver’s Signal: Always wait for the driver to tell you that it’s safe to get on or off the motorcycle. Mounting or dismounting when the bike is unstable could cause it to tip over.
  • Use the Foot Pegs: To properly mount a motorcycle, step onto its foot pegs and swing your leg over the seat while keeping your weight balanced.

3. Sit Still and Balance

  • Keep Your Body Aligned with the Driver: Sit close to the driver without pushing forward against them or leaning back away from them. This helps maintain stability, especially while turning.
  • Don’t Shift Your Weight: Avoid unnecessary movements while the motorcycle is in motion, as sudden shifts can affect the bike’s balance and handling.

4. Hold on Securely

  • Grip the Driver or Handrails: Hold on to the driver’s waist or use the designated handholds if available. Make sure your grip is secure but not overly tight so that the driver can move freely.

5. Lean with the Bike in Turns

  • Stay Aligned with the Driver: When driver leans into a turn, you should lean with the bike and follow the driver’s movements. Don’t fight the lean or attempt to remain perfectly upright, as this can destabilize the bike.

6. Communicate Clearly

  • Pre-Ride Discussion: Have a pre-ride discussion with the driver about signals for stopping or adjusting speed. These can include hand signals and taps on the shoulder. This is important as, between the engine and wind noise, it will likely be too loud to hear each other speak while the motorcycle is in motion.

7. Keep Your Feet on the Pegs

  • Stay Planted: Always keep your feet on the passenger foot pegs, even when the bike is stopped. Taking your feet off unexpectedly can throw the motorcycle off balance.

8. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

  • Watch for Hazards: Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Always be prepared for potential changes in bike traction and movement, including wet pavement and sudden stops.
  • Don’t Distract the Driver: Avoid unnecessary conversations or distractions that could take the driver’s focus off the road. As a passenger, your job is to help the driver keep the bike balanced and upright.

9. Anticipate Braking and Acceleration

  • Brace for Sudden Stops or Starts: When the bike accelerates or decelerates, brace yourself by leaning slightly forward during acceleration and back during braking. This helps prevent jerking movements that could cause instability.

10. Avoid Sudden Movements

  • Stay Calm: Keep your movements smooth and coordinated with the driver’s actions. This requires practice and the ability to anticipate their movements, so practice ahead of time in a parking lot or other area away from traffic before merging onto a busy road or highway.

Tips for Safely Riding in a Motorcycle Sidecar

Although rarer than riding pillion, some motorcyclists carry their passengers in a sidecar. Riding in a sidecar offers a unique experience compared to riding directly on a motorcycle. While it can be fun and relatively stable, it also requires some awareness to reduce the risk of an accident.

Here are some tips for safely riding in a sidecar:

  • Brace for Acceleration: Sidecars can make the motorcycle’s handling feel different, especially during starts and stops. Brace yourself by holding onto handrails or gripping a secure point in the sidecar when accelerating or decelerating.
  • Prepare for Deceleration: Sudden stops can cause discomfort, so prepare yourself by leaning back and keeping your balance during braking.
  • Anticipate Right Turns: Right-hand turns can feel more abrupt and cause the sidecar to lift slightly. To counterbalance this effect, it’s important to remain calm and lean slightly toward the motorcycle during sharp right turns.
  • Lean During Left Turns: In left turns, the weight of the sidecar generally stabilizes the motorcycle, but it’s still a good practice to stay centered and lean into the turn with the motorcycle to help with balance.
  • Watch for Bumps and Potholes: Sidecars are lower to the ground. That means passengers can feel the bumps and irregularities of the road more than drivers. Hold on and brace yourself when riding over rough terrain.
  • Stay Alert: Look ahead and anticipate sudden changes in road conditions, such as upcoming potholes, wet leaves, or slick spots, so you can adjust your balance and posture accordingly.

Our Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help After a Crash

Motorcycles are much more dangerous for their riders and passengers than enclosed passenger vehicles. When motorcyclists carry a passenger, they must be even more safety-conscious. However, whether they’re riding solo or with someone riding pillion, riders still face the same risks on the road—and there’s none greater than inattentive, distracted, and negligent drivers.

If you’re injured while driving a motorcycle or riding on one as a passenger, the Oklahoma City motorcycle accident attorneys at Parrish DeVaughn Injury lawyer have the experience and knowledge you need to get maximum compensation. We know how motorcyclists and their passengers are unfairly treated by insurance companies, and we’ll work hard to protect your rights.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

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