You normally wouldn’t think of winter as prime motorcycle riding season, but for some motorcycle drivers—and especially where we live in Upstate New York—winter is just another season to ride and enjoy your motorcycle.
There’s plenty to enjoy about riding during the winter like crisp air and winter scenery, but there’s also non-ideal road conditions you must watch out for. Below, we’ve compiled some winter tips for smooth riding, including common winter road hazards, tips for winter riding, and what to do if you happen to have a motorcycle accident.
Winter Road Hazards that Lead to Motorcycle Accidents
If you’re stepping out on the road this winter, be sure to be on the lookout for these winter road hazards that are especially dangerous for motorcycle riders.
Pot Holes
When ice and snow melt and seep into cracks in the asphalt and freeze again, craters are formed in road that can widen dramatically as the winter season goes on. Pot holes can a lot steering issues for motorcyclists as they bob and weave around these craters to avoid sinking in.
Frost Heaves
Formed in a similar manner to pot holes, frost heaves are the upward swelling of the road that happens when ice structures in the ground force portions of the road up and or create long cracks. Crossing these bumps and cracks are especially precarious on motorcycles!
Black Ice
Super slick, but thin enough to make it hard to see, black ice is an unpredictable hazard that’s hard to watch out for and can cause motorcyclists to skid and slip.
Salt and Sand
Salt and sand do wonders to help melt snow and provide traction on roadways during snowy conditions, however after snowstorms are gone, the accumulation of patches of salt and sand on roads can cause problems for motorcycle riders by making the road slippery to travel.
Tips for Winter Motorcycle Riding
It is possible to safely enjoy your motorcycle riding in the winter months, if you keep some of these winter riding tips in mind:
1. Increase Your Visibility
Actively scan road surfaces as you are riding to look out for potential hazards down the road. Look further down the road than you normally would so you can be alert.
2. Slow Down
Even if there’s no snow on the road, there’s still potential for bad road conditions. Decreasing your speed gives you just that much more time to avoid catastrophes.
3. Create A Safe Path Around Obstacles
Instead of focusing on the pothole or patch of salt, focus on creating a direct and safe route around that obstacle to avoid it.
4. Beware Other Drivers
Increasing your following distance can help give your more time if you need to react to another driver. Not everyone on the road is as accustomed to driving in snow as you.
5. Don’t Ride When It Snows
The golden rule of winter motorcycle riding is if it’s snowing, turn around. Snow can build up on the roads fast, and you don’t want to get stuck halfway to your destination with your tires trudging through snow.
Injured in a Winter Motorcycle Accident? Contact Our Albany Motorcycle Accident Lawyers!
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, please call the motorcycle accident attorneys at Maynard, O’Connor, Smith & Catalinotto for a free consultation, and to ensure that your interests are promptly and properly protected.
You can reach us via phone at (800) 721-3553, or contact us online to set up a free case review with a member of our legal team.
Interested in learning more about motorcycle accidents and what to do if you’ve been involved in one? Here are some resources to get you started:
Are Motorcycle Helmets Required in NY? – Learn about New York State’s motorcycle helmet laws and get the details on what the consequences are if you violate NY’s motorcycle helmet regulations.
Car Accidents Involving Motorcyclists – Learn about how your rights as a motorcyclist differ from the rights of car drivers if you’re involved in a car-motorcycle accident while out on the roads.
Important Things to Know About Car Accidents Involving Motorcyclists – Learn about what constitutes a serious injury in New York and get the details about what options you have for pursuing compensation if you’re a motorcyclist injured in an accident with another vehicle.
