Want to learn how to ride like a pro? BikeSafe NC offers free Rider Skills Days across the state. The training including skill assessment, classroom-based information and on-road ride outs.

 

North Carolina law requires all operators and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds to wear a DOT certified helmet. In 2011, an estimated 190 – 226 traumatic brain injury hospitalizations were prevented because of North Carolina’s universal helmet law (Naumann, Marshall, Proescholdbell, Austin, and Crebbage, 2015).

Protect yourself with the right gear

Helmet

• Your DOT-certified helmet should grip your cheeks, your jaw, and the top and sides of your head.
• Don’t buy a used helmet. There’s no way of knowing if a helmet was involved in a crash, which can compromise its quality and overall safety

Eye Protection

• Wear well-ventilated goggles, glasses with safety lenses, or a helmet equipped with a face shield to protect you from insects, dirt, and wind.

Gloves

• Non-slip durable gloves help to grip your controls and keep air out of your sleeves. Firmly padded gloves can help protect your hands if you are involved in a crash.

Clothing

• Wear a padded or reinforced jacket to provide some protection from abrasion in the event of a spill or crash. Always wear fitted long sleeves and long pants to keep from getting anything snagged on your motorcycle. Wear something brightly colored and/or reflective on your upper body.

Shoes

• Tennis shoes, sandals, or cowboy boots don’t cut it. Choose a motorcycle boot with a stiff rubber sole, ankle coverage, and tough material to protect your from flying debris or injury during a crash. Avoid dangling laces.