More women are sitting pretty on bikes – and not on the back!  Women in growing numbers are driving motorcycles.  According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, there are nearly 4.5 million women motorcycle riders on the road today, and one in every 10 motorcycle owners is a woman.  In fact, over the past five years, female licensed motorcycle riders have increased by 28 percent, while male riders have increase only by 7 percent.  
July is National Women’s Motorcycle Month, a time when women riders are celebrated. In honor of Women’s Motorcycle Month, Allstate and the NHTSA recommend the following safety tips for motorcycle riders:
• Protect yourself – Choose gear that will increase your visibility in addition to providing protection in the event of a crash. Always wear a helmet that fits right. Pick one that has the DOT label, which shows that it meets federal safety standards.
• Keep control – Know your bike’s limits. Stick to the speed limit. Use your signals. Brake smart by using both brakes at the same time, slow and steady.
• Know the road – Watch for hazardous road conditions such as potholes, wet leaves, railroad tracks and other road obstructions.
• Make sure other drivers can see you – Never share a lane with a car. Don’t ride in blind spots, tailgate and always use your headlights.
• Be respectful of other drivers – Don’t weave through traffic or drive on the shoulder.
In addition, Allstate and the NHTSA have the following recommendations for motorists:
For car drivers:
• Motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see – Remember that bikers are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. Always check your mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
• Allow the biker a full lane width – Although it may seem as though there is enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile and a motorcycle, remember the motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely. Do not share the lane.
• Allow more following distance – Leaving more space can give bikers time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions bikers can stop more quickly than cars.
• Always use your signals – This allows the biker to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position. Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle, motorcycle signals usually are not self-cancelling and bikers sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.
• Be aware of road conditions – Minor annoyances to you may pose major hazards to bikers. Bikers may change speed or adjust their position suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.
For more information about motorcycle safety visit www.allstategarage.com or contact Allison Hatcher at (615) 874-7629 or by email at Allison.Hatcher@allstate.com   

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