Pocket Bikes Article
Pocket Bikes Safety Tips
They are small, compact and a great deal of fun to ride but, they can be very dangerous. Make sure you are aware and are obeying the laws before you start your ride!
It is recommended that you wear a helmet and other safety gear such as pads and eye goggles. The weather may cause some road hazards also, make sure you are dressed appropriately and are prepared. You and your bike should have reflective gear such as patches and emblems that are visible to drivers, particularly at night.
Make sure you have had plenty of practice riding your bike before you get out onto the road. Make sure, you feel comfortable on it and are prepared to take sharp turns and avoid road hazards.
Take a good hard look at your bike before you get on it. Check the air pressure in the tires chain tension, check the fuel, tighten any loose screws. Listen to the bike, as you start it up and take note of any strange noises. If you sounds rough or appears defective in any way, don’t ride it!
Make sure you are doing monthly maintenance checks and are keeping your bike well maintained. If you are unable to do maintenance on the bike, check with a service technician to assure that the care of the bike is kept up.
Check out the weather conditions before you ride your bike. If at all possible, do not ride in fog, rain, when it is dark, hailing or snowing. If you do have to ride in these adverse conditions, make you are dressed appropriately with a windbreaker, goggles, leather gloves and boots.
Generally speaking children 13 and younger should not ride pocket bikes but they do! If they are, an adult should be close by to assist with supervision and if there are any accidents.
Your insurance company may or may not provide coverage depending on where you live and the insurance company. Contact them to find out if you can obtain coverage and what to do if you do have an accident and cause injury to yourself, others or property.
Similar to motorcycles, it is not recommended that you wear flip flops, no shirt and shorts when you ride a pocket bike. If you fall or end up sliding down asphalt, clothing and shoes would protect you against serious scrapes and abrasions.
They are small and sporty and can obtain speeds up to 50 mph which means they can cause damage to the person riding it, other drivers and property. Most of them do not have lights, horns or brake lights. They can be difficult to be seen by others.
Similar to bicycle and motorcycle riders, every precaution must be taken to assure that you are riding safely. Take every precaution necessary before you get on the road.
