Rider Fatigue: 5 Tips to Combat It

Fatigue accounts for as many as 20 percent of vehicular accidents. Although bikers are more active during a ride and less inclined to fall asleep, rider fatigue can and does occur. As motorcycle injury lawyers, we have seen the disastrous results of biker fatigue.

Here are 5 tips to combat fatigue:

• Plan ahead and rest accordingly. If you know you’ll be spending hours on your bike, get good rest the night before. Leave at a reasonable hour- allow yourself time for breakfast and a cup of coffee before you hit the road.
• Schedule stops along the way. Plan ahead for breaks and allow yourself to use the restroom, have a drink, eat a snack, and enjoy the day.
• Set reasonable expectations. If you have to travel a long distance, consider whether you should split it up over a couple days. Check along the way for a convenient stopping area. Plan ahead so that you aren’t stuck looking for a motel at night.
• At the first sign of fatigue, get off the bike and stretch your legs. Find a safe place to stop and walk around a bit. Take off your helmet, drink a bottle of water, or take a bathroom break.
• Stay hydrated and nourished. Feed your body regularly and be sure to drink plenty of water. Remember that we often perspire quite a bit more while on our bikes and exposed to ever-changing temperatures. Dehydration will fatigue both your body and your mind. Also, you burn more calories on a motorcycle than you do while driving a car, so plan a couple of snacks along the way.
• Stay with your group! Take turns leading the group, and pay attention to those around you. If you begin feeling very fatigued, signal the need for a stop. Remember that it’s better to stop the group for a few minutes than to crash!

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Our motorcycle injury lawyers are all bikers ourselves, and these are the tips we use to stay alert. We hope these tips will stay fresh in your mind and help you deal with fatigue. As always, count on Kass & Moses if you ever need a motorcycle crash attorney!