CRASH HELMETS

  • All riders and passengers must wear a helmet while riding
  • Wearing a helmet correctly can reduce the risk of death by almost 40% and the risk of severe injury by 70%. Even if the law in your country does not require you to wear a helmet, wear one to save your life
  • A full face helmet is the recommended choice, primarily because it covers more of your face and offers the most protection. Full face helmets are typically equipped with a face shield that helps provide protection from dust, dirt, rain and debris
  • It is important to use a helmet that fits to your head securely, but not too tight that your head will start to ache

Follow these tips to ensure a good helmet fit:

  • The helmet should fit snugly and squarely on your head
  • The cheek pads should touch your cheeks without pressing uncomfortably
  • There should not be any gaps between your temples and the brow pads
  • With the chin strap fastened and your head straight, try rolling the helmet forward off your head. You shouldn’t be able to pull it off. If you can, the helmet is too big
  • The helmet should not move around on the head, or place pressure on the forehead. Keep it on for 5 or 10 minutes before you buy, to be sure it is comfortable
  • If your helmet receives a hard impact, replace it. The impact can weaken the structure considerably and not provide sufficient protection
  • The chin strap/retention system is extremely important. It is the main piece that keeps the helmet securely on your head in the event of a collision. Each time you put on your helmet make sure the strap is fastened securely.

EYE PROTECTION

  • If your helmet is not equipped with a face shield, wear a pair of goggles to help protect your eyes from rain, dirt and other debris. Goggles should cover your eyes entirely and should always be shatter proof
  • If you are required to wear eyeglasses make sure there is enough space between your eyewear and face shield

Ensure that you have your eyes tested in accordance with local regulations or as a minimum, every two years – sooner if you feel your vision has deteriorated.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

  • Always wear protective clothing when riding a two wheeler as this is your only protection from the road surface in the event of a collision
  • Long sleeve shirts or jackets and long pants will provide better protection from abrasions as they cover your elbows, knees, back, shins and shoulders. A heavier material such as leather is generally thought to offer the highest protection, but can be uncomfortable in hot weather
  • Make sure the pants/trousers you wear are not baggy or flared at the bottom, as this may interfere with the operation of the controls on your vehicle
  • It is safest to wear bright clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night to increase your visibility to other road users. Some clothing will be both bright and reflective so that it offers the highest levels of visibility during both day and night
  • The same way other clothes protect your body from surface abrasions, gloves offer significant protection to your hands. Gloves should be worn to maintain a firm grip on the handlebar and controls. In the event of a fall, gloves provide protection for your hands. Make sure the gloves you wear fit comfortably and give a good feel of controls
  • Footwear is another important aspect of protection. Riding boots are the best form of footwear, mainly because they offer the most protection to your feet and ankles in the event of a fall or collision. Do not wear sandals or slippers/flip flops as these do not provide protection for your feet at all. Avoid shoes with laces, as they may interfere with your vehicle’s operations and controls. High heels and platform shoes should also not be worn while riding as these types of shoes do not give you a good feel of the pedals and will not allow you to maintain control of your vehicle properly