If you ride in Wisconsin, you know that there are plenty of rural roads in the country that are fun and challenging to ride on. What if your route takes you through a large city like Milwaukee or Madison, Wisconsin? Freeways around these larger cities require a different type of riding and can be intimidating for riders of any skill level.
Here are some tips to safely ride on the freeways of Wisconsin.
Note other people’s blind spots. You never want to ride in another vehicle’s blind spot because if they can’t see you, you’re in danger of being hit. If you find yourself in a blind sport, start thinking of ways you can quickly and safely get out of it and into a safe zone. Larger vehicles, like semi-trucks, will have an even harder time seeing you than a regular car or truck. Be aware at all times.
Ride slowly and stop frequently. If you’re from Milwaukee or Madison, you know that during rush hour, traffic can come to a standstill on the freeway. Always be ready to stop and try to keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Keep an eye on the vehicle behind you as well and be ready to move out of the way if you think you’re going to be rear-ended.
Always have an escape plan while you’re in traffic. To safely ride on a freeway, you should always know where your escape routes are, should you need to quickly react and get out of the way of other vehicles or obstacles. Riding on the driver’s side or passenger’s side-wheel track will help you maneuver quickly if somebody hits their brakes unexpectedly. One advantage of being on a motorcycle is that it is highly maneuverable and that can help you avoid an accident.
Riding on the freeways around cities, you’ll see it all. Things in the road blocking traffic that you’d never expect to see or debris falling from other vehicles are just some of the hazards you may have to deal with. You always need to be on the lookout for obstacles in the road. Something that might not be dangerous to a vehicle like a car can be extremely dangerous to someone on a motorcycle. Riding in the side of your lane and not in the center can help you avoid obstacles in the road.
Finally, you should always keep your following distance from other vehicles in front of you long enough to give you time and space to react. If you’re tailgating another vehicle while on your bike, a sudden slam on the brakes can cause a collision and send you flying in the air. Sometimes, aggressive drivers are on the freeway. If you’re being tailgated by someone else, try to move out of the way and let them pass. If you notice another driver developing road rage, get as far away from them as possible.
These tips will help you safely navigate the freeways of Wisconsin. Always give your full attention to the road and do everything you can to stay seen by other vehicles.
At Hupy and Abraham, we do all we can to help motorcycle riders. With our headquarters in Milwaukee, WI, and many attorneys who ride, we know what it’s like to navigate the freeways in Wisconsin on a bike. Our firm has promoted rider awareness and safety for decades. Hupy and Abraham’s “Watch for Motorcycles” message is spread through billboards, TV ads, stickers and more to help keep riders at top of mind and help save their lives.
Sometimes even if you do everything right, an accident can still happen. If you’re injured in an accident on the freeways near Milwaukee, Madison or anywhere else, call us today at 800-800-5678 so we can start fighting for you. Hupy and Abraham has helped over 70,000 clients receive over $1 billion for their injuries.
