Moped Insurance Advice on Safety
Anyone considering riding a moped should always consider safety as one of their main priorities. Although riding can be very enjoyable, if the right precautions are not taken then accidents can happen and people can get seriously injured. Please follow these safety precautions so that accidents and injuries can be avoided.
Safety Equipment
Wear an approved safety helmet whenever riding the moped. Any safety helmets purchased in the UK should display the BSI kite mark (BSI 6658-1985) or the UN ECE 2205 mark of approval. Safety helmets save lives. Approximately 40% of those killed in moped accidents were not wearing a safety helmet. Also remember to strap on the helmet as if it is not strapped on securely it can easily work itself loose. This is not only a hazard but is also breaking the law to not have it secured correctly.
Ensure that some form of eye protection is worn, such as a visor attached to the helmet, or plastic goggles. This can prevent dirt, dust, and insects from obscuring the rider’s view and possibly damaging the eyes whilst riding. Wear padding (especially whilst learning). This usually means wearing elbow pads and knee pads. Wear leather or lightly padded gloves. These protect the hands from the cold and also prevent cuts and bruises caused by falls.
If learning if may be advisable to wear a protective jacket and trousers in case of falling off. Make sure that suitable footwear is worn. Although whilst on holiday many people can be seen wearing flip flops or sandals this is very irresponsible. Suitable supportive shoes, boots or trainers are a very important piece of safety equipment. They should have grips on them or non-slip soles. Wear brightly coloured clothing (if possible with reflectors) when riding in the dark.
Other Safety Tips
Learn how to ride the moped before ‘going it alone’.
Be aware of how to use hand signals.
Be on the look-out for hazards at all times.
Do not park where it is illegal to do so.
Use lights when it is dark. It sounds obvious but quite often a rider will just get on to their moped and go without thinking of their lights.
Check mirrors and blind-spots frequently to be aware of others on the road / hazards.
Never leave the moped unattended with the engine running.
Only ride at speeds suitable for the environment (i.e. watch out for pot-holes), and for the weather conditions. The weather can be unpredictable so always try to carry waterproofs whenever possible.
Although you may be a confident rider, remember that not everyone else is as confident or proficient. There are some dangerous drivers / riders on the roads.
If carrying lots of baggage ensure that it is strapped correctly to the moped. An unsecure load can cause accidents.
Always obey speed limits, and be alert and observant at all times.
Do not ride in a cycle / bus / taxi lane whilst riding a moped.
Leave enough space for larger vehicles such as buses and lorries, especially when turning or at roundabouts.
Leave a large enough gap between yourself and the rider or driver in front of you. This gap should be larger is the road surface is wet, snowy or icy, or if it is misty / foggy.
Be careful when manoeuvring around parked vehicles, and watch out for pedestrians.
Do not allow others to distract you. Keeping both hands on the handlebars is more important than waving to a friend.
According to recent information from ‘Transport for London:
In a three year time period there were 142 personal injuries involving 16-19 year olds on mopeds.
The number of accidents during the winter months was higher, presumably due to the weather conditions.
So be careful, be cautious, and follow these simple instructions.
