When you’re planning to ride in a city for the first time, you might be doing some research to determine how safe it is for motorcyclists. It’s important to learn this before you go so that you know what kind of behavior to expect while you’re on the roads riding your motorcycle. Many places are motorcycle-friendly, but it’s still important to check before your trip, or before taking your motorcycle out on the road for the first time in a new area.
In Texas, one of the cities that people visit is Dallas. It’s one of the biggest cities in the country, so it makes sense that people are attracted to visiting or living there. When you ride a motorcycle, though, you might have questions about the city that others might not think of.
Let’s take a look at whether or not Dallas is motorcycle-friendly.
Motorcycle Safety in Dallas
Dallas is a big city with a lot of people, which means there are tons of cars on the road. As many Texas drivers of regular motor vehicles will point out, Dallas isn’t even very friendly to cars, let alone motorcycles. Unfortunately, many motorcyclists get into collisions in Dallas.
In fact, in 2020, Texas saw increased deaths of motorcyclists. Even though the Texas Department of Transportation reported that there was a 2 percent decrease in motorcycle accidents in 2020, the number of fatalities from these crashes increased by 17 percent. There were over 7,000 motorcycle wrecks in Texas that year, and almost 2,000 of those involved were seriously injured and nearly 500 were killed.
Being the third largest city in Texas, it’s likely Dallas was the location of many of those collisions causing injury or even death. Here are some of the ways that motorcyclists can more safely navigate our city and enjoy riding their bikes on our roads:
- Look out for aggressive drivers
- Stay alert
- Slow down and stay back from other vehicles
- Look twice before changing lanes
- Ride defensively and assume other drivers don’t see you
- Avoid rush hours
- Take extra precautions at intersections and left turns
- Within the city is the worst part, so be extra careful riding there
- Try to stay in the more suburban areas for clearer or safer roads
- Follow the rules of the road
- Make sure your bike is up to date on maintenance
- Be vigilant for reckless drivers at all times
Even if you followed all these safety precautions and rode your motorcycle as carefully as possible, you still could have been involved in an accident. Dallas isn’t the most motorcycle-friendly city, meaning an accident could occur at any time. At Buckingham & Vega Law Firm, our Dallas, TX motorcycle accident lawyer is here to represent you after a crash in the Dallas area.
Texas Motorcycle Laws
Whether you’re riding in Dallas or the rest of Texas, the best way to stay safe on your motorcycle is to know the state laws. Even in the most motorcycle-friendly places, you can get into a collision. Knowing and adhering to the law can ensure you’re as safe as possible when that happens to avoid serious injury or death.
One of the laws that is most important is our helmet law. In Texas, all riders and passengers must wear a helmet while operating their motorcycle. The only exception to this law is if the person on the motorcycle is over 21 years old and has completed a safety course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration. Or, if they haven’t completed the course, they are allowed to ride without a helmet if they are 21 and have proof of medical insurance coverage.
Another important law to follow in Texas is to avoid lane splitting. This practice is commonly used in heavy traffic when it’s moving slowly or at a standstill. Motorcyclists might use this as an opportunity to ride between the cars. But this is incredibly dangerous and proves very deadly. Never lane split in Texas because it’s illegal and dangerous.
You have all the same duties as other vehicles on the road in Dallas with far less protection than they do in their regular vehicles. It’s crucial for you to follow the laws and other safety tips so that you are as safe as possible on your motorcycle.
When you follow the laws but are hurt in a crash, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover. That’s partly why it’s important to follow the law—that way, if you’re in a motorcycle wreck, you know you weren’t at fault and can get full compensation for what you experienced.
Popular Motorcycle Routes in Dallas
Even though it’s not exactly friendly for motorcyclists, you probably still want to ride in Dallas. With the views of the city, it makes sense. There are a few routes in Dallas that could prove enjoyable for you to ride if you have your heart set on riding your motorcycle in our city.
Even though these are established routes for motorcyclists, and therefore are likely safer scenery than in downtown Dallas, be sure to still follow all the laws and rules so you are as safe as possible. Here are some of the most popular motorcycle routes in our city:
- North Dallas Twistys—This 48-mile route begins in Denton and ends in McKinney, with plenty of small towns and historic buildings along straight roads as well as many tight turns.
- The Lizard’s Tail Pt. 1—This route is more leisurely, and part 1 is 30 miles. This ride takes you around Lake Worth with plenty of views of the lake as well as tree-covered roads to keep out of the hot Texas sun.
- The Red River Cruise—This route is a bit longer but is an easy ride. At 130 miles, you’ll enjoy this route through the North Texas countryside. There are hills, valleys, straightaways, and long sweeping curves to keep your ride entertaining.
If you get into a crash along the way in the Dallas area, a motorcycle accident attorney from Buckingham & Vega Law Firm can help you.
Buckingham & Vega Law Firm Can Help You
Motorcycle accidents can cause devastating injuries, damages, and even death in the most serious collisions. You shouldn’t have to go through the recovery process alone. Our motorcycle accident attorneys from Buckingham & Vega Law Firm are here to help you financially recover from your collision so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Reach out to our firm today so we can schedule a free consultation and get started on your claim right away.