Finally…we reckon summer has arrived!
After a quick burst of sunshine around Easter dragged many bikers back out on the roads, some of the magic of riding was rubbed off by a really wet May and June.
But we’ve spotted the big glowing orb in the sky in recent days, and the weather forecasters are promising a better picture in August … perfect for a lovely ride out.
But that doesn’t mean jump on the bike in your best summer gear.
Be honest: how often do you see blokes on a scooter wearing shorts, and if we’re lucky a t-shirt, with sliders? Or girls riding in sandals and skirts?
It doesn’t bear thinking about the damage they’ll do to feet, legs and arms in the event of taking a tumble, even at really low speed.
Just so you know, hospital A&E nurses have a phrase for it: ‘road rash’ – that’s the lovely phrase they use for the injuries caused when bare flesh comes into contact with the tarmac.
It doesn’t sound too pleasant, does it? It isn’t: and A&E nurses will tell you that cleaning up these injuries is not for the faint-hearted, either.
How to avoid it? Ride in the proper gear. Remember, no matter how warm it is on the street, when we’re riding it can get cool pretty quickly – and there’s always the option of a Superman-style quick change at our destination into something more stylish and summery.
So… always wear gloves. We get hit that bulky gauntlets might seem the wrong choice for a scooter ride in summer, but there are lots of lightweight urban gloves to choose from, in stylish colours, with superior protection. Look for ones with knuckle and finger armour, and pad reinforcements. Make sure they meet the CE standard; 1 is a pass, 2 gives better protection.
On your feet, boots. Your feet and ankles are one of the most vulnerable parts of your body when riding, so protective motorcycle boots should always be high on your list of biking ‘must buys’.
Good news is that there are plenty of stylish biking boots for both men and women that look like ordinary street wear. Look for extra support around the ankle, strong soles and leather uppers. The key is make sure they carry CE-certification to EN13634 standard.
Don’t ride in shorts; as a minimum, always wear approved motorbike trousers. If fashion is your thing, go for ones cut to look like jeans or chinos and you won’t look amiss wearing them out. Men’s and women’s styling available, with extra padding at the seat, hips and knees for more protection.
Up top, wear a T-shirt by all means but you’ll need to cover it with a biker jacket. This doesn’t have to be full winter biker gear; a current favourite is a Tucano Urban mid-length jacket. It’s fashionable, lightweight – but strong, meaning great protection against abrasion and impact, without limiting riding ability. Check yours comes with Class A-CE/UKCA approval to EN17092:2020 standard.
Finally, the helmet. You must wear a safety helmet that meets British safety standards when riding a motorcycle or moped on the road. That means a helmet that meets one of the following standards:
• British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carries the BSI Kitemark
• UNECE Regulation 22.05
• or if from the European Economic Area, a helmet offering at least the same safety and protection as BS 6658:1985, and carrying a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark.
We recommend a full-face helmet, as they offer far better protection in the event of a crash than open face ones. If you do prefer an open face, visors or goggles must meet a British Standard and display a BSI Kitemark, too.
Finally, whichever you wear, always keep the chinstrap fastened.