How to Handle Animals on the Road While Riding a Motorcycle

Motorcyclists can use their size, pick-up speed and maneuverability to avoid hitting animals on the roadway. But if you do get caught face to face with a live animal on the highway, remember the tips below.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Motorcycle Gloves
• Motorcycle Jacket
• Motorcycle Pants
• Motorcycle Insurance
• Eye Protection For Motorcycle Riders
• Federally Approved Motorcycle Helmets

1. Do everything you can to safely avoid hitting a small animal. Thousands of wild, rare and domestic animals are killed on the freeways each year.

2. When you see an animal ahead, downshift and approach the animal slowly.

3. Note any oncoming traffic or cars behind you, looking for a safe place to swerve should you need to if the animal runs in front of your wheel as you approach.

4. Speed up just as you reach the critter. If you pass by quickly, it will likely lose interest and not chase after you.

Tips & Warnings

• Motorcycles tend to attract dogs, but whatever you do, don't kick at them while riding - it's too easy to lose control of your bike.
• Note that it's never a good idea to run over dead animals either. Avoid them whenever safely possible - any kind of impact could cause you to lose control of your motorcycle.
• If you're in traffic, it's not a good idea to swerve from your lane to avoid running over a wild creature. Remember, your life is worth more than theirs.
• Motorcycling is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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on 9/14/2006 This is a tip I've gotten from my driving instructor, it's very simple and might just save you & your bike.

First of all, always scan the road in front of you! So if an animal or other soft obstacle enters your path you have time to react, rather than panic. If any animal gets in your way and changing lanes or doing an emergency stop is not an option, then slow down as much as possible, brace yourself by leaning down on the bike and holding the handlebars firmly.

Right before impact pull the clutch, and release the brakes - this prevents your tires from spinning or blocking when going over the softer surface.

Then ram the animal head on, any thing lower than your front tire will be run clean over by your tires, in the case of larger animals say a deer - do the same, but be prepared for a hard bump, and most likely loosing control of the bike.

Even though it sounds suicidal running something over, or colliding with wildlife - it will often be the leaser of evils when compared to slamming your bike in the railing or cars in another lane.

on 11/22/2005 Sounds unbelievable, but I know several folks who got rattler fangs in their boots when riding over one accidentally - one's head severed, flew up, and fangs lodged in the rider's jacket! Snakes like warmth of pavement, so be cautious in snake regions.