Motorcyclists should maintain a minimum two-second following distance under normal conditions. Any time conditions are less than perfect, a larger following distance is recommended.

No matter the speed, riders who are not wearing helmets are three times more likely to die from head injuries than riders who are wearing helmets at the time of a crash.

Perform safety checks before every motorcycle ride. Test your brake controls individually to make sure each one activates the brake lights.

Most motorcycle crashes occur in broad daylight, so wearing brightly-colored, reflective clothing while riding is advised no matter the time of day.

Warning signs are yellow with black lettering or symbols and provide important information to motorists about upcoming road conditions. This sign warns that a stop sign is ahead.

A motorcycle fits you appropriately if your feet comfortably reach the ground while you are seated. Be sure a motorcycle fits you before riding.

To have proper riding posture, position yourself so that you are using your arms to steer rather than to hold yourself up. Sit so that your elbows are slightly bent when you hold the handgrips.

To lessen the chances of a crash occurring, you should make yourself visible, communicate your intentions to others, maintain adequate space cushions, search your path of travel at least 12 seconds ahead, identify and separate hazards, and be prepared to react to changing conditions.

When passing a row of parked vehicles to your right, you may ride in the left portion of your lane. This way, you can more easily avoid opening doors, drivers getting out of vehicles, or people stepping out from between vehicles. Only ride in the left portion of the lane if there is no oncoming traffic.

It is best to change gears before entering a turn. If you must change gears while in a turn, be sure to do so smoothly.

If traffic allows, the center lane position is usually the best position for a motorcyclist to take when following a car because the center position will place them in the driver's rearview mirror. A motorcyclist should always be prepared to change positions if traffic or conditions require it.

For persons under the legal drinking age of 21, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02 percent or higher will result in a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI).

All riders and passengers are required to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.

A primary cause of single-vehicle collisions is motorcyclists running too wide in a curve or turn. Taking a turn too wide can cause a motorcycle to leave the roadway or collide with an object.

Saddlebags should be loaded with approximately equal weights. If a load is distributed unevenly between bags, it may cause the motorcycle to drift to one side.

In California, it is illegal for a person age 21 or older to operate a motorcycle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. For a person under the age of 21, it is illegal to operate a motorcycle with a BAC of 0.01 percent or higher. It may be unsafe to operate a motorcycle even if you are under the legal limit.

If you accidentally lock the rear wheel while stopping on a surface with good traction, you can keep it locked until you have completely stopped. Even with a locked rear wheel, you can control your motorcycle if it is upright and traveling in a straight line.

Use both brakes every time you slow or stop. It is important to be able to brake quickly by using both brakes.

Warning signs are yellow with black lettering or symbols and provide important information to motorists about upcoming road conditions. This sign warns that the roadway ahead is likely to be slippery when wet.

To reduce the risk of a crash, you should always ensure that you are visible to others. Communicate your intentions through proper use of your signals, brake light, and lane position. Maintain a space cushion around your motorcycle and consistently scan the road ahead of, behind, and next to your vehicle.