5 Safety Tips for Pillion Riders

5 Pillion Rider Safety Tips

You need to follow the given below tips to ensure the safety of you and your co-passenger during the long rides. Apart from this, you must have your vehicle covered with a two-wheeler insurance plan as it covers your vehicle against any unforeseen circumstances on the road.

Drive Safely

You have to be confident with your riding skills before you ride with a pillion. When you ride with an adult in the backseat, their added weight impacts the braking, acceleration, and suspension. Your bike should have passenger foot pegs for the pillion rider so that he/she can rest their feet.

Also, when acceleration is out of control, your bike brakes should be working correctly and able to handle the weight of an adult at the back. Make sure that you have practice enough before heading out with a pillion rider on a long road trip.

Avoid Unwanted Movements

Every biker should acquaint their co-passengers with some basic riding rules. They should avoid leaning forward because the entire weight is shifted to the front and the rider finds it difficult to turn at sharp corners.

Moreover, this activity increases the chances of an accident. Also, ask your pillion rider to avoid dismounting from the bike unless it is at a complete halt, and you have both your feet on the ground.

Other than these, ask your pillion to follow these safety tips to avoid unwanted movements and ensure safety-

• Avoid moving unnecessary movements while you are in the back seat
• Do not poke or nudge the rider, rather convey through vocal communication while riding
• Sit straight without putting pressure on the rider
• Stay aware and awake. Do not doze off as it can create unwanted disturbances during the journey.

Equip with Safety Gears

Do not miss wearing the right protective gear even when you travel to nearby places. Here are some general tips to ensure safety for pillion riders using protective gear-

• Wear ISI certified helmet always
• Closely fitted clothes and boots are preferable
• Thermals during winters or foggy days
• Protect your eyes from dirt, dust, grit, and intense sun rays by wearing goggles.

Know the Basics

Most people are unaware of the safety measures that need to be followed as a pillion rider. Here are some of the basics that you have to adopt in making your journey safe and enjoyable-

• Balancing-

  Every vehicle driver should acquaint their co-passengers with some basic rules of riding on a bike. One thing that they need to be careful of is never leaning backward. When a pillion does so, the entire weight is shifted backward & the rider finds it difficult to ride on the road, and this increases the chances of an accident.

• Getting on the Bike-

  One of the most basic things that you need to take care of is that your pillion should hop on the bike when you are ready to ride. Keep the passenger pegs down and then ask the pillion rider to mount on it from the non-muffler side. As a rider, you should have control over the bike and keep it in an upright position so that the rider can fit comfortably.

• Turning-

  Your pillion rider’s slightest movements will impact how your bike runs and feels on the turns. If they lean on the opposite side of the direction in which your bike is turning, this will be an imbalance. Ultimately, it can lead to your bike falling. Therefore, telling your pillion in advance is imperative to avoid leaning and to sit straight while taking the turns.

• Hold the Rider Tightly-

  Ask your passenger to hold you tight. If there is a losing grip, then the pillion can fall or dash you in case of a sudden stop or brake.

  One of the common mistakes that most pillion riders make is that they hold on to the driver’s cloth and make it all the more uncomfortable for them.

• Always Stay Alert and Active-

  One of the most basic tips is to always stay alert during the ride. As a pillion, you should hop on the bike when the rider is ready to drive. Always stay alert, and you should sit comfortably so that the rider has full control over the bike.

Buy Motorbike Insurance Pillion Rider Cover

Apart from the tips mentioned above, you should insure your bike with a comprehensive bike insurance policy. It gives you financial coverage in case of any damage to your own vehicle in an unforeseen instance, such as an accident.

Also, having third-party bike insurance is mandated by the Motor Vehicles Act in India. However, for extensive protection of your passenger, you can buy pillion cover insurance. It gives financial coverage for the loss or damage caused to the pillion rider during a mishap. It is an add-on cover that protects the pillion rider in case of accidental death, injury, or permanent/partial disability.

In a Nutshell

It is important to be cautious when driving a bike, but you have to be extra careful if you are driving with a co-passenger in your backseat. Any damage or injury suffered by the co-passenger can increase your liability and therefore, you need to be sure about the safety of your pillion. You can incorporate the above-mentioned tips, which can help you to keep yourself and your co-passenger safe during the travel.