How Dangerous Is Dirt Bike Riding? Know in Details!

Whether you are shredding cross country, tearing up a BMX course, or just riding around trails with friends, dirt biking is an adrenaline-filled sport that kids and adults can enjoy. Dirt biking offers riders a full-body workout and strengthens their core muscles. But, with its benefits, dirt biking is still dangerous, and how dangerous is dirt bike riding?

The danger in dirt bike riding can be life-threatening. Also, the amount of danger in dirt bike riding depends on the rider’s skill level and other factors such as the road condition, the condition of the bike, and many more. You can lower your risk of injury by wearing good safety gear, including a helmet.

In addition, the best way to reduce the risks of dirt biking is by reducing the number of risk factors involved. Buying a bike that suits the rider is important. Taking lessons and riding in places designed for safe riding can increase your enjoyment of the sport.

Statistics On Dirt Bike Riding Injuries

Between 2002 and 2014, head injuries were the most common type of injury in dirt bike riders. They accounted for 56 percent of injuries, followed by injuries of the upper extremity (29 percent) and lower extremity (12 percent). Broken bones and sprains are the most common serious dirt bike riding injuries.

Also, from 2002 to 2005, there were around 300,000 dirt bike-related emergency room visits per year. In those years, 50% of the injuries were concussions or closed head wounds, and 61% of the injured people were not wearing a helmet. The most common type of injury was a fracture (42%), followed by a soft tissue injury (32%) and sprains or strains (18%).

The bottom line is that more than 70% of dirt bike injuries happen during leisure activities. As a dirt biker, you can protect yourself by wearing a helmet and other protective gear. The common cause of head injuries is being thrown off the bike or crashing into another object. Therefore, always use your safety gear.

Are Dirt Bike Riding Is Safer Than ATV (Four Wheeler) Riding

Dirt bike riding is a safer sport than ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) riding. Dirt bikes are constructed for the dirt, where ATVs are not. ATVs are designed to ride on rock, snow, sand, mountain terrain, and more. It’s better to stick to your dirt bike on the dirt and not stray off-road.

There were more than 11,000 injuries on ATVs in just one year in the United States alone. At the same time, there were only about 5,400 injuries for dirt bike riders. On the contrary, dirt bikes are often viewed as more dangerous than all-terrain vehicles because they are less stable and lack the extra set of wheels provided by an ATV.

However, with appropriate training and safety measures, dirt bike riders can maximize the benefits and minimize the dangers of riding a dirt bike.

Also, dirt bikes are slightly better than ATVs when it comes to overall safety and security. This is because dirt bikes are usually lighter than ATVs and only require the rider to maneuver them through corners. In addition, dune buggies often roll over when taking tight turns, so the reduced size of a dirt bike makes them more secure.

In addition, because of their smaller size, dirt bikes are less likely to injure you if they get loose. However, all-terrain vehicles are still reasonably safe, especially compared to other forms of motorsport.

Additionally, riding a dirt bike is safer if you look at the overall number of crashes and deaths. However, ATVs have serious fatal accidents, with many resulting in death. This is because the nature of riding an ATV is that most riders don’t wear protective gear like helmets etc.

How Dangerous Is Dirt Bike Riding?

Dirt bike riding dangers are very great, and they can be avoided. However, with statistics that range from 5 deaths per 100,000 population to 260 deaths per 100,000 population, it can be difficult to handle how dangerous dirt bike riding is.

The difficulty with this statistic is that it depends on where you are and what type of dirt biking you are doing. However, some factors let you know how dangerous dirt bike riding can be.

The danger of riding a dirt bike leads to injury and sometimes death if the impact is so severe on the rider. Serious dirt bike injuries can happen to the collarbone, shoulder, knee, or jaw. The most commonly sustained injuries include a fractured wrist, broken leg and ankle, bruised shoulder, collar bone fracture, and post-concussion syndrome.

The common one is a head injury, and all of them can be avoided by using safety gear. In addition, you need to understand the terrain where you ride, the road condition, the condition of the bike, and always ride without spending too much. Those are ways to minimize getting involved in any incident or accident.

How Can Dirt Bike Related Injuries Be Avoided?

Dirt bike riding injuries are very common, but sometimes they can be avoided. Here are some of the ways you can avoid injuries related to riding your dirt bike.

Use your safety gear

Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a helmet, gloves, goggles, elbow and knee pads, chest protector, and safety boots are crucial to reducing injuries related to dirt bike riding. In addition, wearing PPE can reduce injury severity from falls and collisions with other vehicles or the terrain.

A larger percentage of those who end up in head injuries or other injuries while riding their dirt bike fail to use any of their safety gear. They are not for decoration, and that is why you need to use them whenever you are getting on the dirt bike.

Move Slowly

Yes, getting on a dirt bike is to speed up and have fun, but considering your safety, you need to go as slowly as possible. Riding too fast can be the cause of deadly accidents. Dirt bikes reach up to 100 miles per hour, and that is a lot of speed if you are racing on uneven surfaces such as gravel, dirt, and rocks.

There is nothing more important than riding slowly when it comes to dirt biking safety. Riding fast can lead to unsafe situations, especially if you are trying a tricky track the first time. Make sure to ride slowly to see what is in front of you.

Know your Terrain

Take the time to know your riding terrain. Do not just ride your bike; you need to look for inclines, hills, rocks, and other dangerous situations in your path. For example, it is common for riders to confuse things like leaves with rocks and ride directly into a large hole, causing serious injury. Taking the time to look for these problems can help you avoid them.

Know the condition of the bike

To avoid injuries from dirt bike accidents, one must first know the bike’s condition before riding it. Even if the bike looks perfectly fine on the outside, you must be certain that it has not received any damage. After all, a damaged dirt bike could put your life in danger on the road.

Do not drink before riding

You know that it is dangerous to drive a car after drinking. The same applies to riding your dirt bike when you are under alcohol. Not only are your driving abilities impaired, but you will hesitate to take safety precautions, such as wearing your protective gear when riding.

Ride in groups

Riding in groups helps increase your visibility because other cars will notice a group of bikers. You will also enjoy better safety because you can call for help when something happens. It’s also an excellent way to make new friends.

Safety Tips For Dirt Bike Riders

Dirt bike riding is an exciting sport, but it is very important to wear the right protective gear to avoid serious injuries. So, here are some tips for dirt bike riders to stay safe.

Check the condition of the bike before riding

Always inspect the bike before riding. Inspect the tire tread and pressure, brake pads, and clutch fluid. Most people overlook this routine check, and they regret their decision. Inspecting the bike will let you know if anything is wrong that needs repair with the bike before hitting the trail. Driving a bad bike increases your chance of getting injured.

Choose the right bike

Before you even head out on your bike, it is important to make sure you have the right equipment. The first step is to ensure that the dirt bike you choose matches your body type and strength level. If you are a beginner or smaller in size, you will want a bike with less power. Riders who are experienced will be able to handle more power than beginners.

Never ride at night

Riding at night is not easy. Besides the difficulty of spotting the bumps and holes along the road, there are fewer cars and other vehicles sharing the road at night. Drivers are often tired and may fall asleep, thus causing an accident. It’s just safer not to ride at night.

Use your safety gear

There’s a reason why you should always wear your safety gear, even when riding around the streets. Aside from being mandatory in most places, having enough protection can help lessen the impact of an accident. That is especially important if you find yourself in a collision while riding.

Get familiar with the terrain

Before taking a dirt bike out for a spin, be sure to familiarize yourself with the terrain. Start by scouting out the area and identifying the difficult sections of the trail. Knowing where you will need to slow down or where you can pick up speed will help you better prepare for each section of a trail.

Conclusion

While riding a dirt bike is fun, it can be dangerous if some safety measures are not properly considered or observed. So, this page on how dangerous is dirt bike riding reveals all that you need to know on riding safely when next you get on a dirt bike. With the information on this page, you will get to know more about how to ride safely on your dirt bike.

The secret to staying safe while riding your dirt bike is to ride well within your comfort zone, get the dirt bike tire for trail riding, take it nice and easy, and practice safety gear such as helmets and gloves. You should still be careful when riding a dirt bike, though.