This monsoon season in Pakistan has wreaked havoc on the country. With more than half of the country flooded, we suggest people not to leave their homes unnecessarily and avoid any places with high water levels. Moreover, if you are in a safe place and have the means to spare anything for the flood victims, consider donating to approved organizations.
If you are living in safe areas, then you must still be going about your routine. If you are worried about commuting to your office or university on your bike in the rain, fret not! Here are a few important tips for riding a bike in the rain.
1. How Low Can You Go
No matter which bike you are riding, be careful not to let it submerge in the water. The 3 most important parts of the motorbike which should stay out of the water are:
- Intake
- Exhaust
- Plug
These three parts keep your bike moving even in extreme conditions. But, if these get drenched in water, your bike will stop immediately. The plug of the bike should specifically be kept out and away from water at all costs.
2. Don’t use your brakes
Disc brakes work well in rainy weather and don’t malfunction easily. But, drum brakes need to be completely dry to function properly. That’s why, if your bike has drum brakes and they get wet, try not to use brakes too much and too often. Especially if you just rode your bike through deep water and got your brakes wet, wait for a few minutes before applying brakes. Otherwise, you will end up slipping on the road and hurting yourself.
3. Ride Slowly
As you will not be able to use your brakes a lot, it is important to ride your bike at a very low speed. No matter how much of a hurry you are in, try to keep your bike speed low. This will prevent you from slipping and avoid any kind of accidents. It will also allow you to your bike manually if your brakes stop working completely.
4. Lights and Mirrors
If you are riding your bike in rainy weather at night, it is important that you are visible to other people on the road. Make sure your indicators, headlight, and brake lights are working properly and will make you prominent even in low visibility situations. Also, use your bike’s side mirrors before taking turns or switching lanes for a safer riding experience.
5. Maintain a Constant Speed
While riding your bike on wet roads, try to keep the bike in 1st gear and keep a constant speed. Instead of changing speed frequently, maintain a continuous, consistent speed to avoid slipping on the road. Especially if you are riding through deep waters, it is important to keep a slow and steady speed, so you don’t slip or fall over in the water.
Use mudguards to prevent yourself and others from getting wet with mud and rainy water. Ride responsibly!
