Your Feet & Ankles on the Open Road
Spice things up this summer season by buying or renting a motorcycle! While motorcycles aren't for everyone, they can be enjoyable vehicles and provide you a fun mode of transportation during the warmer months. Once you have all of your training and licensing taken care of, it's time to get cracking on that open road. With all the fun benefits of using a motorcycle, it's important to consider the risks associated with this type of vehicle. The most dangerous part of using a motorcycle is the other vehicles on the road! As the driver of your motorcycle, you can be the safest driver in the world, but that won't always protect you from the hazards of other drivers on the road. This is especially true for drivers in larger vehicles. Motorcyclists have to put extra time, effort, and energy into keeping themselves safe for this exact reason. Here are our 4 top tips on how to be prepared and stay safe when riding a motorcycle:
No one should ever start their engine without wearing and securing their protective gear.
The absolute safest measures include wearing gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, ankle-high boots, and even goggles if your helmet doesn't include eye protection.
Keeping a first aid kit on hand in case of small, manageable injuries like cuts or scrapes.
Wearing a bracelet or necklace with your emergency contact information on it. This is especially important for people with health conditions like diabetes to consider!
Protecting all other areas of our body is an important part of maintaining our foot and ankle health. As mentioned in our top tip above, wearing protective shoes like boots that cover up to our ankles is an important part of being a responsible motorcyclist. Our feet and ankles are closest to the ground and open to the elements around us, unlike when we're in a car. In the event of an accident or injury, wearing protective boots can help reduce your risk of worsening your injury and avoiding harsh contact between your skin and the pavement.
Contact James C. Ricketti, DPM and let us address all your foot and ankle needs. Our board-certified podiatrist will tailor treatments based on your individual needs and with our state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options, we’ll help you get back on your feet in no time! Call our office today at 609-587-1674 to make an appointment at our conveniently located Hamilton, NJ office.