As if avoiding accidents and injury wasn’t reason enough to ride your motorbike safely, being careful could also help you earn cheap bike insurance.

Figures from the Department of Transport saw some regions of the UK report a 30 per cent increase in the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on their roads last year. With a growing trend for powerful motorbikes, a significant number of bikers are thrill-seeking by riding at speeds well above the legal limits – so how can you stay safe and keep your premiums low?

Ensure you’re well prepared

Think about safety before you even step on to your motorbike – remember that riding a bike is much more physically enduring than driving a car and often requires a higher level of concentration. As such you should keep yourself fit and healthy and avoid riding while tired or after consuming any alcohol.

Make sure you’re wearing the correct gear too, so that if an accident does occur your injuries can be limited as much as possible. Standard gear should include a leather jacket that closes tightly around the wrists; long leather trousers; full fingered gloves; robust footwear for maximum grip and ankle protection, and a helmet. If your helmet does not have a visor then it is advisable to wear goggles to help maintain visibility if you encounter dust, wind or debris.

Maintain your bike

Your bike should be in top condition to reduce the risk of a mechanical failure that could cause an accident.

Steps to take include:

- Check oil and fluids: This includes the brake, coolant and clutch fluid levels as well as looking at the hoses and reservoirs to ensure there are no leaks. - Examine the controls: Before starting each journey, make sure that levers, control cables and hoses are in good condition and that the throttle moves freely.

- Turn on the lights and check electrics: Make sure that lights are working properly and that there are no cracks. It’s also worth ensuring that battery terminals are clean and that the battery is properly secured.

- Check tyres: Under inflation will wear the side of tyres, while over inflation will wear the middle of tyres - so ensure they are inflated correctly.

Remember that if something is not operating as it is supposed to, you should not attempt to ride your bike – instead get it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.

Don’t overload and think carefully before carrying passengers

Check your owner’s manual to ensure you don’t overload the vehicle – each bike has a carrying capacity that you should not exceed. Try and distribute weight evenly too and ensure attached loads are securely fastened.

Carrying passengers is not advisable unless you are an experienced biker. If you do carry a passenger then ensure the bike has suitable seating and foot pegs. Make sure that whoever you are carrying wears appropriate clothing, sits as still as possible and leans with the angle of the motorbike.

Ride safely

One of the most important elements of riding a bike is to keep calm at all times. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by other motorists even if they act inconsiderately. Don’t succumb to peer pressure if you’re riding in groups and don’t be tempted to take unnecessary risks.

Make sure you’re careful when travelling around bends, and don’t be tempted to overtake unless you can see the road ahead. It’s important to learn how to handle the power of the bike gradually, and learn how to brake properly – the bike’s stopping power is nearly all at the front wheel, so if you’re not careful you could go over the handlebars.

How to get cheaper motorbike insurance

Avoiding accidents when riding a motorbike will help reduce premiums by allowing the rider to build up a no-claims discount. For every year you’re insured and don’t make a claim – up to a limit of four or five years - you could, depending on the insurer, earn discounts potentially adding up to a maximum of 60 per cent.

There are several other steps to cheap motorbike insurance including:

- Choose bikes with less powerful engines or an older bike that is cheaper to repair.

- Don’t modify your bike as modifications can increase your premium.

- Improve the security of your bike with alarms, immobilisers and mechanical security devices. Also park in a garage overnight.

- Agree to limit your mileage.

- Consider increasing your voluntary excess, although only to a level you can comfortably afford.

- Pay premiums annually to avoid interest charges.

- Shop around for motorbike insurance using a comparison website to ensure you’re getting a competitive deal each year.