As of: February 27, 2024, 4:03 p.m
By: Sebastian Oppenheimer
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Even motorcyclists have a breakdown sometimes.
However, at least in Germany, you do not have to carry a warning triangle or safety vests with you.
But: How are you supposed to secure a danger spot?
In the event of a breakdown while driving, setting up the warning triangle is one of the most important things for drivers to do as quickly as possible.
Just like putting on a high-visibility vest, you protect yourself and other road users from accidents.
But what do motorcyclists actually do in the event of a breakdown?
In Germany there is no obligation for them to have a warning triangle or a warning vest with them.
We asked an ADAC
motorcycle expert
how bikers should behave.
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Warning of danger zones: Yellow scarf as a breakdown signal for motorcyclists?
In fact, there are breakdown detection signs for bikers - for example, attaching a yellow scarf to the motorcycle.
But this type of warning never really caught on.
Problem: Very few motorcyclists always have a yellow scarf with them.
However, another “warning method” occasionally appears on social media: This states that you should place your helmet at a sufficient distance behind the bike in order to alert other road users to the dangerous situation.
Why the motorcycle helmet is in many cases unsuitable as a “warning signal”.
But is wearing a helmet on the road really a good idea?
According to ADAC motorcycle expert Ruprecht Müller, this danger warning also never became established.
“One problem is that many motorcyclists like to wear dark helmets,” Müller told 24auto.de from IPPEN.MEDIA.
In such a case, helmets are extremely unsuitable as a warning signal.
That's why the idea was further developed: In order to make the helmet more visible, corresponding covers with a stylized warning triangle were developed.
According to the expert, this approach never really caught on.
The ADAC expert advises against simply leaving your helmet on the side of the road.
After all, there is a great risk that the helmet will be run over - and then no longer be usable.
But the helmet should still be usable after the breakdown.
Motorcycle breakdown: What the ADAC expert recommends
A motorcycle helmet as a “warning signal” on the road for a bike that has broken down?
An ADAC expert explains what he thinks about it.
© M. Litzka/Dalle (AI generated)
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The ADAC expert recommends moving the motorcycle as far away from the road in use as possible.
Especially if you want to repair something on the bike.
“In any case, the hazard warning lights should be activated and the motorcycle should be aligned so that the lights are as visible as possible to other road users,” says Müller.
“And even if high-visibility vests are not mandatory for motorcyclists, it is still advisable to take one with you and put it on in such a case.”
“If you have a brightly colored helmet, you can also attach it as high as possible to the machine so that it cannot fall down,” explains Müller.
Otherwise, the same tips apply as for car breakdowns: as far away from the road as possible - and it's best to wait behind the guardrail for help.