The Deer That Nearly Totaled My Bike at Dawn  Ride Safe at Wildlife Hours - video Dailymotion

The Deer That Nearly Totaled My Bike at Dawn  Ride Safe at Wildlife Hours

Transcript

00:00One second, it's just empty asphalt stretching ahead, the world bathed in the soft gold of early

00:05morning. The next, bam, 200 pounds of deer catapult across your path, and your trip nearly

00:12ends before it even begins. Let's talk about riding smart during deer o'clock, those wildlife

00:19hours when dawn and dusk turn every ride into an adventure. There's something magical about

00:25riding at sunrise or sunset. The sky is painted in pastels, roads are quiet, and the air is crisp,

00:32a perfect time for two wheels. But that beauty hides danger, because dawn and dusk are also the

00:39prime hunting ground for wildlife. Deer, elk, moose, especially in rural or forested stretches,

00:46become most active in these hours. Their vision isn't great, and with the added glare or low light,

00:53yours might not be much better. Add in the unpredictable nature of wild animals,

00:58and you've got a recipe for a surprise you definitely don't want. Here's a sobering fact.

01:03In the U.S. alone, over 1.5 million deer vehicle collisions happen every year. For motorcyclists,

01:10the risks are sky high. Unlike a car, you don't have crumple zones or airbags, just your wits and

01:17your gear. So how do you stack the odds in your favor when wildlife makes the rules? Let's break

01:23down a few essential tips for riding smart during wildlife hours. First, slow down in high-risk

01:29zones. If you're anywhere near national parks, wooded roads, or farmland, adjust your speed,

01:36especially in the early morning or late evening. The faster you go, the less time you have to react

01:42if something darts out. Second, always scan the road edges. Deer rarely travel solo. If you spot

01:49one crossing, expect at least two more to follow. Keep your eyes moving along the tree line and ditches

01:55don't fixate on the center of the lane. Third, use your high beams whenever it's safe and there's no

02:01oncoming traffic. High beams can give you precious extra seconds to spot movement or the telltale shine

02:08of eyes at the roadside. Those tiny glowing dots can be your first and only warning. Fourth, and this

02:15might go against instinct, don't swerve if a deer runs out. Swerving could send you into oncoming traffic

02:22or off the road entirely. Instead, brake hard in a straight line. Reducing speed as much as possible

02:32is safer than making a sudden maneuver. Finally, ride with your brain fully awake. Fatigue in those

02:38early hours can cloud your judgment and slow your reflexes. Take a minute to stretch, hydrate,

02:44and shake off any drowsiness before you get rolling. The sharper you are, the safer your ride.

02:50Now let's talk bonus pro tips. Adding auxiliary lights, like bright LED fog lights, not only make you

02:58more visible to others, but also help you spot wildlife lurking at the road's edge. Consider investing

03:04in these if you ride frequently at dawn or dusk. There are also wildlife alert apps, like Deer Deter

03:11or local Department of Transportation alerts, that flag high-density zones. A quick check before your ride

03:18can give you a heads-up about areas that demand extra caution. And don't underestimate the power of

03:23high-vis gear. You can't control what wildlife does, but you can make sure you stand out to other

03:29motorists and improve your own safety in low-light conditions. Nature's stunning, but it doesn't care

03:35about your bike. Riding smart during wildlife hours is about more than skill. It's about being prepared,

03:41staying alert, and respecting the unpredictable. Let's keep your sunrise rides scenic, not scary.

03:47Now, I want to hear from you. Have you ever had a close call with wildlife? What saved you in that

03:54moment? Share your story in the comments, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for

04:00more rider-tested survival tips. Ride safe, and see you on the next journey.