Daily boda boda safety check: five minutes before you ride

A quick check every morning catches most problems before they cause a breakdown or an accident. It takes five minutes.

The bike

• Tyres: press them, look for nails, cuts and bulges, and check the tread.
• Brakes: front and rear should both stop the bike firmly without the lever or pedal travelling too far.
• Chain: lubricated, not too slack, no stiff links.
• Oil: level between the marks, no leaks.
• Lights, indicators and horn: all working. Clean the headlight lens.
• Controls: throttle snaps back when released; clutch and brake levers move freely.
• Mirrors: both fitted and adjusted.
• Stand: springs back up properly.

The rider and passenger

• A properly fastened helmet for you and your passenger, every trip. Kenyan rules also require riders to wear a reflective jacket; check the current NTSA requirements.
• Carry only one passenger and don't overload with goods.
• Keep your licence and insurance current.

If something's wrong

Fix it before you ride. Brakes, tyres and lights can't wait until the end of the day. Log repairs in CarLog so you know what was done and when.