Riding Your Motorcycle in Sunglasses: Everything You Need To Know

Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience, but safety is key for ensuring a smooth ride. Motorcycle gear like a helmet, a heavy-duty jacket, gloves, boots, and more are essential for protecting you on the road. However, eye protection is just as crucial when riding a motorcycle and is not to be underestimated. Motorcycle-associated ocular injuries can potentially lead to vision loss and blindness, which cut your riding days short and make your daily life much more difficult.

Motorcycle eyewear laws

Some places, like the United States, have rules on the eyewear you should wear while riding a motorcycle. Sunglasses should meet the eye safety standard ANSI Z87.1, and some states require eyewear by law. If you’re thinking of riding your motorcycle down south, you should keep these regulations in mind.

In Canada, eyewear rules aren’t as strict, but eye protection is strongly recommended for motorcycle safety. While helmets have visors, and there are goggles specifically designed for motorcyclists, there are other options that can help. If your helmet doesn’t come with a drop-down shield or visor, a pair of sunglasses can help protect your eyes and enhance your vision.

Why sunglasses?

As mentioned, motorcycle helmets typically have visors or face shields that can help protect your eyes and face. There are also motorcycle goggles that can be worn specifically for riding. However, if you need vision correction or want UV protection, sunglasses are a great option to consider. They can also be worn on and off your motorcycle, so you don’t need to keep swapping them out for goggles or have a separate pair for daily activities. Sunglasses offer many benefits for motorcyclists, here are a few:

Clear vision

Clear vision is crucial for keeping yourself and others safe on the road. It can help you efficiently navigate and avoid obstacles and hazards, allowing for a smooth ride. If you need vision correction and usually wear glasses, prescription sunglasses are a convenient solution to give you clear vision while on your motorcycle. Prescription shades provide clear vision like your glasses but with the added benefit of UV protection and enhanced contrast, as well as blocking out reflections from the sun. Ray-Ban offers a selection of high-quality prescription sunglasses that can correct your vision while topping your look. The Aviator and New Caravan models are sophisticated and stylish and are thin at the temples, so they can fit comfortably under a helmet. With a durable pair of prescription shades, you can enjoy clear vision for a safe ride and a cool look to boot. 

Eye protection

Besides being able to see clearly while riding your motorcycle, your eyes must be protected to help you see comfortably and unobstructed for safety. A pair of shades can help you maintain your eye health by blocking out UV rays. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can damage your eyes over time, leading to cataracts and macular degeneration. Sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection offer optimal protection, allowing you to enjoy more time on the road. Other than UV protection, sunglasses also protect you during rides by shielding you from debris and glare. Motorcycles kick up dust, pebbles, and even insects at high speeds. Sunglasses act as a shield, preventing them from hitting your eyes and potentially causing serious injury. A wraparound style like the Oakley Half Jacket or the Oakley Gascan can provide protection from more angles. Be sure to wear a helmet with a flip-down face shield for extra safety.

Visual comfort

Having to pull over or cut a ride short due to discomfort or irritation can ruin the vibe and fun of your ride. Sunglasses can offer visual comfort when on the road, preventing a few more issues from disrupting your time on the road. Glare from the sun reflecting off cars, windshields, and even the road itself can be blinding. Sunglasses improve your visual clarity and comfort by helping reduce harsh glare that can blind you. They also prevent you from needing to squint, especially when the sun is bright and shining into your eyes. Squinting in bright sunlight causes fatigue and makes it harder to stay focused. Sunglasses make for a more comfortable riding experience since you don’t have to exert too much effort by squinting. 

Even with sunglasses, sometimes the weather or environmental conditions aren’t optimal for riding. Instead of taking the risk, you can explore many other activities when you can’t ride your motorcycle. Tune into a motorcycle-related show or documentary on a streaming service, or head to a motorcycle museum. You’ll get a better appreciation for motorcycle riding during the off-season or resting periods.