How to regain confidence after a motorcycle accident

You ‘only’ need to get back in the saddle as soon as possible. That’s the well-intended advice you usually get when it comes to regaining your confidence when you’ve been in a (motorcycle) accident. But for many people, it’s just not that simple! Something I can talk about myself considering it took me five years to get back on my bike ‘decently’. Although my reason was mainly medical, I will definitely write a blog about that too. But first the psychological part of getting back on your bike and regaining your confidence after an accident. Because you don’t ‘just get back on’ like it’s nothing, it’s quite a struggle for many. And that’s totally ok!

Damage goes beyond just your motorcycle

The aftermath of an accident can be much greater than just some eye damage and personal injury. That’s bad enough, of course, but many people also experience psychological consequences after being in an accident. First and foremost, I would like to point out that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s only natural, especially on a motorcycle. You are so vulnerable, chances are you might not have lived to tell the tale if it had happened any differently.

I myself had a major car accident in 2017. We were actually supposed to go on the motorcycle that day but decided to go by car anyway. My ex was driving, as I didn’t have my car license yet. We were hit from behind by a van as we were waiting at the traffic light. And although I didn’t see anything coming in the mirrors, it took me years to be able to drive the car again between larger vehicles without any problems. The craziest thing? I couldn’t care less if I drove between two trucks on the motorcycle, but in the car, I shat seven shades of shit and had mild panic attacks. This only improved after about 2.5 years while I was averaging 30,000km per year. It’s not as if I didn’t drive much.

Regaining confidence after an accident with help

Even if you are in the very often and for long stretches at a time, regaining your confidence after an accident is incredibly difficult. Everyone is different and everyone processes something like this in their own way. So it makes sense that everyone has their own timeline to eventually process such events. But certain things can help you regain your confidence on the road after an accident. For example, you can take a few lessons at your old driving school to get back on track. But there are also actual training and courses that are specifically designed to help you rebuild your confidence after you have been in an accident.

One of these courses is the KNMV confidence after accident training. The KNMV looks at your individual situation and, based on that, creates a customized program in which you are guided by a specialist. These specialists are specially trained in helping riders who are reluctant to get back on the bike after an accident. Allowing you to get back on the road without fear and stress.

This message is not sponsored

I do want to add that I am not paid or given anything to recommend this training, and that this is specifically a Dutch training.

I’ve had KNMV motorcycle insurance for many years and have always had very insightful conversations with the people of the KNMV at various motorcycle events. They have a good reputation when it comes to courses and training. And although I have not had this training myself, I would definitely recommend it because of my other experiences with the KNMV. Even if it doesn’t help, it can’t hurt to try. Most people don’t know that such a course or help with getting back on the road after an accident even exists. And I think this is something that should be common knowledge. With this blog, I simply hope to change that a little bit.

And if you have had an accident, I hope this blog has given you a little more confidence in yourself and your situation. So that soon you can get back on the road safe and sound and get some great miles in.

Find out more about the KNMV ‘vertrouwen na een ongeval’ training on their website