Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Riders who have been cooped up all winter are excited to be out on the road again. But you know the saying: With great power comes great responsibility. Motorcyclists are aware of the risks of riding a motorcycle, but are other drivers that share the roadways also aware of the risks?
Unlike those that drive cars, motorcyclists and their passengers don’t have seatbelts or airbags to protect them, which means a collision could pose a greater risk. Motorcyclists need to be aware of their surroundings a little more and not live up to the bad rap of zipping in and out of traffic and being loud and rowdy. Alternatively, car drivers should always be checking their mirrors and blind spots for motorcyclists, who may not be as easy to spot as a car, truck, or other commercial vehicle. It is important for all motorists to be respectful of traffic laws as well. The burden of caution belongs to everyone that shares the road.
Did you know grass clippings left on the road can be extremely dangerous to motorcyclists? They act like a sheet of ice when left on the roadways and can cause a bike to slip and slide and potentially throw riders off their bikes. The next time you cut your lawn, make sure to clean up the grass clippings from the road to keep both motorcyclists and car drivers safe.
And if you see a group of motorcyclists, they are likely riding for a charity. When they ride, they also donate money. They donate their time and support. They may even be escorting a fallen hero or fulfilling a sick child’s dream.
This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Ten years ago this month, my husband was hit by a distracted driver while on his bike. He was only going 25 miles per hour or less, yet had to be life flighted to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown for injuries he sustained. To this day, his health is affected by this accident. This, however, does not stop us from being part of the motorcycle community. We both enjoy raising money for various groups and charities in the Ohio Valley with our friends and family.
Additionally, my son will be graduating in July from the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) of Orlando, Fla., with his degree as a master motorcycle technician. He is also a future employee of the famous Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley Davidson Dealership in Daytona, Fla.
This is the time of the year to be the most cautious while driving — whether it’s with the breeze in your hair on a bike or with all your car windows down. Sometimes there’s nothing quite like it. But by doing your due diligence and remaining alert, we can all enjoy a beautiful day without tragedy and return home safely to our loved ones.
Stay safe, everyone.
;)
