Walker Revs Up Wisconsin for Motorcycle Season
Soaring gas prices drive more motorists to switch to bikes.
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Gov. Scott Walker has designated May as Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Month in Wisconsin.
"Motorcyclists have the right by law to the safe enjoyment of their vehicles, including the full and equal use of the roadway without encroachment by other vehicles whether it be on city streets or rural and urban highways," Walker said in his proclomation.
Motorcycles are increasingly being used for basic transportation as well as recreation because of soaring gas prices. More than 491,000 Wisconsin residents have motorcycle licenses or permits and more than 333,000 motorcycles are registered in the state, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
"With the 2011 riding season now underway in Wisconsin, motorcycles are rapidly returning to our streets and highways," Greg Patzer, manager of the Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program said. "To prevent crashes, motorists need to share the road and watch for motorcycles in traffic, especially at intersections and while making turns or lane changes.
“For their part, motorcyclists must obey all traffic laws and never ride while impaired," Patzer continued. "They should always wear protective gear, including a helmet. Riding a motorcycle also takes more physical skill and mental concentration than driving a car. Becoming a lifelong learner through formal training is critical to a rider’s safety.
"On average for the last five years, traffic crashes annually have killed nearly 100 motorcyclists and injured approximately 2,500. And most of these deaths and injuries could be prevented if motorists would share the road and motorcyclists were well trained and always rode within their limitations," Patzer concluded.
To save lives and reduce injuries from crashes, the Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program has provided rider training through the state technical colleges for 29 years and has graduated more than 140,000 riders in that time.
This year, the Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program has expanded its courses and will offer comprehensive training for riders at all levels of experience from beginner to advanced. For information about rider training courses and locations, visit the WisDOT website.
In addition, the Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program will use its new mobile training facility this year, called Transportable High-End Rider Education Facility (THE REF), to reach out to motorcycle riders around the state and encourage formal rider training.
“THE REF will go to where the riders are,” Patzer said. “Designed to be nonintrusive, while still offering the most critical of survival tips, THE REF encourages both riders and non-riders to learn more about sharing the road, crash avoidance, and awareness of road and traffic hazards.”
For information about THE REF, visit ZeroInWisconsin.gov.
John
7:56 am on Monday, May 2, 2011
As an avid motorcyclist for more than 30 years, defensive driving is a must. I'm of the opinion that ALL drivers be required to not only take a motorcycle safety course, but actually ride in traffic for a period of time to get perspective. But with the times as they are, its unfortunate that I've come to the realization that I will not be killed from being in a blind spot or crossing an intersection (I know better), but I'll be killed by someone distracted by a phone! Put them away when you're driving people!!
Don Jacobs
8:26 am on Monday, May 2, 2011
I agree John. You will never catch me in a blind spot and I carefully tread intersections. It is quite often, the distracted driver on a phone or a texting device that is the root of our challenges on the road.
JB
9:40 am on Monday, May 2, 2011
What I'd really like to see is an increase in motorcycle awareness taught in driver's education classes. I agree with John that requiring all young people to take a motorcycle safety class would be a step in the right direction. But at the very least, there ought to be an entire section of course curriculum taught in driver's ed strickly on motorcycles. There will always be people who fail to judge the speed of an approaching motorcyle and pull out or turn in front of them - but a problem I experience EVERY time I ride is tailgating. Apparently, the majority of cage drivers have no clue how dangerous it is to tailgate a motorcylist. I can stop my bike on a dime and when you're a few feet off my rear tire - if I stop quickly, you'll run right over me. Back-off people!
John
9:48 am on Monday, May 2, 2011
Something like this from last week JB?
http://youtu.be/ulH1Q0byVDA
JB
10:03 am on Monday, May 2, 2011
Exactly John and he was lucky! Most riders are killed in accidents - no matter what type. Automobile drivers need to understand that for them, having a small fenderbender costs them nothing more than dollar and cents. But a fenderbender to you and me might very well cost us our lives!
Bren
11:13 am on Monday, May 2, 2011
Sometimes it's really hard to see a motorcycle if 1. it comes up from behind very quickly; and 2. enters a car's blind spot. Most large bike drivers are very careful; the biggest issue is guys in their 20s on the smaller racing cycles. I've had experiences on the freeway where they roar up behind like I'm parked, pass me without leaving "our" lane, then dive into the next lane, cutting someone off. All this with cars traveling at 65 mph+. Most of the time there's not a helmet to be seen.
JB
11:48 am on Monday, May 2, 2011
Wrekless drivers / riders come in all size autos and motorcycles. Fortunately, the people you describe are a small percentage. I do agree with John that as an auto driver, you must LOOK for motorcycles as an active part of your driving. Too many times we hear, "I just didn't see them". Also, I'm not sure where you're coming from with your last comment; a helmet has nothing to do with whether you see me or not and it has nothing to do with whether I am a safe rider or not.
John
11:39 am on Monday, May 2, 2011
I 'hear" what you are saying but I cannot agree. You can't see a motorcycle unless you LOOK for them. Driver education seems to be taking hold as this problem has been dwindling over the past 10 years or so but my work requires me to drive quite a bit and although the problem has lessened, I still find that Wisconsin drivers are among the most unaware of what's going on around them on the road.
With that said, yes, many people drive too fast and recklessly - culling of the herd?
Tommy K.
4:14 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
21 years ago a co-worker gave me the best piece of advise I've ever received on motorcycling, "ride like everyone is out to kill you, their just waiting for the right time and place". This advise has saved me at LEAST once a year! Now with smart phones, ipods, ect., it's more important than ever to be as aware of your surroundings as possible. Be safe out there folks!