There are millions of motorcycles on the road and you see them everywhere you go. With the rising cost of fuel they become a more popular form of transportation every year. They are also popular for mountain climbing, dirt bike racing and working in open areas. You might have ridden a two wheeled bicycle most of your life or even now but learning motorcycle safety and how to properly operate one is something I think everyone should know.
I may have an advantage over most people because of my location. For 51 weeks of the year Sturgis South Dakota is a sleepy little town with a population of just over 6,000 people. The local police often refer to it as Mayberry, a friendly family oriented town that is a wonderful place to raise children.
But, during the month of August every year since 1939 bikers gather in the Sturgis, Black Hills area of South Dakota to celebrate their love of riding. It began as a small gathering and has grown tremendously over the years. Currently the area welcomes over ¼ million bikers during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that is held during the first full week of August.
The number of motorcycle crashes fluctuates from year to year and there are different reasons for each one. I firmly believe that the roads would be a lot safer if every driver had motorcycle safety training.
The everyday driver often does not realize what it takes to safely maneuver a motorcycle in traffic or winding roads. Unfortunately, many riders just assume that everyone else is looking out for them and that is not the case, although it should be.
There are many different types of bikes and people enjoy riding for different reasons but, one thing is a constant and that is safety. You don’t have the benefit of being surrounded by a steel cage, air bags and seat belts on a motorcycle. You are wide open to the weather elements, wildlife and other vehicles. Basic safety tips could save your life or help you avoid a crash altogether.
1. Learn to ride from a professional- The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers training and refresher courses at a very affordable rate. Most classes are held in the evening for one or two weeks with one Saturday class and they provide the motorcycles to learn. Once you successfully complete the course you are presented with a card to take to your local licensing agency. Simply present the card, take the eye test and you are done, you will not need to take an additional driving test
Belinda Nelson
