Making room for motorcycle safety.
 
Spring is when motorcycle riders from the northern half of the country dust off their boots and get on their motorcycle for the first ride of the new riding season. Many motorcycle riders from the South take road trips to escape the oppressive heat and who can blame them! Man, does it ever get hot in Florida in the summer! That is why state and federal agencies recognize each May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. This year Congress has decided to join in as well.

As co-chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus and long time motorcycle riders, they have introduced a resolution that supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The bipartisan H. Res. 339 is working its way through committee and the full House and has 18 additional co-sponsors. They hope more members will sign on, even those members who do not ride a motorcycle.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month asks and supports motorcycle riders to always wear a good quality DOT approved helmet and other protective motorcycle riding gear such as leathers, boots and gloves. This motorcycle program also strongly advises all motorcycle and atv riders to never drink and ride, have a legal license, and get motorcycle riding training for new atv and motorcycle riders. These should be common sense things all motorcycle riders and atv riders do without any prompting but sadly important messages such as these need to be mentioned each spring for all motorcycle and atv riders whether they ride year round or are just getting their motorcycle out of winter storage for the spring, summer and fall riding time. 

Another critical safety component of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, also highlighted by H. Res. 339, is the need for automobile drivers to be on the look out for motorcycle riders. In 2006, 55 percent of all fatalities in motorcycle crashes involved another vehicle in addition to the motorcycle. In many of these crashes, the drivers of the other vehicle reported that they "never saw the motorcycle." They need to put down the cell phone glued to their ear, stop shoving another Big Mack in their pie hole and open their freaking eyes I say!

Congress, state and federal agencies, and the motorcycle riding and atv riding public need to take the proper safety procedures to heart to ensure that drivers of cars, SUVs, and trucks are aware of motorcyclists on the road. Riders can do their part by always wearing their helmet, having their headlight on (even during daylight hours), wearing a bright and conspicuous helmet, wearing the proper safety gear and riding responsibly. In addition, all motorcycle riders can increase safety by being cautious and always "taking a second look" before pulling onto the highway or interstate.

Motorcycle riding is fun, very popular and growing more so each year, helps to reduce traffic congestion on the nations roads, have a very small impact on highway infrastructure, and are very fuel efficient, making them more attractive than ever to many motorists. More than 23 million people will operate a motorcycle this year and simply knowing that should be on the mind all motorcycle riders and automobile drivers to be more conscience while on the road.

On May 1, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, members of Congress, avid motorcycle rider, she rides a Harley Davidson, and safety advocates will get together to celebrate the beginning of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

You can do your part by contacting your U.S. representative and explaining to them if they want your vote they need to co-sponsor H. Res. 339 and attend this event. Lets all make this the safest year ever for motorcycle rider and atv riders. Most importantly, if you're riding motorcycle alway wear your helmet and ride it responsibly. If you're driving an automobile remember to watch out for motorcycle riders. You just might save a life and it very well could be your life or a loved one whose life you save.