Summer motorcycle safety tips

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month may be in the rearview mirror, but summer continues to be a crucial time for motorcyclists and riders. Traffic is returning to pre-pandemic levels, families are planning for summer road trips, and interest in motorcycling — for commuting and recreation — is seeing strong growth. In an effort to reach as many drivers and riders as possible, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has teamed up with AAA to get the word out.

"We are all one community on the road, and we need to look out for one another," said AAA spokesman Jeff Spring. "During the pandemic, many of us drove far less than in a typical year, and as we return to the road, our driving skills may be a little rusty. AAA encourages everyone on the road to keep their speeds down, cut out distractions, use their signals early and often, and double- even triple-check for motorcyclists when changing lanes."

In 2020, sales were up 11.4 percent last year for new motorcycles and scooters, and in 2021, first quarter sales were very strong with a year-over-year increase of more than 37.2 percent for motorcycles and scooters. Many training facilities across the country coached more riders in 2020 than in 2019, even with capacity restrictions in place. The year-to-date demand for training in 2021 is far exceeding the demand for the same period in 2020 with some training providers experiencing decades-high demand levels, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This means more new and returning riders will be on the road.

"Safety is important every day we ride, and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a great time to emphasize our safety messages to drivers and riders alike," said Erik Pritchard, president and CEO of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. "As we look forward to peak riding season, we welcome the opportunity to kick off a summer of safety in May. And remember, for those looking to get into riding, your best first ride is with a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, on the street or on the dirt."

Tips are available at msf-usa.org and forcardrivers.com.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation promotes safety through rider training and education, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. Standards established by the MSF have been recognized worldwide since 1973.