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Motorcycle rallies draw attention to safety

A public awareness campaign along with motorcycle safety rallies across the state are planned as ITD joins with highway safety and law enforcement agencies in proclaiming May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Throughout the month, motorists will be reminded to “Share the Road” with motorcycles and to be extra alert when driving to help keep motorcycle riders safe.

As part of the effort, the Office of Highway Operations and Safety and the Skills Training Advantage for Riders (STAR) program have partnered to create and air a public service announcement, beginning Monday (April 30), reminding motorists to watch out for motorcycles and share the road.

In addition to the public awareness campaign, several motorcycle safety awareness rallies have been planned for Saturday (May 5).

In Boise, a pre-ride rally will begin at 11 a.m. at Sandy Point Park, followed by a motorcycle parade to the MK Plaza at 1 p.m. The Christian Motorcycle Association will host a barbecue following the motorcycle parade. For more information about the Boise ride call Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety members Chuc Coulter at (208) 345-6323 or Justin Crawford at (208) 863-4280.

A pre-ride rally in Idaho Falls will begin at 10 a.m. at Bonneville High School, followed by a group ride to Freeman Park at 11:30 a.m. A post-ride rally and barbecue will be held at Freeman Park. Cost for the barbecue is $6 per person. For more information about the Idaho Falls ride, call Cinda Hammond with ICMS at (208) 522-8040 or e-mail momnpop@srv.net .

Sponsored by American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E.), a northern Idaho pre-ride rally begins at 10 a.m. at Kootenai County Courthouse in Coeur d’Alene. A motorcycle parade begins at 11 a.m. and travels to the Northwest Classic’s Bike Show and Swap Meet. For more information contact Norman at (208) 582-2262 or Moose at (208) 245-2320.

With motorcyclist deaths from traffic crashes rising each of the last eight years, motorcycle riders now account for one out of every 10 U.S. highway fatalities.

In Idaho, 625 motorcyclists were involved in collisions during 2005 and 87.2 percent received some degree of injury. Of the 26 motorcyclists killed in 2005, 58 percent were 35 years old or older.

Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in the event of a crash. Research shows that nearly 80 percent of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a rider, while only 20 percent of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in their vehicle.

Motorcyclists also are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed during a quick look because of their smaller size.