Northwest Cycle Report

AAA recently sent out a press release asking motorists and motorcyclists to take actions aimed at reducing the number of motorcyclist fatailities.

“AAA wants all motorists to be aware that tremendous growth in the popularity of motorcycling has added millions of new motorcycles and riders to our roadways,” said AAA President, Robert L. Darbelnet. “This means drivers need to be more aware than ever of how to share the road safely with motorcycles. And motorcyclists need to take every opportunity to increase their margin of traffic safety.

“If motorists will be more alert to motorcycles on the road and give them the time and room they need to safely maneuver in traffic, and motorcyclists will better protect themselves by wearing protective gear, clearly illuminating their rides and looking into new technologies such as motorcycles equipped with airbags, the road can be safer for all of us,” Darbelnet said.

AAA cites new safety technologies, such as the airbag that is no offerred as an option on Honda Gold Wings, as demonstrating that motorcycles can be made more safe.

In addition to suggesting safety classes and upgrading to a newer helmet that incorporates recent advances in construction, AAA also suggests making sure that all of the lights on your bike are in proper working order and that you consider adding additional marker lamps to increase visibility.

For the motorists, AAA offers the following:

“Motorists too, need to play a larger role in motorcycle safety,” Darbelnet said. Approximately 50 percent all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, according to AAA.

With the large numbers of motorcyclists on the road, car and truck drivers need to be more vigilant in checking for oncoming motorcycles as they prepare to make turns, cross intersections and change lanes. A motorcycle’s smaller profile can make it hard to see, especially at higher speeds, in dim light or at night.

Motorist [sic] should allow motorcycles more room to start, stop, or make turns. This means other motor vehicles should always give motorcycle riders plenty of room and respect their right to use the entire traffic lane. Because of the number of relatively inexperienced riders on the road, moving in too close can cause a rider to become unsettled and potentially lose control of their motorcycle. NHTSA recommends allowing a following distance of at least three to four seconds.