Riding Safe Together: Community Resources for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
With summer just around the corner, riding season is in full swing. Which is why May is the perfect time for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month—a month dedicated to rider safety, and a chance to spread awareness for responsible driving practices with fellow motorists on the road.
Why is this important? Motorcycles in the United States travel an estimated 22 million miles each year, without the benefit of seatbelts, airbags, or the safety of pillar frames to protect riders and passengers from side impacts or rollover injuries.
As a result, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that:
- 6,218 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2022, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities.
- 35% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2022 were speeding, compared to 22% of all passenger car drivers.
- Of the 2,254 motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2022, 42% were impaired by alcohol.
These are just a few of the unpleasant stats that plague riders, so preaching safety whenever possible is always a good idea. With that in mind, Cycle Trader is here with some community resources to help you enjoy riding more, get good advice when you need it, and help you stay safe and protected.
Check out these new and used trike motorcycles for sale online.
Safety Courses
If you’re just learning how to ride, we highly recommend you look for a basic motorcycle safety course. There are many organizations like community colleges that regularly provide courses, which you can normally find by doing a web search. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation also has a search feature that helps you locate when a course will be offered near you. You don’t even need to own a motorcycle to take the course.
For more experienced riders who don’t want the basics, there are plenty of advanced courses out there to help you improve various skills. They even have courses that are specific to dirt bike riding (among other classes) if you’re more interested in going off-road.
Motorcycle Clubs
Joining a riding or motorcycle club (MC) gives you the opportunity to bike with other like-minded people, as these groups regularly sponsor events and outings. What’s the difference? Riding clubs might focus primarily on the riding and social aspects while motorcycle clubs tend to lean more towards camaraderie and community, but it depends on the organization you join.
Either way, club members can learn a lot from each other, like getting advice on the best local repair or paint shops for bikes, best places to buy gear, maintenance tips, and even how to install upgrades on your bike. Plus, you get more tips on the best places to ride, great places to stay, and fun places to visit that tend to be more biker-friendly. Chances are, many of the people you’ll be riding with in a club have small businesses that cater to motorcycle enthusiasts, in one way or another.
You can do an online search for “motorcycle clubs near me” and see what you discover. You’ll find lots of national-based clubs that have local chapters, as well as Facebook groups that can let you know when events are happening close to home. If you want to join a more specific group, you might try something like “Harley Owners Group near me.”
Riding Gear
If you don’t want to join a club, but you still need a source for protective gear, there may be specialty shops in your area that cater to riders that you can find online. Some local dealerships may also have shops that offer branded gear, or you may find what you need at local sporting goods stores.
Insurance and Legal Representation
Hopefully, you’ll never need to rely on an insurance policy or an attorney, but in both cases, you’re best off looking for professional people who also ride to provide both insurance for your motorcycle and legal representation if you should ever be involved in an accident that was someone else’s fault.
Insurance agents who ride know all the special details you need to insure your bike, and they can provide you with advice on what you need versus what you might not. Attorneys who ride, especially those who specifically represent motorcycle riders, also have a more focused knowledge of laws that specifically apply to motorcyclist rights.
Find new and pre-owned standard motorcycles for sale online.
Buying and Selling
When you’re ready to hop on your first bike, or you want to sell your current motorcycle so you can ride something different, CycleTrader.com is your best resource. We offer thousands of listings from all over the country, from both dealerships and private sellers, but you can also use our search feature to find the bike you want within a certain distance. We’re your national and local resource for getting geared up!
Keep your eyes open out there and remember to practice safe motorcycling during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and whenever you set out and ride.
Barrett Baker
You might also like
