Motorcycle Safety

With motorcycle use on the rise in Pennsylvania, PennDOT continues to focus on improving motorcycle safety. The number of registered motorcycles climbed to approximately 393,000 in 2009. Likewise, the number of licensed motorcyclists climbed to more than 828,000 last year.

LiveFreeRideAlive

PennDOT recently launched a comprehensive motorcycle safety campaign, Live Free Ride Alive, in efforts to reduce the number of motorcycle crashes and fatalities on Pennsylvania´s roadways. The campaign´s Web site, LiveFreeRideAlive, is an interactive Web site designed specifically for motorcyclists. The site contains important safety messages relating to getting properly licensed to ride a motorcycle, reducing aggressive driving behaviors by obeying the speed limit, avoiding drinking and riding and encouraging the use of wearing all protective riding gear. The Web site offers visitors the opportunity to take the Be One Less Pledge - to honor the fallen and keep those on two wheels on two wheels by pledging to be one less statistic - and the ability to post motorcycle messages and videos, sharing what they love or even fear about riding, or sharing a lesson or two they´ve learned on the road or about a time they crashed and lived to tell about it. If you ride, you´ve got a story. And, we want to hear it.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

Riders can improve their safety on the road by following some simple safety tips:

• Wear a U.S. DOT-approved helmet, face or eye protection and protective clothing.
• Know your motorcycle and conduct a pre-ride check.
• Be seen. Wear reflective clothing and put reflective tape on your protective riding gear and motorcycle.
• Use common sense by riding sober, obeying all speed limits and allowing enough time to react to dangerous situations.
• Practice safe riding techniques and know how to handle your motorcycle in adverse road and weather conditions. Road conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces that usually pose minor annoyances to motorists are in fact major hazards for motorcyclists.
• Consider attending free training via PennDOT´s Motorcycle Safety Program

Safety Tips for Motorists Sharing the Road with Motorcycles

• Look out for motorcyclists - be aware that motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections. Large vehicles can also block a motorcycle from a motorist´s view and a motorcycle can suddenly appear out of nowhere.
• Allow more following distance - leave at least four seconds when following a motorcycle.
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• Respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway. Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width as the motorcyclist needs the room to maneuver safely in all types of road conditions.

Pennsylvania Helmet Law

The law mandates the use of protective headgear unless the motorcyclist is at least 21 years of age and has been licensed to operate a motorcycle for not less than two full calendar years or has successfully completed a motorcycle safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. In addition, PA law mandates the use of eye-protective devices for all motorcyclists and their passengers unless operating a motorized pedalcycle or a three-wheeled motorcycle equipped with an enclosed cab.

If an individual has a motorcycle learner´s permit, a helmet must be worn regardless of age.

The passenger of a person exempt from wearing a helmet, can also go without a helmet if he or she is 21 years of age or older.

Motorcycle Safety Program

The safety program includes a basic rider and experienced rider course, which offer riders of all skill levels the opportunity to learn and apply basic motorcycle fundamentals to reduce the risk of otherwise avoidable crashes.

The basic course is 15 hours and includes five hours of in-class instruction and 10 hours of practical riding experience on a riding range under the watchful eyes of certified rider coaches. Motorcycles and helmets are available to students taking the course.

The experienced rider course is six hours and offers skilled riders the chance to refresh their safety knowledge and hone their skills on a riding range. Students taking the experienced rider course must provide their own motorcycle and helmet.

The courses are taught March through October at 70 sites across the commonwealth and are free to Pennsylvania residents. To enroll, individuals must have either a Class M (motorcycle) learner´s permit or license. Class M permit holders who successfully complete the program will be issued a Class M license.

Why you should get licensed:

• Operating a motorcycle safely on roadways requires a different knowledge and skills set than what´s needed for operation of a passenger vehicle.
• A motorcycle is different by design and maneuvers differently than a passenger vehicle. Hazardous road and weather conditions, such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces that usually pose minor annoyances to drivers of other vehicles are in fact major hazards for motorcyclists.
• Pennsylvania crash statistics show that inexperienced riders suffer more severe injuries than experienced riders.
• If you are caught riding a motorcycle without a motorcycle license, you run the risk of having to tow your motorcycle or leave it by the side of the road until you can get it towed.
• Properly licensed riders are safer riders because the goal of licensing is to ensure motorcyclists have the basic knowledge and skills needed to operate a motorcycle safely.