Posted Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety Awareness

From left: Garry Shivley, Bev Shivley, Mayor Strick, Rob Blackham, Dane Bailey, Curt Richards and Dean Teusch.

HUNTINGTON – Motorcycles and bicycles are a popular form of transportation and recreation for many in our community, and the City of Huntington encourages all motorists and riders to think safety first as warmer springtime weather draws riders back out onto the road.

To raise awareness and promote safety, the City of Huntington issued a proclamation Tuesday afternoon declaring May as Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety Awareness Month in Huntington. Mayor Richard Strick read and signed the proclamation during a ceremony in Council Chambers before presenting copies to Bev Shivley, a local motorcycle enthusiast, and Rob Blackham, an avid bicyclist and Huntington Area Recreational Trails Association board member.

“Through the winter months motorists have become unaccustomed to looking for motorcycles and bicycles,” said Bev Shivley, a Huntington resident and, along with her husband Garry, member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association’s Fort Wayne chapter. “My goal is to bring attention that with the nicer weather, both motorcycles and bicycles are out.”

Some of the hazards Shivley and Blackham have experienced while riding –with and without a motor – include other drivers failing to signal when turning or changing lanes or impatiently passing cyclists without leaving enough room.

“It’s not like the road is there just for you,” Blackham said. “Whether it’s somebody on a bike or a parent pushing their toddler in a stroller because there isn’t a sidewalk, please slow down and get over.”

And, despite state hands-free driving laws, Shivley still sees too many people behind the wheel using handheld devices or texting while driving.

“It takes only a second to veer into another lane or cross the center line,” Shivley said.

Beyond steps drivers can take on the road, Shivley adds that something everyone can do is to make sure grass clippings don’t get blown into the street when mowing your yard. This can create a real slip hazard, she said, especially on curves.

It might seem like common sense, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website nhtsa.gov emphasizes that in a collision of a car, truck or SUV with a motorcycle or bicycle, it is people in the latter group who are far more likely to be injured. Mile per mile, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to be killed in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants and four times more likely to be injured.

Nationally, 5,014 motorcyclists and 846 cyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2019, according to U.S. Department of Transportation research.

All drivers, motorcyclists and bicyclists share responsibility for promoting and participating in safe driving and riding behaviors. The NHTSA rule of thumb is this: A majority of crashes can be avoided if motorists, motorcyclists and cyclists follow the rules of the road and watch out for each other.

Below are safety tips that have been adapted from the NHTSA website.

Driver Awareness

Share the road. Motorcyclists and bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as anyone else operating a vehicle. “By raising motorists’ awareness, both drivers and riders will be safer sharing the road,” the NHTSA website says. Follow traffic rules. Be alert and aware, watch for motorcycles and bicycles, be patient and slow down when needed, and keep a safe following or passing distance. Pass a bicyclist as you would any other vehicle – only when it’s safe to move into another lane.

Avoid distractions. Smartphones, eating, loud music and lots of other scenarios can distract drivers from what’s most important. And, it goes without saying, don’t get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Motorcyclist Responsibilities

Road ready. Indiana and all other states require a motorcycle license endorsement on your driver’s license, and you’ll need to pass written and practical tests administered by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles to get one. Approved Ride Safe Indiana courses provide classroom instruction and practical riding exercises for beginners and advanced riders. Learn more at www.in.gov/rsi/motorcycle-endorsement.

Before every ride, check your motorcycle’s tire pressure and tread depth, hand and foot brakes, headlights and signal indicators, and fluid levels. Any cargo should be secured and balanced. A passenger should mount the motorcycle after the engine has been started and sit as far forward as possible.

On the road. A U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmet is your best chance to prevent a traumatic head or brain injury in the event of a serious crash. (Look for the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet.) Leather or heavy denim riding gear that completely covers your arms and legs is recommended. Wear brightly colored clothing with reflective material to make you more visible to drivers.

Ride responsibly. Don’t take risks. Obey all traffic lights, signs, speed limits and lane markings. Check behind you and signal before changing lanes. Alcohol and drugs, including some prescribed medications, can impair your judgment, coordination and balance.

Bicyclist Responsibilities

Helmets. A well-fitted helmet is the best way to protect yourself from head and brain injuries in a fall or crash. The NHTSA recommends following the sizing and fitting guidelines at helmets.org.

Decrease your risk. Most crashes involving bicycles and vehicles occur between 6 and 9 p.m. Wear bright, reflective clothing and equip your bicycle with lights or reflectors to increase your visibility. Flashing lights available at most cycling retailers increase your visibility at all times of day, not just during dusk or nightfall.

Ride responsibly. Indiana and all other states require bicyclists to follow the same rules and responsibilities of all other motorists. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Be prepared. You’ve got your helmet, reflective clothing and lights/reflectors mounted on your bike. But, a bike that’s too large or small for you is harder to control. Find a bike that’s the right size for you and maintain its various parts and components such as the tires and brakes. Plan your route wisely – the safest route may be a road with less traffic and slower speeds.

Ride defensively. Be alert to the traffic and road conditions around you to anticipate what others sharing the road may do next. Ride in the same direction as traffic and obey streets signs, signals and road markings just like a car. Don’t text, listen to music or use a device that pulls your attention away from the road and traffic.

Proclamation

Click image to read the full proclamation.