Bikers urge motorist awareness during riding season
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:49 am
Bikers urge motorist awareness during riding season
By MELISSA DOMSIC The State News
The ice has melted, the grass is green and Michigan's motorcyclists are revving up and riding their bikes out of hibernation.
More than 30 motorcyclists and about 20 other Michigan residents gathered behind the Capitol on Thursday to celebrate May as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month."
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and some of the state's top trainers spoke about the importance of all drivers working together to keep each other safe. Nearby, members of MSU's Pylon Raiders Precision Riding Team showed off their riding skills.
Motorcycle safety awareness means reminding drivers of cars and trucks that motorcyclists are out there and informing motorcyclists they need to have an endorsement in order to drive one in Michigan, Land said.
"A lot of people unfortunately think, 'Oh, I bought a motorcycle, I'll just go riding,'" she said.
Motorcyclists must pass safety and skills tests to get an endorsement on their license.
There were more than 4,500 motorcycle registrations in Ingham County as of February, and about 210,000 statewide. Nearly 490,000 people have a motorcycle endorsement on their license, but don't necessarily have a motorcycle registered.
Tim Simmerman, an Eaton Rapids resident who has been riding for 53 years, drives a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle and tours with the Gold Wing Touring Association.
"It's all about the riding and camaraderie," Simmerman said. "You'll see two motorcyclists meet on the road, and you'll almost invariably see them wave at each other."
Four members of MSU's Pylon Raiders maneuvered their bikes around sharp turns on the sidewalk behind the Capitol.
The eight-member team is based out of the MSU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering's Highway Traffic Safety Programs and trains police from Michigan and around the country, as well as offers three different civilian training programs.
Drivers, especially non-motocyclists, need to be more aware of their surroundings, said Doug Wolfe, head instructor for the MSU police training program.
"They have their mind everywhere but where it's supposed to be - on driving," Wolfe said.
Frank Calzaretta, program manager and motorcycle safety instructor for Biker Bob's Motown Harley-Davidson in Taylor also stressed that it's vital that drivers of all vehicles are cautionary so everyone can have a safe motorcycle season.
"We need for the drivers to understand that the roadway is equally shared by all vehicles - whether it be a two-wheeler, four, or 18-wheeler," Calzaretta said. "Drivers need to look, observe and expect to see motorcycles on the roadway."
By MELISSA DOMSIC The State News
The ice has melted, the grass is green and Michigan's motorcyclists are revving up and riding their bikes out of hibernation.
More than 30 motorcyclists and about 20 other Michigan residents gathered behind the Capitol on Thursday to celebrate May as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month."
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and some of the state's top trainers spoke about the importance of all drivers working together to keep each other safe. Nearby, members of MSU's Pylon Raiders Precision Riding Team showed off their riding skills.
Motorcycle safety awareness means reminding drivers of cars and trucks that motorcyclists are out there and informing motorcyclists they need to have an endorsement in order to drive one in Michigan, Land said.
"A lot of people unfortunately think, 'Oh, I bought a motorcycle, I'll just go riding,'" she said.
Motorcyclists must pass safety and skills tests to get an endorsement on their license.
There were more than 4,500 motorcycle registrations in Ingham County as of February, and about 210,000 statewide. Nearly 490,000 people have a motorcycle endorsement on their license, but don't necessarily have a motorcycle registered.
Tim Simmerman, an Eaton Rapids resident who has been riding for 53 years, drives a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle and tours with the Gold Wing Touring Association.
"It's all about the riding and camaraderie," Simmerman said. "You'll see two motorcyclists meet on the road, and you'll almost invariably see them wave at each other."
Four members of MSU's Pylon Raiders maneuvered their bikes around sharp turns on the sidewalk behind the Capitol.
The eight-member team is based out of the MSU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering's Highway Traffic Safety Programs and trains police from Michigan and around the country, as well as offers three different civilian training programs.
Drivers, especially non-motocyclists, need to be more aware of their surroundings, said Doug Wolfe, head instructor for the MSU police training program.
"They have their mind everywhere but where it's supposed to be - on driving," Wolfe said.
Frank Calzaretta, program manager and motorcycle safety instructor for Biker Bob's Motown Harley-Davidson in Taylor also stressed that it's vital that drivers of all vehicles are cautionary so everyone can have a safe motorcycle season.
"We need for the drivers to understand that the roadway is equally shared by all vehicles - whether it be a two-wheeler, four, or 18-wheeler," Calzaretta said. "Drivers need to look, observe and expect to see motorcycles on the roadway."