More and more motorcycles are on the road.
This weekend’s warm weather will likely attract even more motorcyclists. Some will be out riding for enjoyment or part of an event such as Rolling Thunder, which brings 100,000 motorcyclists from around the nation to Washington to honor fallen veterans for Memorial Day.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is promoting “Save a Life, Look Twice for Motorcycles” as the theme this year.
Each year, according to the MVA, 60 motorcyclists die on Maryland roads. An additional 1,700 riders and passengers are injured each year, the MVA reported.
Nationwide, 4,500 motorcyclists died in 2011, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, a nonprofit group that works with highway offices around the U.S. to establish safety policies.
A look at the statistics
According to the MVA, 64 people died in motorcycle crashes in 2011 in the state, down from 72 in 2010. There were 6,753 accidents that left riders or passengers injured last year. That is up from 1,304 in 2010.
In Frederick County, there were 99 motorcycle crashes last year, with six fatalities. That is down from 11 fatal accidents in 2010.
The MVA reported that most crashes, including fatal ones, happen on weekends, and primarily between 1 and 7 p.m.
The time of year can also vary. Last year, most accidents were in the June-July period, but in 2010, they were in the April- May period.
Men remain the primary riders, the MVA reported. In 2011, 97.5 percent of motorcycle fatalities were male, and 90 percent of injured riders or passengers were also male. The typical age range in overall crashes is 21 to 24, but a high number of riders are 40 to 49. Of the fatal accidents, the typical age was 21 to 45, especially in the 25-to-39 age range, the MVA reported.
Learning to ride safely
Harley-Davidson of Frederick offers two programs for riders: the New Rider Course and the Skilled Rider Course.
The basic course, presented twice a week, is booked through July, said Missy Morrison, rider services manager at the dealership on Urbana Pike.
The program costs $325 and takes riders through a three- or four-day period. Participants learn how to handle a motorcycle, how to ride in all types of traffic, and the importance of helmets and eye protection.
If they finish the class and receive the instructors’ approval, the graduates get a certificate they take to the MVA and receive their motorcycle license.
The skilled course is for experienced riders who want to hone their skills, Morrison said.
The maximum for the class is 10, Morrison said, with two instructors. The students learn on a course beside the dealership.
Last year, 415 completed the class, Morrison said, with 180 completing the class from March through this week.
Riders of all types
Heather Bailey, marketing director at Harley-Davidson of Frederick, said sales so far are good. Without revealing any sales numbers, she said the warmer winter and fluctuating gas prices have helped.
The dealership has a collision repair department, but that hasn’t been busy so far this year.
“That is the part of our business we don’t mind seeing down,” Bailey said.
“If they sign up for the course, they are taking the initiative to do it right, to ride safely,” Morrison said.
Satisfied graduates
Mark Malatt said he has been riding dirt bikes for 10 years.
“But it is a lot different braking on the road,” Malatt said. “I would highly recommend the class.”
Other participants had a similar reaction.
Randy Wright said he has been riding for three years but was “self-trained.” He decided to take the course to “do it right.”
Clarksburg resident Kimberly Ramsumair said the class was a birthday present to herself.
“I’ve watched people ride. Had friends that rode motorcycles, decided I wanted to do it,” Ramsumair said.
The class was done professionally while allowing students to feel comfortable, Ramsumair said. “They are great teachers.”
