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By May, most who own motorcycles have taken them out of storage and probably out on the road at least once for the year, even this far north.
With that and national Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May in mind, traffic safety officials in Wisconsin ask that all motor vehicle operators share the road, be alert and help keep everyone safe.
Even with the pandemic, motorcycle fatalities in Wisconsin increased 40% in 2020 over the previous five-year average, with 2,095 motorcycle crashes, 1,788 motorcyclists injured and 112 motorcycle fatalities, Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2020 preliminary data showed.
As warm weather returns, more motorcyclists will be on Wisconsin roads. "Drivers must be in the habit of looking for motorcyclists," Wisconsin State Patrol Captain Ryan Chaffee said, "and motorcyclists should watch for other vehicles and get properly trained and licensed. Together we can save lives."
Motorcycle crashes often occur when a car or truck driver changes lanes, turns left or pulls out in front of a motorcycle. Motorcycles are smaller and more difficult to see, especially when in a motorist's blind spot. Failure to yield the right of way to another vehicle can result in a $175 citation, but penalties are much more severe if the violation results in someone getting injured or killed.
Motorcyclists can do their part by getting properly licensed, wearing visible and protective equipment and carefully scanning ahead for potential hazards such as gravel, debris or wildlife in the roadway.
Motorcyclists have two options to get the required Class M license: pass a motorcycle driving skills test after making an appointment at a Division of Motor Vehicles service center or successfully complete a WisDOT-approved rider education course. Motorcyclists who successfully complete an approved safety course earn a skills test waiver used to obtain their Class M license.
Even experienced motorcyclists can benefit from a refresher course on safety. As a group, the motorcycling community is aging, with the average age of those involved in a fatal crash increased from 30 years old in 1992 to 45 in 2019.
"Whether a person is brand new to motorcycling or a returning rider, a safety course is a wise investment," Chaffee said. "Safety along our roadways requires all drivers to share the road, watch their speed, eliminate distractions and be alert."