With vaccinations increasing and quarantines easing up, traffic is returning to pre-pandemic levels. Now families are planning for summer road trips and interest in motorcycling — for commuting and recreation — is seeing strong growth. In an effort to reach as many drivers and riders as possible with the message that May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has teamed up with the Automobile Association of America (AAA) to get the word out.
“We are all one community on the road, and we need to look out for one another," explains AAA spokesman Jeff Spring. "During the pandemic, many of us drove far less than in a typical year, and as we return to the road, our driving skills may be a little rusty. AAA encourages everyone on the road to keep their speeds down, cut out distractions, use their signals early and often, and double- even triple-check for motorcyclists when changing lanes."
There are also more motorcyclists on the road to watch out for: sales were up 11.4% last year for new motorcycles and scooters. The trend continues in Q1 2021 with a year-over-year increase of more than 37.2% for motorcycles and scooters. Many training facilities across the country coached more riders in 2020 than in 2019, even with capacity restrictions in place. This means more new and returning riders will be on the road.
"Safety is important every day we ride, and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a great time to emphasize our safety messages to drivers and riders alike," notes MSF President and CEO Erik Pritchard. "As we look forward to peak riding season, we welcome the opportunity to kick off a summer of safety in May. And remember, for those looking to get into riding, your best first ride is with a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, on the street or on the dirt."
Tips are available at msf-usa.org and forcardrivers.com