Tips for Motorcycle Safety Month
CHICORA — You may have seen signs on neighbors’ lawns which read “WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES.” Those are distributed by ABATE, the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education, as part of their “Look Twice, Save a Life” campaign.
One of those signs is in the lawn of Chicora native David Pistorius. Few people in Butler County know more about motorcycle safety than him, as he runs the Motorcycle Safety Center in both Saxonburg and Clarion. These are sites sanctioned by the state Department of Transportation where motorcycle riders can earn their licenses.
“It starts at the very basic, showing you all the controls,” said Pistorius. “Then we just gradually keep moving up to evasive maneuvers. And at the end of the two-day course, we give you a skills evaluation. If you're competent, we stamp your permit and you’re licensed to ride in Pennsylvania.”
May is Motorcycle Safety Month, when drivers of all vehicles — not just motorcycles — are reminded to ensure the safety of those riding on two wheels.
This comes on the heels of two fatal motorcycle collisions in Butler County on Sunday, April 28.
One occurred on Route 422 in Butler Township, when a rider clipped a vehicle and crashed into a guard rail. Another occurred in Forward Township, when a rider was thrown from his bike after a rear-end collision with another vehicle.
According to Pistorius, the risk of ending up in a fatal collision is significantly reduced for riders who routinely engage in refresher training. In Pennsylvania, this training is free to in-state license-holders.
“Your training significantly reduces your chances of being involved in an collision,” Pistorius said. “It is strongly recommended that you keep going back once a year, or so, for training in an updated course on doing some of these lifesaving skills with a certified course through the state.”
As of 2023, according to PennDOT, there are 794,163 licensed motorcyclists in Pennsylvania, and 354,866 registered motorcycles.
According to PennDOT, there were 3,475 motorcycles involved in collisions in Pennsylvania in 2022, the latest year for which statistics are available. There were also 217 fatalities as a result of motorcycle collisions that year.
Despite this, Pistorius says there are plenty of reasons people opt to ride a motorcycle over other types of vehicle.
“They’re very fuel-efficient. Insurance is cheaper usually, depending on how big of a bike you have,” Pistorius said. “Some people do it on the weekends just to get from point A to point B, have a good time or go sightseeing. There's a variety of reasons.”
Much of the onus of protecting motorcyclists is on those who drive other vehicles. The most frequent hazard to motorcyclists is larger vehicles on the road.
At intersections, collisions commonly happen when a vehicle turns into the path of a motorcycle without looking. In fact, according to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, 42% of fatal motorcycle collisions happen at intersections.
“I might be following a large truck, so I'm hidden going through an intersection,” Pistorius said. “You see the big truck, and when that passes you make your turn, and there I am. That's how a lot of mishaps happen.”
Distracted driving also poses as much danger to motorcyclists as it does to the drivers of those vehicles — perhaps even more so, as motorcyclists can more easily blend into the background.
“Motorcycles blend in with their surroundings,” Pistorius said. “Please keep an eye out for them.”
Drivers of any non-motorcycle vehicle — even larger trucks — can alleviate some of the danger by making sure their mirrors are set correctly to eliminate blind spots.
Of course, motorcyclists must take measures to protect themselves, too. And that starts with wearing the right equipment.
“DOT helmet, sturdy jacket, sturdy pants, over-the-ankle boots, full-fingered gloves and eye protection,” Pistorius said. “That’ll grant you protection in case you fall over. It significantly reduces your chance of being fatally injured.”
Vehicles aren’t the only danger to motorcyclists. Another, lesser-known one is wet grass clippings from freshly cut lawns, which is especially prevalent in neighborhoods during the middle of the year.
“I don't know how many yards I passed today coming home from work that are mowing their grass and putting it out,” Pistorius said. “When it’s damp, that’s like ice for us.”
