May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

The AMA asks motorists to be especially aware of conditions around them

The American Motorcyclist Association reminds motorists throughout the nation that May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Launched by the AMA in the early 1980s, the campaign and its message have been adopted by many AMA-sanctioned clubs, state motorcycle-rights organizations, the motorcycle industry and government entities.

“For almost 40 years, the AMA has promoted motorcycle awareness in May because, as the weather warms in large parts of the country, riders take to the road in increasing numbers to enjoy the thrill of riding, the practicality of commuting and the beauty of our natural surroundings,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman.

“We urge other road users to be alert to the presence of motorcycles on city, urban and rural streets and highways,” he said.

The AMA asks motorists to be especially aware of conditions around them, maintain a safe distance when following motorcycles, check their mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and pay particular attention when making left turns across traffic.

“The safety of motorcyclists is the AMA’s top priority and, increasingly, distracted driving and over-reliance on driver-assistance technology are worrisome,” Dingman said.

Each year, the AMA tracks bills in state legislatures across the country that address the issue of distracted driving. Examples of activities that take the driver’s focus off driving include talking or texting, eating and drinking, and adjusting entertainment or navigation system controls.

Driver-assistance technologies are appearing on many new cars and SUVs, such as adaptive cruise control, automated braking and lane-keeping assist. While these technologies promise to reduce crashes, drivers must not become complacent when these systems are engaged.

Congressional Motorcycle Caucuses raise motorcycle safety awareness

The AMA is pleased to report that members of the House and Senate Congressional Motorcycle Caucus — Reps. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), Congressman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.) — have introduced a bicameral resolution to designate May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

The April 30 joint release from the caucuses stated: “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month promotes rider safety, education, licensing, and awareness in order to decrease the number of crashes. Motorcycles help to reduce congestion, are fuel-efficient, and have little impact on transportation infrastructure. Motorcycle awareness is beneficial to everyone on the road.”

Motorcyclist Advisory Council bill introduced

Legislation reauthorizing the Motorcyclist Advisory Council, last co-chaired by AMA Director of Government Relations Michael Sayre, was introduced in the 117th Congress.

H.R. 2141, The Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization, is bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Don Young (R-Alaska), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), and Chris Pappas (D-N.H.). It seeks to reauthorize the MAC for six years and expand membership on the council to include more motorcyclist voices and transportation officials.

The MAC is the only official forum for the motorcycling community to have an open dialogue with the U.S. Department of Transportation to discuss concerns about infrastructure design, issues with intelligent transportation systems and other areas of safety affecting motorcyclists on the road.

Link: AMA

You May Also Like

MEMA Celebrates 120th Anniversary

MEMA said the milestone “underscores the association’s enduring legacy and its pivotal role in advancing the future of mobility and the interests of vehicle suppliers.”

MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association, announced its 120th anniversary, a milestone it said "underscores the association's enduring legacy and its pivotal role in advancing the future of mobility and the interests of vehicle suppliers."

MEMA was founded on March 2, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio, to represent the burgeoning automotive parts manufacturing industry. For the last 120 years, MEMA and its members have been at the forefront of advocacy, innovation and collaboration, the association said.

UniClutch Launches Clutch System in the United States

From Australian manufacturer Clutch Industries, UniClutch is a clutch system that delivers uncompromised performance.

MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Becomes UAF Gold Lifetime Trustee

The partnership with UAF is a commitment to the future of the automotive aftermarket, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers said.

Castrol Turns 125, Debuts New Market Strategy

As part of the new strategy, Castrol will explore opportunities in battery thermal management, digital and service solutions and data center immersion cooling.

FCS Introduces 18 New Numbers in February

The new release includes 4 shock absorbers and 14 suspension struts.

Other Posts

ADAS Module Programming

Reflashing and reprogramming is a necessary service for repairing vehicles.

Live Axle Wheel Bearing Service

Replacing rear wheel bearings on a live axle rear suspension requires a few extra steps when compared to a unitized bearing.

Threadlocking Compounds For Vehicle Corners

To get the most out of these “liquid” tools, you first need to know how they work.

Steering Angle Sensor Service

Ninety percent of the time when a steering angle sensor code is active, it means the sensor needs to be calibrated.