RALEIGH – “Safety on
two wheels” is the theme for the month of May, during which two different
two-wheeled forms of transportation – the bicycle and the motorcycle – are
taking center stage. May is officially known as both “National Bike Month” and
“Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.”
“As the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect time to remember the
importance of safety, whether on a bicycle or a motorcycle,” said
Transportation Secretary Tony Tata.
There are more than 194,000 motorcycles registered in North
Carolina. In 2012, there were 4,157
motorcycle crashes that resulted in 162 fatalities and 3,970 injuries.
Each year, more than 900 bicyclists are injured or killed by cars on
North Carolina streets.
NCDOT offers the following important safety tips to bicyclists,
motorcyclists and other drivers:
- Always wear a helmet. The law in
North Carolina requires children on bicycles under the age of 16 to wear a
helmet, and it also requires motorcyclists of all ages to wear a Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 helmet.
- Be visible at all times. This
includes wearing bright or reflective clothing.
- Share the road. Bicyclists are
considered vehicles in North Carolina and therefore have the same rights
and responsibilities as cars and trucks; and motorcyclists have the right
to a full lane.
- Stay alert. Be aware that bicycles
and motorcycles can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spot, therefore; take
an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic when changing lanes.
- Keep a safe distance. Allow plenty
of room for passing bicyclists, and plenty of following distance behind
- Be cautious. Be aware that turn
signals on a motorcycle are not self-canceling, thus some riders sometimes
forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.
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