Along with warmer temps, the month of May brings more motorcycles on our roadways, making it a great time to celebrate Motorcycle Awareness Month and review motorcycle safety for all motorists. 

Motorcycle riders and other motorists are responsible for sharing the road safely. While motorcycles are about as likely as cars to be involved in crashes, motorcyclists are almost three times more likely to be injured and five times more likely to be killed in a crash. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported 68 motorcycle fatalities and 891 injury crashes in 2021. To date in 2022 there have been six motorcyclists killed and 65 crashes resulting in injuries in Minnesota.

Motor vehicle drivers should expect to see motorcycles at any time, keeping in mind a motorcycle’s headlight is on all the time. It is also important for drivers to check their mirrors and blind spots before merging or changing lanes.

Motorcyclists can help by making themselves as conspicuous as possible: not hiding in traffic, leaving a large space cushion and wearing brightly colored protective clothing. And, although it is not required by law, the EPPD encourages all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets.

If you ride a motorcycle and would like to learn more about safe motorcycle riding practices, consider taking a rider training course through the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center rider training program run by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Classes are offered throughout Minnesota, including Eden Prairie.