Alvin Bertram loves the feel of the open road, but one thing really irritates him when he rides his motorcycle.

“The thing that gets me worked-up the fastest is when motorists tailgate us,” said the owner of Fun Sports of Hutchinson.

Motorcyclists have good reason to be worried about tailgaters. They are more likely to become the victim of a rear-end collision if they have to brake quickly.

“The bottom line is we can stop in half the distance that a car can,” Mr. Bertram said. “Most drivers don’t understand how quickly motorcycles can stop.”

With rising numbers of motorcycles hitting the road, motorists need to be on the lookout. Because of rising gasoline prices, more motorists than ever are turning to 40- to 80-mpg motorcycles for their daily commute.

Motorcycle numbers rising
Minnesotans like Bertram now own 230,000 motorcycles — an increase of 89 percent during the past 10 years. That’s an all-time high. The number of mopeds in Minnesota is also rising, from 6,500 in 2002 to 10,726 in 2006, an increase of 65 percent.

Unfortunately, motorcycle crashes and fatalities also are on the rise. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says far too many of those are multi-vehicle crashes.

About half of all motorcycle crashes in Minnesota involve another vehicle, usually at an intersection, according to Office of Traffic Safety Director Cheri Martin. “If you plan to cross or turn left, look twice before you turn,” she said.

Looking twice is one of eight quick tips offered by the Department of Public Safety. The tips, in the box at right, are designed to make motorists more aware of motorcycles.

Riders need training, too
The department also wants motorcyclists to be prepared when they hit the road. Motorcycle skills get rusty during the off-season. Riders are advised to take safety training, wear protective gear and ride smart.

“The four most common factors in motorcycle crashes are speed, inexperience, inattention and alcohol. Those things are completely within control of the rider,” Ms. Martin said.

Motorcycle safety training is offered by the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center through October. Many classes are offered at Ridgewater College in Hutchinson. Some are two-day courses, and some are three-day weekend courses. To register, call (800) 722-1151, ext. 5213. Here’s the schedule:
June 6-8: Friday through Sunday
June 13-15: Friday through Sunday
June 16-17: Monday and Tuesday
July 18-20: Friday through Sunday
Aug. 8-10: Friday through Sunday
Aug. 15-17: Friday through Sunday
Sept. 13 and 14: Saturday and Sunday
Sept. 20 and 21: Saturday and Sunday
Oct. 4 and 5: Saturday and Sunday

To learn more or to find a training course, visit www.motorcyclesafety.org, or call (800) 407-6677.

Quick tips for seeing motorcyclists
1. When turning left: Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left at an intersection. If you plan to cross traffic or turn left, look twice for motorcycles before you turn.

2. Blind spots: Motorcycles are easily hidden in traffic. Always take a second look over your shoulder — don’t rely solely on your mirrors for information.

3. Weather: Rain and sun glare can make a motorcycle invisible. Take an extra moment to make sure the way is clear.

4. Signals: Use turn signals to indicate your next move. This allows the rider to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.

5. Larger vehicles: Cars and trucks can conceal a motorcycle traveling behind it. Take an extra moment after a larger vehicle passes before you begin your turn behind it.

6. Eye contact: Motorcyclists make eye contact often to feel confident that other drivers see them. Please give a nod back to acknowledge them.

7. Distance: Motorcyclists prefer to use a large space cushion, allowing them more time to react. Please do not cut in front of a motorcycle and eliminate the safe following distance.

8. Signals: Most motorcycle turn signals do not cancel automatically. If you see a cycle coming, and the signal is flashing, please wait a moment for the cycle to pass.

Editorials are written by Publisher Matt McMillan and Editor Doug Hanneman. They can be reached at mcmillan@hutchinsonleader.com, or hanneman@hutchinsonleader.com.