On Tuesday, we reported that an injured motorcyclist was transported by LifeFlight from an accident on Route 422 in Clearfield Township.

We don’t know the cause of the accident, but motorcyclists are aware of the many dangers.

Drivers should also be alert to the risks as well.

Motorcycle safety is always in the limelight, as it should be. Particularly when a celebration is coming to town.

With summer cruises and other events on the horizon in Butler County, now is the time to consider motorcycle awareness and safety. There are events all over the county that will feature cycles: so watch for them!

And before traveling to the event, either as a motorcyclist or other vehicle operator, know how to be safe when sharing the roads with bikers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle riders continue to be “over-represented” in fatal traffic crashes. In 2019 in the U.S., 5,014 motorcyclists died.

Of the motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2019, 30% were riding without valid motorcycle licenses.

Driving a car and riding a motorcycle require different skills and knowledge, according to the administration. Although motorcycle-licensing regulations vary, all states require a motorcycle license endorsement to supplement your automobile driver’s license. To receive the proper endorsement in most states, you’ll need to pass written and on-cycle skills tests administered by the state’s licensing agency. Pennsylvania requires you to have completed a course on motorcycle safety or submit written proof that you have passed the PennDOT motorcycle road skills test.

Either way, completing a motorcycle rider education course is a good way to ensure you have the correct instruction and experience it takes to ride a motorcycle. Contact the state motor vehicle administration to find a motorcycle rider-training course near you.

To keep everyone safe, the administration urges drivers and motorcyclists to share the road and be alert. Motorcyclists need to make themselves visible, to use department of transportation-compliant motorcycle helmets and to always ride sober.

Have fun, but be safe on the roads.

— AA