[cycleworld.com] - MSF Launches #SeeMotorcycles Awareness Campaign

[Ninjette Newsbot]

MSF has launched the #SeeMotorcycles campaign to double down on rider awareness as gas prices soar and more bikes are sold in America.

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May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and the MSF is asking drivers to look twice in its new #SeeMotorcycles safety campaign. (MSF/)For many motorcyclists around the country, the official riding season begins in May. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has therefore designated May as Motorcycle Awareness Month.

Due to higher gas prices and two consecutive years of strong motorcycle sales, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation expects to see more riders on the road in 2022, and wants motorists to see them in turn. This prompted the MSF to double down on its motorcycle awareness campaign; the California organization has launched #SeeMotorcycles for May. The goal is to increase driver awareness of motorcyclists on the road while encouraging riders to improve their riding skills.

“May has been the traditional start of the riding season for many across the country because the weather is getting warmer and the days longer,” said Erik Pritchard, president and CEO of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. “That’s why it’s a great time to remind drivers to actively look out for motorcyclists, and for riders who are taking their bikes out of hibernation to do a thorough pre-ride inspection. It’s also a good idea to take time to refresh your riding skills, ideally with a safety course.”

A large portion of the MSF’s efforts to increase motorcycle safety in 2022 is to encourage the proactive efforts of car and truck drivers.

“We encourage drivers to use their turn signals, keep speeds down, and be vigilant when driving, especially when changing lanes,” Pritchard said. “Please remember to #SeeMotorcycles.”

An impressive 57 percent of motorcycle owners participating in a recent Motorcycle Industry Council survey say they’ll ride more this year, largely due to rising fuel prices. The stats are interesting: 69 percent will use motorcycles for commuting, 69 percent for day trips, and 50 percent for errands and shopping.

Besides the economic impact of fuel prices, motorcycle sales have increased since the pandemic began. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council Retail Sales Reporting System, which gathers new retail sales data from 14 leading manufacturers and distributors in the US, motorcycle and scooter sales rose 14.2 percent in 2021 over 2020. Since 2019, sales have been up nearly 22 percent.

“These are all indicators that more people will be out riding this year, so it’s the responsibility of all road users to look out for one another,” said MSF RiderCoach Armene Piper, owner of Clutch Motorcycle School in Loveland, Colorado. “Riding a motorcycle is such a fun way to get around. But a rider’s number one priority should be safety. That means following the rules of the road, wearing safety gear each and every time they ride, and using smart street strategies.”

“Demand for rider training is also robust,” Pritchard said. “The Motorcycle Safety Foundation saw an estimated 48 percent increase in enrollment in 2021 over 2020, and early data from 2022 indicates a continuing trend.”

Rider and driver safety tips are available at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s websites: msf-usa.org and forcardrivers.com. Users can also test their perception and knowledge with timed challenges and quizzes.