May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee are reminding drivers to be aware that there will be more motorcyclists sharing the road with them than ever before.
“As the weather warms, we’re seeing more and more motorcyclists on the roads throughout our great state, and sadly, we’re also seeing more crashes between motorcycles and other vehicles, especially at intersections,” New York State DMV Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt said in a press release.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is for drivers and riders to slow down and to be aware of other vehicles on the road. I urge everyone, no matter what you’re driving, to look twice before turning or switching lanes. This is especially important when making a left turn, which is when most crashes occur.”
Between 2020 and 2025, motorcycle crashes in New York increased by 31%, according to data from the Institute from Traffic Safety Management and Research. Riding at high speeds continues to be the number one contributing factor.
An overwhelming majority, 92%, involve male riders. And, while representing only 3.5% of all registered vehicles in the U.S. in 2024, motorcycle crash fatalities accounted for 16% of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As part of the awareness month, GTSC and the New York State Department of Health have launched campaigns to get the message out to “Ride Safe New York.”
The campaigns, targeting men from 21 to 40, who have been shown to be most likely to be involved in a motorcycle crash, include social media posts, streaming video and audio ads, as well as billboards and placements at bus shelters, gas stations and convenience stores in an effort to reach riders of all levels of experience, but particularly younger riders.
These campaigns will continue into August.
The GTSC will also once again sponsor the annual Americade motorcycle festival, the largest multi-brand motorcycle touring rally in the country, in Lake George this Wednesday through Saturday.
During the festival, GTSC will sponsor the popular Slow Drive competition and will share important safety information with riders and other drivers.
For more information and to register, visit americade.com.
TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS
— Understand your motorcycle’s capabilities and limits, including how it handles, stops and responds.
— Check the weather in all the locations you plan to ride.
— Perform a pre-ride safety check. Ensure your lights and horn are working and both mirrors are adjusted. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have legal tread depth. Good traction is a key component to safe handling and braking.
— Always wear a DOT-approved helmet and eye protection. “Novelty helmets” offer little protection and are illegal to wear on New York roads.
— Always wear high-quality riding gear designed to protect you during a fall.
— Wear high-visibility garments with reflective features and accessories to boost your visibility to other drivers.
— Ride defensively and allow adequate space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Signal when you turn with your directional lights or hand signals. Flashing your brake light periodically before you stop will alert drivers behind you to be cautious.
— Maintain a high level of awareness by driving sober. If you are tired, take a break to re-energize and boost your concentration.
— Turn left with caution. If you are preparing to cross traffic or turn left, take a second look to make sure it is safe to proceed.
TIPS FOR DRIVERS
— Be aware of motorcycles sharing our roadways during all seasons, but particularly during the spring and summer when riding is most popular. Allow for adequate space in front of, next to and behind motorcyclists.
— Yield to motorcycle. Don’t make a rash decision and turn quickly in front of an on-coming bike. It may be traveling faster than it appears. Failure of a motorist to yield to a motorcycle remains the leading contributing factor in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes.
— Check your mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes. Also, when negotiating busy intersections, look twice for motorcycles before proceeding.
— Ensure your vehicle is in safe operating condition and safety equipment is properly adjusted. Observe and obey all traffic laws, signs and signals.
— Never drive distracted. Don’t let cell phones and other activities distract you from your core mission, driving safely.
— Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs and discourage others from doing so.