Motorcycle Safety Tips

With top speeds approaching 200 mph, high-performance motorcycles zooming past cars have become a regular sight on highways, and to police and rescue crews.

“We don’t chase them, frankly, because we can’t catch them,” Police Chief William McMahon said.

“That’s something we struggle with,” McMahon told a group of residents at the Citizens Advisory Council meeting last week.

Tell us in comments: What do you think should be done to increase motorcycle safety?

On May 21, 45-year-old when his motorcycle went off the road in Marriottsville and on May 30, 25-year-old when his motorcycle collided with the car in front of him in Ellicott City.

Just last Sunday, another motorcycle driver was taken to University of Maryland Shock Trauma after .

When thinking about motorcycle safety, McMahon said that one of his go-to sources is Bob Henig, owner of Bob’s BMWs in Jessup.

“ATGATT–All the gear all the time!” says Henig on his blog. “If you’re going to ride, you must be prepared for anything and that includes the possibility of accidents. All it takes is one time not wearing quality gear to learn the importance of ATGATT…if you’re that lucky.”

There are also links to safety courses in Howard County and around the state on his blog.

For tips on how to be safe on a motorcycle, and how to safely share the road with them, visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, or read these 10 tips from the Maryland MVA.