With the arrival of warmer weather and clearer skies, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) proudly recognizes May as National Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety Awareness Month. This month, ALEA is dedicated to promoting safety measures and increasing public awareness about the importance of sharing the road responsibly.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor stated, “Every year, Alabama's roads welcome an increasing number of bicyclists and motorcyclists, enhancing the need for motorists to operate their vehicles with a heightened road-safety mindset. Motorcycles and bicycles are smaller and can be harder to see than other vehicles and have very different capabilities and vulnerabilities. It’s equally important that bicyclists and motorcyclists recognize they are less visible and must be extremely vigilant, especially during low light hours. We encourage everyone using Alabama’s roadways to maintain a high level of awareness and respect for one another, so we all make it home safely.”
ALEA kicked off National Bicycle and Motorcycle Awareness Month at the recent Bo Bikes Bama event in Auburn. Troopers assigned to the Highway Patrol Division joined other dedicated motor officers from the Auburn Police Department to ensure the roads were safe and secure for all participants. Throughout the month of May, ALEA will continue to conduct various educational initiatives and activities aimed at reinforcing safe driving habits and reducing the number of accidents involving motorcyclists and bicyclists.
"We all have a role to play in ensuring our roads are safe," emphasized Colonel Archer, Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS). "This month, we aim to foster a safer environment for all road users by emphasizing respect and caution on our roads. We encourage all Alabamians to be more aware of their surroundings and to acknowledge the presence of motorcyclists, bicyclists and even pedestrians. By buckling up, putting down the phone, and allowing extra following distance, we can all make a difference."
To ensure everyone's safety, ALEA highlights several important tips for motorists, motorcyclists, and bicyclists during the “Share the Road 24” Campaign:
**For Motorists: **
•Always check mirrors and blind spots for motorcyclists and bicyclists before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.
•Provide ample following distance when behind motorcycles and bicycles to ensure you can react if they stop suddenly.
•Be particularly cautious at intersections, a common site for vehicle and motorcycle/bicycle collisions.
•Be patient when traveling behind a bicyclist and give them space when passing. Alabama law requires motorists to allow a minimum of three feet of clearance between their vehicle and the bicycle they are passing on the road.
**For Motorcyclists and Bicyclists: **
•Always wear appropriate safety gear, including helmets that meet the U.S. Department of Transportation standards.
•Use turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if you think no one will see it.
•Remain visible at all times by wearing reflective clothing and keeping headlights on in low visibility conditions.
•Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
•Yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
For more information on motorcycle safety, visit NHTSA.gov/Motorcycles. For additional statistics, please visit https://cdan.dot.gov/ and search “motorcycle” under Crash Data Publications.
