- Massachusetts Department of Transportation
BOSTON — It’s May! The long-awaited springtime weather coincides with Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
As the weather warms up, more motorcycles are back on our roadways. Our roads are shared spaces, and every driver plays a role in keeping motorcyclists safe. Motorcyclists face unique risks.
A motorcyclist is 28 times more likely than a passenger car occupant to die in a crash and five times more likely to be injured, based on vehicle miles traveled in 2023.
Riding a motorcycle isn’t the same as driving a car. It takes different skills, training, and awareness.
Before you ride, make sure you’re properly licensed. Massachusetts requires a Class M driver’s license to operate a motorcycle. Even for a short ride. Don’t skip the steps. Don’t skip the training. In most fatal crashes, riders did not have a valid motorcycle license.
Just like you’d have your child wear a helmet riding their bike, never ride a motorcycle without one. In a serious crash, your helmet is your best protection against traumatic brain injury.
No helmet. No ride. No exceptions.
Arms and legs should always be fully covered. Protective gear can reduce injuries in a crash and help protect you from road rash and debris. Ride responsibly by obeying traffic laws, riding with the flow of traffic, signaling and checking your mirrors before changing lanes, and staying alert at intersections. Make yourself visible at all times by using your headlights and reflective gear and always ride defensively.
Smart riding isn’t just about skill; it’s about making safe choices every time you get on your bike.
Learn more at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) website. MREP provides quality rider education and training for novice and experienced motorcycle riders. The program is designed to assist riders of all levels and to promote the safe operation of motorcycles.
The Mapfre Insurance-sponsored MassDOT Highway Assistance Program is on patrol to help all motorists, including motorcyclists, on the highways. Patrol operators monitor some of the state’s busiest highways around Metro Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Cape Cod (seasonal). The Highway Assistance Patrol covers 13 major state roadways and interstates, the Emergency Service Patrol covers the Mass Pike (I-90) from New York to Boston and the Incident Response Operators cover the Metropolitan Highway System and tunnels. The Highway Assistance Patrol is in service Monday–Friday between 6 a.m.–10 a.m. and 3 p.m.–7 p.m. During holidays, there are extended routes in heavy-traffic areas. On I-90, and in Boston’s tunnel system, assistance is provided 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
Written by,
Your friends at Mapfre Insurance
