Almost every weekend this summer has brought an overwhelming number of motorcycle accident fatalities and injuries, so it is no wonder that motorcycle experts think that taking safety education courses could be the key to preventing accidents.

Since 2001, almost 80% of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in Massachusetts had no motorcycle education, the state Registry of Motor Vehicles reports. So far, the reigstry advises, but does not require, that motorcycle permit holders take a safety course. The number of students who take motorcycle safety courses declines while motorcycle crash reports rise, pointing that a lack of motorcycle education could be at the heart of the problem.

According to the RMV, 8,401 students were enrolled in the Mass. Rider Education Program in 2009, compared to 9,308 in 2008, while the number of fatal motorcycle crashes in Mass. rose from 42 in 2008 to 52 in 2009. So far this year, there have been 18 fatal motorcycle crashes.

We urge all prospective riders to take motorcycle safety education courses before they go out on the roads. Knowing the dangers on the road and the ways to improve their performance is half the battle, as the numbers clearly show.

If this is true then I need to share my love of motorcycling with my friends and family. I need to make this a regular part of my motorcycling lifestyle.

These are stressful times and motorcycling has been very fulfilling way to find peace and enjoyment. Doesn’t matter if I’m riding with the Harley guys, a riding club, or a few outlaw bikers, we all have a great time.

I’m sure some of my friends and family can benefit too. So, one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to encourage others to ride as much as possible. Here’s my plan.

• My friends who ride: In 2010, I’m going to organize a few mid-distance motorcycle rides in South Florida with some of my friends. Many of them ride infrequently but are great riders. They just don’t make time to ride as often as I do. Maybe they just need a little encouragement to enjoy riding like they used to.

• My friends who don’t ride: Over the past few years, I have gotten a few people into motorcycle riding safety courses and a few have gone on to buy used motorcycles. I will make a point to invite non-riders to the events I go to so they can start to understand the value of motorcycling as a hobby and lifestyle.

• My family: I’d love to get my older brother on a motorcycle. He needs a hobby and I think he’d look really cool on a big cruiser. My mother loves motorcycles and I plan on taking a nice long ride with her on her next visit to Florida. I want my nieces and nephews to gain an understanding and appreciation for motorcycles and motorcycle safety at a young age.

• My girlfriend: She is actually a very good rider but has not been riding consistently for about a year. I need to get out and help her practice to regain the confidence she had a when she first started riding. She’ll make a great riding partner when she is ready.

2010 is my year to share the joy of the biker lifestyle. How about you?

Common sense prevails when it comes to safety for bikers. But for some reason, bikers (myself included) are still not doing all the things we need to do to ride safely.

As 2010 approaches, here are a few things that all bikers need to lay to rest in 2009.

• Riding under the influence: Riding a motorcycle under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication is just about the dumbest thing a biker can do. Anything that alters a biker’s ability to read and react to dynamic road situations can spell disaster.

• Riding with strangers: Riding with a bunch of new riders sounds like fun but it is also very dangerous. Without knowing the riders, their riding habits, their sobriety, and their skill level, you can be putting yourself in a very dangerous situation. If you decide to ride with strangers in a group, make sure to ride staggered so that everyone has lots of space to maneuver.

• Speed Freaks/Stunt Riders: Speed freaks and stunt riders give all bikers a bad name among law enforcement, motorists, and other bikers. Excessive speed is great but only on a race track. Stunts are great but only in a controlled and safe environment. Do not get tempted into racing or stunting while riding on public roads. You will eventually either get seriously injured (or worse), arrested, or have to pay a big fine.

• Riding Dirty: The days of riding without a valid motorcycle endorsement are over. Everyone who rides a motorcycle needs to take the steps to acquire a valid license. Both new riders and experienced ones who do not have a motorcycle endorsement need to take a motorcycle rider safety course even if they are not required by law. They are very helpful and everyone can benefit from them.

• Lack of Gear: All riders need to wear DOT helmets, gloves, eye wear, and all other protective gear. Without it, even a minor accident can cause major injuries.

As we enter a New Year, let’s leave all the bad habits back in 2009. We were lucky those bad habits didn’t hurt us but if we keep doing them, 2010 could be a painful year.

Florida can be oppressively hot in the summer and extremely rainy and humid in the fall. The threat of hurricanes is always something Floridians keep a close eye on.

For bikers in Florida, December 1^st is one of the happiest dates of the year. Now that hurricane season is over,  less humid days and prime motorcycle riding weather is here.

With the best weather of the year descending upon Florida, more riders will be on the road than any other time of year. This is the time to be most vigilant about rider safety, obeying speed limits and traffic laws, and making sure your bike is properly maintained.

As new riders start hitting the streets after they finish their motorcycle rider safety courses, the roads will be a much more congested and dangerous place. So if you are getting back on your bike after a hiatus, keep motorcycle safety in mind or take a refresher course to re-familiarize yourself with sharing the road.

Great weather means great motorcycle riding but, it doesn’t always mean safety. Enjoy the weather but ride with safety in mind first.

When buying your first cruiser, it is important to balance style, performance, and new rider safety. While it would be great if every new biker received a new Harley Davidson Road King as a motorcycle rider safety course graduation present, that bike is not the best first bike for most new riders.

Whether you are buying a new or used motorcycle, the Yamaha V Star Custom is one of the best choices for a new cruiser. It offers a great mix of performance, style, and safety perfectly suited for new bikers.

The V Star Custom is a 650cc motorcycle, small by today’s standards, but it is not lacking on the road. Because of it’s low weight (slightly over 500lbs), the V Star Custom has no problem keeping up with larger cruisers.

The low weight of the V Star Custom makes it a great bike for trips and local commuting. Stops, turns, and parking maneuvers are much more easily achieved with a lighter bike for new riders. In the event of the bike falling, it is much easier to lift unlike larger cruisers weighing in excess of 700lbs.

This is not a watered down cruiser.

The V Star Custom has a long wheel base giving the bike a low and lean look. Along with a long wheel base comes a low 27.4 inch seat height giving the rider more control and confidence during stops, walking maneuvers, and low speeds. Park a V Star Custom next to a group of cruisers and it holds it’s own. It even has a 170 rear tire.

If you need a few more reasons to consider the V Star Custom, consider the 2010 models cost under $7000, late model used V Star Customs can be found between $3000-4000, and these bikes get nearly 50 MPG. If you are a new biker in the market for a cruiser, the V Star Custom is worth a close look.

I can’t think of anything that makes less sense than that.

Motorcyclists are not alone. There is a disturbing amount of motorists that drive without a driver license too. But for the biker, the stakes are much higher.

• Critical Skills: In many states, Motorcycle Rider Safety Courses are required to get a motorcycle endorsement. The skills learned in these classes are critical for staying alive on the road, even for experienced bikers.
• Insurance Risks:  Without a valid motorcycle endorsement, insurance claims for theft or damage may not be honored.
• Increased Risk of Fatality: Unlicensed motorcyclists die in accidents at a rate nearly double the rate of unlicensed motorists.

The bottom line is that there isn’t a single good reason why a biker shouldn’t have a motorcycle endorsement. Even experienced riders need to make sure they follow the correct steps to ride legally. Riding legally protects everyone in the motorcycle community and it is a smart move.

As motorcycling has grown in popularity, it has also grown in diversity. Women have been one of the fastest growing demographics among motorcycle riders.

The trend has become so strong that Harley Davidson declared the month of May as Women Riders Month.

Harley Davidson has even gone one step further. They have a section on their website dedicated to women riders. This section of the site features stories from women motorcycle riders across the country, special events for women, motorcycle rider safety courses, and other resources. Of course, the site also features a guide to help women select the perfect Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Kathleen Steele Tolleson, CEO of ROAR Motorcycles for women, is a champion for women motorcyclist. The ROAR website features everything from custom cruisers for sale, starter bikes, motorcycle apparel, blogs, and travel destinations. Tolleson also wrote the book Hear My Roar!, exploring women, motorcycles, and mental health. She also wrote the ebook The 5 Reasons Why More Women are Riding Motorcycles than Ever Before. ROAR Motorcycles for Women can be found on Facebook for those looking for social networking.

Not only are women riding Harleys but they are also riding sport bikes. Womin X LLC focuses on women riders who love sport bikes. This site focuses on women who are new to motorcycles and features sections like Motorcycles 101 and Learning How to Ride. Fans of Womin X can also connect with other riders via Myspace.

There are literally hundreds of motorcycle clubs for women who love sport bikes, cruisers, Harleys, or racing. Meetup.com is a great place to find women motorcycle clubs in your area like the Women Motorcycle Riders of Central PA, The Ground Breakaz Motorcycle Club in the Atlanta, GA area, or the Chrome Divas of Orlando, FL Motorcycle Club. While there are more men’s and mixed gender clubs than all women clubs, there are still lots of options.

For ladies deciding to ride motorcycles, this is a great and exciting time. With all of the other women riders and all the online resources, women can come together and find their place among all members of the biker community.

PRACTICE!

Just like you did when you took your motorcycle rider safety course, you need to practice operating your bike with a passenger. Furthermore, you need to practice with an experienced motorcycle rider, not one of your non-riding friends. An experienced rider can give you pointers along the way and make sure you do things in a smooth and comfortable manner. Otherwise, you are liable to scare the hell out of your first passenger and yourself.

Motorcycling is supposed to be a fun and safe experience and a few days of extra practice won’t kill you. Postpone that first passenger ride, call one of your experienced riding buddies, meet at a big empty parking lot, and practice until you are ready for the open road. You and your passenger will enjoy that first ride together even more as a result.