Prairie State Wire

Gov. JB Pritzker has declared May as Motorcycle Awareness Month in Illinois, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP), and motorcycle safety advocates. The initiative aims to remind road users to "Start Seeing Motorcycles."

"Thousands of riders enjoy Illinois by motorcycle. During the coming months, it's important to share the road, slow down and be aware of your surroundings," said Steve Travia, IDOT's Director of Highways and Chief Engineer. "By working together and following some simple rules, we can save lives."

The campaign aligns with warmer weather when more motorcyclists are on the roads. Despite representing only 3% of total vehicle registrations in Illinois, motorcycles accounted for over 11% of traffic fatalities in 2022. Out of 1,270 traffic fatalities last year, 146 were motorcyclists.

Throughout the riding season, banners and yard signs promoting Start Seeing Motorcycles will be displayed statewide to encourage vigilance among motorists.

"While motorcyclists are a statistically smaller portion of total roadway users, they represent a disproportionately higher number of fatalities on Illinois roadways," said ISP Division of Patrol Col. Margaret McGreal. She emphasized awareness about motorcyclists' vulnerabilities and urged riders to undergo quality training and wear proper gear.

Riders are advised to stay visible by wearing protective gear, maintaining their bikes regularly, and taking advantage of IDOT's free safety courses.

IDOT offers several safety recommendations for drivers: check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or merging; allow adequate space for motorcyclists; use caution around groups of riders; signal intentions clearly when changing lanes.

Motorcyclists are encouraged to wear DOT-compliant gear that enhances visibility; maintain lane positioning for better visibility; ride with headlights on at all times as required by law; ensure sufficient space for emergency braking; ride sober; signal lane changes appropriately.

The Start Seeing Motorcycles campaign is supported by IDOT, ISP, ABATE, and other organizations focused on motorcycle education and safety awareness. More information about IDOT's free training programs is available at startseeingmotorcycles.org.