The ASU community is taking advantage of the warmer weather by riding motorcycles and motorized scooters more often, according to ASU Police.
“Because of this time of year and the weather getting nicer … we tend to see a lot more people, in general, wanting to ride motorcycles,” ASU Police Cmdr. Michael Thompson said.
Thompson encourages students wanting to ride motorcycles to make sure they have the proper M endorsement on their driver’s license to maintain a safe highway environment.
Riders are required to obtain a certified M endorsement on their license from the Motor Vehicle Division.
“We just encourage people … to obey all traffic laws, which would include having the proper endorsement,” Thompson said. “That way everybody feels safer all the way around.”
Another reason for the increase in motorcycle riders is rising gas prices, said Bill Seltzer, marketing director for TEAM Arizona, a program that offers motorcycle training.
“As soon as we saw an increase in gas prices, we saw an increase in motorcycle training,” Seltzer said.
According to Monash Universities Accident Research Center, 92 percent of motorcycle crashes involved a rider with no formal training.
Students who do not receive proper motorcycle training and obtain the M endorsement on their driver’s license typically learn how to ride from neighbors or family members, Seltzer said.
Seltzer said he encourages everyone who wants to drive a motorcycle to receive training from certified professionals to increase safety awareness while riding.
“We have a proven method and a fun way to learn how to ride,” he said. “You wouldn’t ask your neighbor to pull your teeth.”
According to the 2010 Arizona Crash Facts Summary by the MVD, 5.59 percent of motorcycle crashes happen because of inattention and distractions of the surroundings.
Secondary education junior and 20-year motorcycle rider Gregory Plante lost two friends a few years ago when a turning passenger vehicle collided with the couple riding their motorcycles.
Plante said he has not noticed an increase in motorcycles, at least in the parking lot, but agreed he does save money on gas by riding. He can ride 300 miles on $20.
Plante also said it’s important to get a proper driver’s license endorsement, but the optional training is often unnecessary.
“You should follow the law, but you don’t need to have training,” he said. “If you ride a bike, you got to be defensive.”
Seltzer said people who get caught without the proper endorsement could pay roughly $400 in fines depending on the jurisdiction. Also at police discretion, the vehicle could be impounded, which costs about $80 a day.
“If there’s a vehicle identification number and that vehicle can be titled … then it’s required by law for proper endorsement,” he said.
Seltzer said an upside to proper training is the lowered cost of insurance rates for the rider.
“As far as insurance is concerned, I don’t know if an insurance company would insure a rider without the proper endorsement,” he said.
Reach the reporter at sraymund@asu.edu
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