The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee today announced that it is one of the sponsors of the annual Americade motorcycle festival in Lake George, which is the largest multi-brand motorcycle touring rally in the country. During the festival, GTSC will share important safety information with riders and other drivers, reminding them that safety is their hands. This is part of a larger statewide motorcycle safety campaign GTSC is launching across the state.
Motorcyclists continue to be overrepresented in traffic-related fatalities in New York and nationwide. According to data from the Institute from Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), 194 people were killed in motorcycle crashes in New York State in 2023. That accounts for 17.5% of all traffic-related fatalities. Nationally, despite representing only 3.5 percent of all registered motor vehicles, motorcyclists account for 15 percent of all traffic-related fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In addition, crashes involving motorcycles are on the rise. The total number of crashes statewide was 4,658, in 2023, a nearly 13-percent increase over 2022. In New York City alone, there were more than 2,000 motorcycle crashes, almost 50-percent more than were reported the previous year.
“As the summer travel season heats up, more motorcyclists will hit the open road to explore New York State and beyond,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. “It is so important for everyone on the road to be aware of their surroundings and other drivers or pedestrians. Enjoy your ride, and make sure that everyone else gets the same opportunity to get to their destinations and back home safely.”
“Far too often, motorcycle crashes result in serious injury or tragic loss of life, many of which are preventable with greater awareness and caution,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “I commend the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee for launching this vital campaign, which reminds all New Yorkers that safety is a shared responsibility—and that the goal is always to ensure everyone makes it home safely.”
“The New York State Police is committed to promoting safety for all who share the road, including the growing number of motorcyclists traveling across our state each summer,” said State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “We are proud to join the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and our public safety partners in supporting this important initiative and Americade’s efforts to raise awareness. We urge all motorists to remain vigilant, drive responsibly, and give motorcyclists the space and respect they deserve. A moment of caution can save a life.”
As part of the partnership with Americade, DMV and GTSC signage and safety messaging were prominent during the festival’s opening ceremonies and will be displayed throughout the festival on screens at various venues around Lake George Village. GTSC will also sponsor the popular Slow Drive competition.
The larger statewide awareness campaign, produced by DMV and the Department of Health, will target men ages 21- to 40- years-old—the demographic most likely to be involved in motorcycle crashes. The campaign will leverage TV, radio, social media, streaming video and audio, and strategic ad placements at gas stations and other venues to bring the messaging of “Safe Riding Is In Your Hands” and “Ride-Drive-Care” to where motorcyclists are. The goal is to reach out to all riders, but especially younger ones who may be less experienced and more at risk of a crash. The campaign is set to run through June.
GTSC offers these safety tips for motorcyclists:
- Know your bike. Understand your motorcycle’s capabilities and limits including how it handles, stops and responds. Choose a bike that fits your level of riding expertise.
- Check the weather. It is important to know what the riding conditions will be. Remember to check the conditions of your destination if you are traveling more than a few miles and know your limits for riding in adverse conditions.
- Perform a pre-ride safety check. Ensure your lights and horn are working and both mirrors are adjusted. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have legal tread depth. Remember, motorcycles maintain a smaller tire contact patch on the roadway when compared to other vehicles. Good traction is a key component to safe handling and braking.
- Protect your melon. Always wear a DOT-approved helmet and eye protection. "Novelty helmets" are not approved and offer little protection to the rider in a crash. In fact, they are illegal to wear on New York roadways.
- Always wear high-quality riding gear. It is designed to protect you during a fall. This includes over-the-ankle boots and full finger gloves with padding in addition to jackets and pants with armor protection at impact points.
- Be conspicuous. Wear high-visibility vests, garments with reflective features and accessories to boost your visibility to other drivers.
- Ride defensively. Defensive riding techniques can help keep you safe.
- Allow adequate space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Use the "two second" rule as a safety zone.
- Maintain a high level of awareness. If you are tired, take a break to re-energize and boost your concentration.
- Drive sober. Never ride impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Turn left with caution. Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left. If you are preparing to cross traffic or turn left, take a second look to make sure it is safe to proceed.
- Let other motorists know your intentions. Signal when you turn with your directional lights or hand signals. Also, flashing your brake light periodically before you stop will alert drivers behind you to be cautious.
New York has a rider-funded motorcycle safety training and awareness program known as the New York State Motorcycle Safety Program (NYSMSP). The program uses a nationally recognized motorcycle training curriculum developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The courses teach effective turning, braking maneuvers, tips to avoid obstacles, strategies in traffic, how to select appropriate protective apparel and vehicle maintenance.
GTSC also offers these safety tips for drivers:
- Yield to motorcycles. Don't turn quickly in front of an oncoming motorcycle, as it may be traveling faster than it appears.
- Give motorcyclists space. Leave a safe following distance. Motorcyclists may need to stop quickly or maneuver suddenly to avoid something in the road like a pothole that is dangerous to them but may not be to a vehicle.
- Look twice. Check your mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes. Approach intersections with caution since motorcycles may be harder to see, and always look twice when turning left.
- Pass with care. Never try to pass a motorcycle in the same lane, and remember that when you pass, the gust of wind that follows could cause the motorcycle to become unstable. Always use your turn signal before changing lanes, leave plenty of space when passing, and make sure you are several car lengths ahead of the motorcycle before returning to their lane.
- Be a responsible driver. Observe and obey all traffic laws, signs and signals, and make sure that any items you are hauling are properly secured before driving.
- Never drive distracted. Don't let cellphones and other activities distract you from your core mission — driving safely.
- Drive sober. Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. Impaired driving is an indiscriminate killer with no demographic barriers.
To learn more about owning a motorcycle, visit DMV’s motorcycle manual web page.
For motorcycle safety information, visit the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee motorcycle web page.
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