BUFFALO, N.Y. -- As motorcycle season begins, Erie County officials are promoting safety and awareness.
The 26th annual ABATE motorcycle ride kicked off in Buffalo Saturday.
Riders teamed up with community members to help protect motorcyclists on the road.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says now is the perfect time since May is national Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
He's asking drivers to be more cautious when sharing the road with motorcyclists this summer.
"And I want each and everyone of the people who are driving a vehicle or riding a bike to understand that if we share the road appropriately, and if we share the road safely, everyone will have a wonderful time and get home safely," Poloncarz said.
Officials says hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists travel through Erie County in the spring and summer months.