With the warmer weather officially upon us, more motorcycles will likely be out on the road in this year.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is asking motorcyclists and drivers to look out for one another and be safe.

"The rise of fatal motorcycle crashes is a harsh reminder to both motorists and riders that we must share the road responsibly," said GTSC Chair and DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. "The crash data we cite are not just numbers, they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. I want everyone to enjoy New York’s beautiful riding season, but to do so safely and responsibly."

According to state officials, fatal motorcycle crashes are up 50% since 2019.

Mike Riecke lost his son Chris in a motorcycle crash in South Carolina in 2018. Chris was just 23 years old. 

Riecke’s message to motorcyclists is get the proper training and take courses to be prepared to ride. He’s also asking drivers to look twice and slow down.

"Take your time," Riecke said. "Don’t be in a rush. When you go to work, leave early. Everybody seems to be in too much of a rush today. Everybody seems to be careless. Everybody seems to be on their phone."

According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) at the University at Albany's Rockefeller College, there were 198 fatal crashes that killed 204 people in 2021. In 2022, there have been 9 fatalities and more than 220 reported injuries

"It just takes a second to change a life forever," Chuck DeWeese, NYS assistant commissioner for the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, added. "And it takes all of us to achieve our goal of zero fatalities, and that is possible if we all work together. It’s a shared responsibility."

New York has had a rider-funded motorcycle safety training and awareness program known as the New York State Motorcycle Safety Program (NYSMSP). Motorcyclists can find a training course near them by visiting https://nysmsp.org/.

"We do much more than teach our students how to operate a motorcycle," Motorcycle Safety Foundation program manager Ben Zadrozny said. "We train our students how to be conspicuous on the road with both lane position as well as wearing the proper protective high visibility gear, especially a helmet that meets DOT specifications. There are many lifesaving skills taught, both mental and physical."