JULY 14, 2008

Motorcyclists across the country will be riding to work July 16 in an annual effort to heighten visibility and promote the benefits of motorcycling, and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land urges participating Michigan riders to make safety a priority.

Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day is sponsored by Ride to Work, a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates the use of motorcycles and scooters for transportation. Gas savings, less pollution and traffic congestion as well as minimal space needed for parking are just some of the advantages of two-wheeled commuting touted by the group.

"Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day provides riders from all walks of life with an excellent opportunity to promote motorcycling as a cost-conscious, more environmentally friendly means of transportation," Land said. "But, whether you ride for fun or as part of your daily commute, safety is the No. 1 priority. This means wearing the proper safety gear and having the training and skills necessary to safely operate your motorcycle. And, all motorcyclists must have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license to legally ride on public roads."

Land explained that motorists share an equally important responsibility in promoting safety. Drivers of cars and trucks must keep alert for motorcyclists at all times, but take special care at intersections, when changing lanes and at night when crash risks are greater.

The Department of State administers Michigan's Motorcycle Safety Program. It oversees the network of public and private training programs. The state has more than 500,000 licensed riders. More than 20,000 residents are expected to attend motorcycle training or complete a third-party skills test this year.

Before a motorcycle endorsement can be issued, riders must pass a written knowledge test and complete a motorcycle safety class or a skills test given by a state-authorized third-party testing organization. The safety class is required for 16- and 17-year-olds as well as for adults who fail the rider skills test twice.

The first Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day was observed July 22, 1992. More information can be found at  www.ridetowork.org.

Visit www.Michigan.gov/sos for information about motorcycle safety.