Your Health: Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycle fatalities are on the rise and that has prompted state Senator Patty Ritchie (R. 48th District) to call for more safety training for all drivers.

There were more than 150 motorcycle deaths in New York in 2009.

As the number of riders has increased so have the number of accidents. 

Ritchie has introduced a bill to make motorcycle awareness a component of the required five hour driving safety course. 

The owner of the local Harley Davison store says any idea to help build awareness and make riders safer is a good thing.

"One of the biggest problems with motorcycles and motorcyclists is they are unaware of the fact that many, many drivers do not look for motorcycles. They don't see you, just like they don't see bicycles," said owner Erik Dunk.

There are more motorcycles than ever on the road.

The number of registered bikes in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties increased 16 percent from 2007 to 2010. 

Ritchie wants drivers to be better educated on how to share the road with these bikes.