Letter to the editor: Bikers — stay safe and enjoy the ride

This is the time of year when everyone is reminded to “watch for motorcycles.” Great advice. A driver neglecting to pay attention earned me an unplanned helicopter ride. Sadly, there were several local fatalities in the past few weeks.

Drivers are distracted, but riders have the largest role and the most to lose when it comes to their safety. Almost daily I see riders taking huge risks, some riding in excess of 100 mph while weaving between cars. Speeding and aggressive lane changes are just one risk factor. How about all the bikes parked at bars on Saturdays and Sundays?

As riders, we have to decide which if any risks we are willing to take when we get on a bike, with the goal being to have as few risk factors as possible (speeding, drinking, riding at night, aggressive riding, riding in bad weather, not wearing a helmet, riding a bike that is too big or too small). Unlike distracted drivers, these are all things we can control.

Hopefully, the casualties in the first few weeks of spring are not a reflection of the number of tragedies this season. Enjoy the ride!

Thomas C. Spallone

Hempfield

The writer is an Iron Butt Association rider who has ridden through each of the lower 48 states.