Motorcyclists urged to enroll in training as key to safer rides

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Motorcycle Safety Month puts a spotlight on road safety for motorcyclists and drivers alike.

At Mathews Harley-Davidson, in Fresno, Melissa Walters said the growing mix of motorcycles, dirt bikes and e-bikes on local roads has made training and education more important than ever.

“The amount of fatalities we have going on right now, the accidents, the amount of e-bikes that are kind of all over the road, and maybe using them on a daily basis to get to school, it’s a challenge,” Melissa Walters said. “We need those riders to be educated too.”

Mathews Harley-Davidson offers a range of safety courses for e-bikes, dirt bikes and motorcycles that ride on asphalt.

Walters said the dealership is able to provide trained coaches and structured instruction for people who want to learn or sharpen their skills.

“The resources are there and we’re just fortunate to be in a position to offer such things with coaches that know what they’re doing and are professionally trained and have the credentials,” Melissa Walters said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 6,000 motorcyclists were killed in 2024, accounting for 15% of all traffic fatalities. Additional NHTSA data shows motorcyclists were almost 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were almost five times more likely to be injured.

Melissa Walters said safety is a shared responsibility.

Motorcycle Safety Month puts a spotlight on road safety for motorcyclists and drivers alike. (FOX26 Photojournalist Jordan Callison)

“Motorcycle safety is important. It’s important for automobile drivers. It’s important for riders. You can never have enough safety,” she said.

For riders who are nervous about falling, the training includes how to handle that, too.

Motorcyclist Maverick Walters said learning often comes with a few stumbles.

“It’s really not that bad. You fall and you get up and you keep on going,” Maverick Walters said.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is hosting “Ride Day,” offering a free 30-minute session with a professional instructor.

Participants can try their first ride on dirt or asphalt.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dirt bike riders must be 6 or older, and Harley-Davidson riders must be 16 or older.

Safety tips for riders include wearing proper gear such as helmets, padding on arms and legs, and reflective gear; keeping space between the bike and cars; and checking the weather before riding.

Tips for drivers include treating intersections with special care, sharing the road and not the lane, avoiding pulling up beside a motorcyclist, and keeping proper distance while staying alert.

Free online e-bike classes are currently available at https://ebikecourse.com/mbm/.

More information about Mathews Harley-Davidson coaches is available at https://mathewshd.com/coaches.

Motorcycle Safety Month spotlights training as key to safer rides