Minnesota’s motorcycle and bike awareness month is May. It’s a time where it’s hoped that more people will learn about motorcyclists and their presence on the roads. It’s hoped that others will be aware of their surroundings and prevent collisions.
Bicyclists and motorcyclists are able to be on the roads, just like anyone else. Sadly, this year’s awareness month did not start well. There were two crashes involving a bicylist and a motorcyclist. Both crashes resulted in fatalities.
The first collision happened May 3 when a 51-year-old bicyclist was struck and killed by an SUV. The next day, the fatal motorcycle accident took place. The motorcyclist was killed when he was ejected from his motorcycle.
In the first case, the bicyclist was hit by another driver, but it appeared that the motorcyclist just lost control of their vehicle. The Maplewood Department of Public Safety reported that motorcyclists and bicyclists are supposed to follow most of the same rules as those in passenger vehicles or trucks, for instance. In a May 14 report, the department also said that it hopes that those driving cars and other motor vehicles will begin to be more vigilant to prevent unnecessary accidents.
Driving a motorcycle or riding a bike can be dangerous in the spring and well into the summer. Drivers may not expect to see you on the roads, especially if the weather is bad or if you are riding at an unusual time of day or night. Regardless, you have a right to use the roadways, so if you’re hit, you can file a claim.