In the Wind

Safety key on 2 wheels

David P. Greisman
Sentinel Staff

Even from a distance, the rumble is unmistakable, conjuring up the image of a motorcycle approaching, steel and chrome carrying a leather-clad, helmet-wearing rider. It's not always so. With the arrival of spring, bikers have taken to the streets of the Monadnock Region in full force. Yet some, experts say, don't do so fully prepared or protected.

The proper gear - and constantly looking out for potential hazards - is key, they say.

"You don't have a car and all that metal wrapped around you on a motorcycle, and you're on two wheels," said Thomas J. Simpson, owner of Monadnock Harley-Davidson in East Swanzey.

"A lot of accidents occur when the driver of another vehicle is not necessarily aware of the motorcyclist," he said. "It's important for the motorcycle driver to be aware of other people. If you see a car pulling up or out, you have to plan on what you might have to do."

Twenty-five people were killed in motorcycle crashes in New Hampshire in 2007. Another two people have died in crashes so far this year.

An average of 21 people have died each year in motorcycle crashes over the last five years. Though that is low compared to a national high of 562 deaths in Florida in 2006, state officials are concerned.

After 42 riders died in 2005, the state formed a motorcycle task force and began promoting safety courses, said Peter Thomson, coordinator of the New Hampshire Highway Safety Agency.

"You learn how to physically ride a motorcycle," Thomson said about the classes. "Not everyone can just jump on and ride."

The classes are now offered in nine locations throughout New Hampshire. Applications can be printed off of the state's Division of Motor Vehicles Web site.

With the statewide rise in riders, officials are strongly urging motorcyclists to enroll.

There are now more than 56,000 registered motorcycles in New Hampshire, according to the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Cory R. Cook earned his motorcycle license through the state classes.

"It's worth every penny," said Cook, 29, of Keene. "They take it from not even starting it, just walking it, all the way through riding it. I had never ridden when I took the course. I was actually pretty comfortable on the bike when I was done."

Cook put on a helmet after he ascended his red Harley-Davidson, a step not required by law in New Hampshire but nevertheless recommended by those in the business.

"How important is it to wear a helmet?" said Randy S. Martin, a manager at Keene Motorsports in Swanzey. "It's huge."

Martin cites a friend, Frank Grimes, 62, of Keene, who was driving a motorcycle north on Route 12 in Westmoreland earlier this month when he hit a wild turkey that flew out from the woods on the west side of the road.

"He said he never saw the thing coming," Martin said. "He had all his protective gear on, and he came walking in a few days later. He was a lot better off for having that on."

Martin said full-faced motorcycle helmets provide the most protection.

"A lot of people don't like having a helmet on," he said. "They feel it restricts them from hearing and seeing things, but I think the benefits of a helmet far outweigh the negatives."

Proper attire is important, too, experts say. Pants are better than shorts, boots are better than sneakers or sandals, and riders should look toward wearing gloves, eye protection and a strong material such as leather.

Being mentally ready also plays a part in motorcycle safety.

"Check your bike. Check your tires. You should be doing that kind of stuff every time you ride," Simpson said. "It's a two-wheel vehicle. If a tire blows, you're in big trouble. In a car, you'd be able to get to the shoulder easily."

And though the combination of open roads and powerful engines can be tempting, riders shouldn't get carried away.

"Follow the rules of the road and the speed limits," Martin said. "That's not always an easy thing to do on some of these motorcycles, because they're very exciting and it's easy to go beyond the speed limit.

"A lot of the young guys, they think they're invincible," he said. "A lot of times they don't ride smart."

Associated Press contributed to this report.

On the Net:

www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/