Beware Of Motorcyclists On Chester County Roadways: PennDOT

CHESTER COUNTY, PA —As the weather warms up, more motorcyclists will be riding on the back country roads in Chester County, according to state transportation officials.

May is designated as Motorcycle Awareness Month, a time when riders return to the roads after winter.

PennDOT and local police remind motorists to be aware of motorcyclists. There are nearly 800,000 licensed motorcyclists in Pennsylvania.

In Chester County, there were five motorcycle fatalities in 2022, an increase from three deaths the previous year, according to PennDOT statistics.

There were 108 motorcycle crashes in 2022 in Chester County, an increase of nine percent over 2021.

PennDOT offers these tips for motorcyclists:

• Wear a U.S. DOT-approved helmet, face or eye protection, and protective clothing.
• Know your motorcycle and conduct a pre-ride check.
• Wear reflective clothing and put reflective tape on your protective riding gear and motorcycle.
• Ride sober, obeying all speed limits and allowing enough time to react to dangerous situations.
• Practice safe-riding techniques and know how to handle your motorcycle in adverse road and weather conditions.
• Consider attending free training via PennDOT's Motorcycle Safety Program.

PennDOT offers these tips for motorists:

• Look out for motorcyclists — be aware that motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Large vehicles can also block a motorcycle from a motorist's view, and a motorcycle can suddenly appear out of nowhere.
• Allow more following distance when following a motorcycle.
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• Respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway.
• Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width as the motorcyclist needs room to maneuver safely in all types of road conditions.