Tag: motorcycles

Motorists Encouraged To Be Mindful Of Motorcycle Safety

With warmer weather just around the corner, state officials are raising awareness around motorcycle safety. 

With warmer weather just around the corner, state officials are raising awareness around motorcycle safety. 

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of the summer road travel season, and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program is emphasizing that “Motorcycle Safety is Everyone’s Safety”.

Unfortunately, data shows that motorcyclists are overrepresented in traffic crashes and fatalities. 

In 2020, 38 motorcyclists were killed in crashes on West Virginia roads, accounting for 14 percent of all statewide traffic fatalities that year.

Safe driving and riding practices from all road users — drivers and riders alike — help reduce the number of crashes, fatalities, and injuries on our highways.

Drivers and riders alike are encouraged to drive and ride alcohol- and drug-free and to obey the speed limit. 

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol impairment was a factor in 41 percent of fatal motorcycle collisions in 2020, while excessive speed was a factor in 34 percent.

Drivers are encouraged to allow more follow distance when behind a motorcycle, while riders are reminded to wear protective gear. NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017.

For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, visit highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.

Adventure Travel Day At The Capitol Includes E-bikes

On Adventure Travel Day at the West Virginia Legislature, on and off road enthusiasts touted some mean machines on two wheels and four – and some, not so mean.

On Adventure Travel Day at the West Virginia Legislature, on and off road enthusiasts touted some mean machines on two wheels and four – and some, not so mean. 

West Virginia adventure travel displays were not limited to inside the capitol rotunda. Outside the governor’s office, a row of high end road warrior vehicles formed a formidable, impromptu parking lot. A few came complete with attachable camping gear. 

Inside, adventure travel outfits included a variety of Hatfield-McCoy and other ATV trail runs, rides and accessories. The New River Jet Boats drew interest, as did the Court Roads Jeep Club and the 132-mile Hellbender Motorsports roadway run. 

McDowell County’s “Head of the Dragon” motorcycle and sports car ride was organized to help bring economic development to the coalfields. 

And the veteran driven Mission 22 display offered a road or trail ride to any former or current serviceman or woman who wants to hit the hills.

But the wheels getting the most traction running through state legislation right now come with the smallest engine here, and it’s not even gas powered. We’re talking about electric bikes, or e-bikes.

Joseph Overbaugh is the chief operating officer of Fission Cycles just outside Parkersburg. He is also the author of House Bill 2062, which just passed the House and is now in the Senate. It’s meant to align state e-bike laws with federal laws. The measure allows the most popular e-bikes made to be ridden in all of West Virginia’s state parks. 

Overbaugh said over the past five years, electric-bike popularity has skyrocketed.  

“One of the main drivers was actually COVID-19,” Overbaugh said. “After the lockdown and everyone got stuck at home, people started to look for ways to get out and do outdoor activities and social distance. The e-bike market just exploded as an opportunity for people to get out to exercise and social distance.”

State parks representatives who were set up at Adventure Travel Day said they were all in favor of opening up the parks to e-bikes.

Exit mobile version