Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

As a biker myself, I know motorcycle safety begins and ends with riders taking personal responsibility, says Peters. That means proper training, proper gear and a DOT certified helmet every time you ride.

Joining Peters were US Representatives Michael C. Burgess (R-Tex.) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), the co-chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, says Burgess. For riders, that means ride responsibly. For everyone else on the road, stay alert and dont let dangerous distractions divert your attention from the road.

Burgess and Giffords have submitted a House resolution to support the goals of Motorcycle Saftey Awareness Month. The House will likely examine the resolution within the next few weeks.

This resolution encourages riders to always wear helmets and other protective gear, to never drink and ride, and to be properly licensed and trained, says Giffords. It also serves as a reminder to all riders and motorists to always share the road respectfully.

The resolution also recognizes the benefits of motorcycles as a fuel-efficient mode of transportation.

There are many other reasons why motorcycles are so popular, but one explanation is simple economics: the rising cost of gas, says Representative Giffords. Motorcycles offer a more fuel efficient and cheaper way of getting around. And as a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, I am committed to working with all my constituents and colleagues in Congress to move our country forward and continue our tradition of international leadership on environmental issues. I am proud that, as a motorcyclist, I am leaving a smaller footprint on our earth by just riding my bike.

Tim Buche, president of the Motorcycle Industry Council, also participated in the event.

Im happy to see that federal leaders are committed to motorcycle safety and I look forward to continuing to work with them to do our part to make 2008, and each year moving forward, a safer year for motorcyclists, says Buche. Each and every road user a motorcyclist out on a relaxing ride or commuting to work, a family in a van headed for a vacation, or a truck driver delivering product has a role to play in highway safety. Ride and drive carefully. Obey traffic laws. Always be conscious of other motorists. You may save a life.