With warm weather and high gas prices making the allure of a motorcycle especially appealing, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land wants riders to make sure they have the proper training, equipment and a motorcycle endorsement on their license before riding.

"Motorcycling attracts people of all ages - you never know who's under the helmet," Land said. "But all riders must have a motorcycle endorsement to legally ride on public roads. Matching the size and power of the bike to your skill and experience is critical. This is especially important for people who haven't ridden in years and whose skills may be rusty. I encourage all to practice safe, responsible riding by wearing the proper gear, learning how to ride within their capabilities and obtaining an endorsement."

The majority of endorsed motorcyclists in Michigan were born during the baby boomer years or earlier. For example, nearly 328,000 of the 517,000 licensed riders in the state are between the ages of 45 and 69.

Land made her remarks at a Lansing news conference to kick off May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Among Land's guests were Michael Bouchard, Oakland County sheriff; state Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge; and Michael L. Prince, Office of Highway Safety Planning director.

Land also honored Eaton Rapids resident and Gold Wing Touring Association member Eric Larson with a motorcycle license plate plaque commemorating his dedication to promoting safe motorcycling.

"Michigan continues to strengthen its motorcycle safety programs, especially in the area of training," Prince said. "Training is essential, whether it be for the novice rider or for someone who is a returning rider. OHSP will continue to support efforts to make motorcycle riding safer."

Also participating were motorcycling enthusiasts Joe Berwanger, vice president, Comcast Spotlight Michigan; Augie Fernandes, Gleaners Community Food Bank president; Lila Lazarus, WJBK FOX 2 reporter in Detroit; and Eric Spector, a professional American Motorcyclist Association rider and lawyer from Royal Oak. A skills riding demonstration by two Michigan State Police motorcyclists concluded the event.

The importance of motorcyclists obtaining the proper training and skills testing as well as the need to exercise caution on the road cannot be emphasized enough. In 2007, 124 people were killed in motorcycle crashes, up from 114 the year before.

"As a motorcyclist myself and a member of the law enforcement community, I encourage all riders to play it safe," Bouchard said. "We must work to ensure that motorcyclists are properly equipped, trained and licensed so we aren't placing those we share the road with, and ourselves, at risk. Also, always practice defensive driving skills. Because, even if it is the other motorist's error, it is usually the motorcyclist who suffers the more serious injuries."

To help keep riders safe, the Department of State offers motorcycle safety training and skills testing through the Michigan Motorcycle Safety Program. The program includes 31 public and private training schools, with classes available for novice and experienced riders, and 83 third-party testing organizations that offer the skills tests at 116 locations. Recent federal funding through the Office of Highway Safety Planning has also allowed the department to augment the program by purchasing 24 new motorcycles and adding about 80 training classes.

Motorists are also reminded of the importance of sharing the road with motorcycles through a series of electronic traffic safety messages being displayed along major routes in Grand Rapids and Detroit.

"With the riding season kicking into high gear, it is important for motorists to consciously look for our friends on the road who ride motorcycles," Land said.

To obtain a motorcycle endorsement, students must pass a written knowledge test and successfully complete either a training class or a basic riding skills test. Teens ages 16 and 17 are required to take a class. Approximately 26,000 residents are expected to enroll in a motorcycle safety class or take the skills test this year.

As of March, there were nearly 517,000 endorsed motorcyclists in Michigan. Women motorcyclists totaled almost 54,000, an increase of about 2,700 from last year. The number of male riders grew from about 455,000 to 463,000 during that same time.

Visit www.Michigan.gov/sos for more information about motorcycle safety.

Related Links:
>  Michigan Motorcycle Safety Program
>  Motorcycle Safety Awareness Proclamation 
>  Motorcycle Safety Awareness House Resolution