The 2013 State H.O.G. Rally takes place May 16-18 at Alamodome in San Antonio. Visit the rally’s website for a complete schedule of events.  See you there.

Please contact the Motorcycle/ATV Safety Unit with any questions.

Register today for an upcoming workshop. Space is limited.

If you’re having problems registering, please contact us.

Locations

Fort Worth

Tarrant County College
4801 Marine Creek Parkway
Fort Worth, TX 76179

Hotels in the area that offer state rate:

Holiday Inn Ft. Worth North-Fossil Creek
4635 Gemini Place
Fort Worth, TX 76106
817-624-0002

San Marcos

La Quinta Inn – San Marcos
1619 IH-35 North
San Marcos, TX 78666
866-468-3946 / 512-392-8800

EconoLodge
811 South Guadalupe Street
San Marcos, TX 78666-6845
800-553-2666 / 512-353-5300

Red Roof Inn San Marcos
817 I-S 35 North Service Road
San Marcos, TX 78666
800-733-7663 / 512-754-8899

Victoria

La Quinta Inn
7603 North Navarro
Victoria, TX 77904
(361)-572-3585

Snyder

Best Western Snyder Inn
810 E Coliseum Dr
Snyder, TX 1.9 mi E
(325) 574-2200

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
1305 E Coliseum Dr
Snyder, TX
(325) 573-0376

Amarillo

La Quinta Inn Amarillo West Medical Center
2108 Coulter St.
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 352-6311

Best Western Medical Center Inn
1610 S Coulter St.
Amarillo, TX 79106
(806) 358-7861

Lufkin

La Quinta Inn
2119 South First
Lufkin, TX 75901
(936)634-3351

Best Western Plus Crown Colony Inn & Suites
3211 S. First St.
Lufkin, TX 75901
(936) 634-3481

Alpine

Holiday Inn Express & Suites
2004 East Hwy 90
Alpine, TX 79830
(432) 837-9597

Ramada of Alpine
2800 W Hwy 90
Alpine, TX 79830
(432) 837-1100

May marks the start of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month when drivers of all other vehicles and all road users are reminded to safely “share the road” with motorcyclists, and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe.

Consider these facts:

• In 2012, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic-related deaths in Texas.
• 460 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes.
• A vehicle was involved in 50% of these fatal motorcycle crashes.
• In over two-thirds of fatal vehicle-motorcycle crashes, the vehicle struck the front of the motorcycle while turning left, usually at an intersection.
• The driver either did not see the motorcyclist or didn’t see the motorcyclist in time to avoid a crash.

Motorists tips:

• Never drive while distracted
• Allow the motorcyclist a full lane width. Do not share the lane.
• Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• A motorcyclist can be hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot so remember to look, look, then look again.
• Allow more following distance – four to five seconds.

Riders tips:

• Get trained and obtain a motorcycle operator license.
• Wear USDOT compliant helmets and other protective gear.
• Stay visible.
• Ride alert and unimpaired by alcohol or other drugs.
• Ride within your limits.
• Be a lifelong learner.

Click here to view the embedded video.

For More Information (PDF)

In a new report released April 24, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is projecting that motorcyclist deaths increased approximately 9 percent in 2012, to more than 5,000 lives lost. This is greater than the overall traffic fatality increase projected by the federal government and would be the 14th out of the last 15 years in which motorcyclist deaths increased. Notably, this level of deaths closes in on an all-time high, and motorcyclists remain one of the few roadway user groups where no progress can be shown over the last decade.

Read more.

Statistics from 2000 and 2008 indicate that motorcycle fatalities increased by 83 percent. During the same time period, the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by motorcycles increased by only 38 percent. Is this a deadly trend, or are the VMT numbers valid?

“The numbers we’re counting don’t reflect the rise in crashes, injuries and fatalities,” notes Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) Research Engineer Dan Middleton. “Are we counting motorcycles well enough? The answer is no.”

NCHRP Project 08-81, Improving the Quality of Motorcycle Travel Data Collection, tasked Middleton with reviewing current traffic detection methods, investigating new technologies and reporting on which count motorcycles the best.

“Motorcycle fatalities are increasing on our roadways, but data haven’t shown much change in VMTfor several years,” explains Christopher Hedges, NCHRP senior program officer. “That gives us a perception — one that is quite likely erroneous — that higher fatalities are resulting from some characteristics of the rider, the road or the motorcycle itself.”

Current detection technologies are divided into two categories: intrusive and non-intrusive. Intrusive detectors, like piezoelectric cables, require some modification of the pavement. Non-intrusive detectors, like passive infrared systems, are mounted above or beside the roadway.

Which ones work best? According to Middleton, piezoelectric cables work fine (particularly when brand new), but they require lane closures for installation and maintenance. Also, many agencies install sensors covering only half the lane width, allowing motorcycles to be missed. Preliminary results from recent tests on passive infrared systems in Florida indicate that infrared sensors distinguish motorcycles from cars and count the former correctly.

The methodology used to count motorcycles is also at issue. For example, consider the two distinct rider groups: commuters and recreational riders. Each group has a distinct riding pattern. Count locations for recreational riders are probably different from those for commuters.

“If you want to get a representative sample, you can’t just count urban areas. Commuters ride on weekdays, but recreational riders ride on weekends and holidays, and often on back roads,” Middleton says.

Middleton is using motorcycle crash reports to determine whether crash locations are good identifiers of count sites. Preliminary evidence from two states indicates that this method will work.

“Crashes happen where motorcycles travel. We used data to create a map that shows both motorcycle crash locations and motorcycle counts along all roadways. We haven’t found anything else that predicts where to count in these rural areas,” Middleton says.

The project couldn’t have come at a better time since states are now required to report motorcycle travel to the federal Highway Performance Monitoring System.

“Until we have a good understanding of true motorcycle volumes, we won’t have a good measure of exposure rates — the number of crashes and fatalities as a factor of actual motorcycle miles traveled,” Hedges says. “Without that kind of knowledge, it’s impossible to develop safety programs that address real needs and the right risk factors. This project has the potential to make a real difference in our understanding of motorcycle safety.”

Look Learn Live — a motorcycle safety and awareness campaign — was developed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS), and Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).

These social media sites contribute to the many motorcycle safety awareness efforts of the campaign.  Friends and followers are updated on the latest motorcycle safety classes, upcoming motorcycle safety events, and the latest on motorcycle safety.

The campaign encourages motorists to:

• Look twice for motorcycles
• Share the road
• Be extra careful at intersections

Like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter and help bring awareness to motorcycle safety.

The Ride On Center for Kids is a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic riding and hippotherapy for people with cognitive and physical challenges.

Participants must be 21 years or older to participate in the event. Register online by April 12^th for $25 per person. Registration after April 12^th will be $30 per person.

Schedule:

• 10:00 a.m. – Check in at R.O.C.K. (2050 Rockride Ln. Georgetown, Texas 78627)
• 10:30 a.m. – Opening ceremonies
• 11:30 a.m. – Tour of facilities
• 11:30 a.m. – Ride begins
• 4:00 p.m. – Reception at Hardtails Bar & Grill (1515 North IH 35 Georgetown, Texas 78628)

For more information check out the event flyer.

Interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? Check out the sponsorship packet for more details.

The TxDPS Motorcycle Operator Training Program (MOTP) will host a one day celebration for the public starting at 10am on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the Bastrop Convention Center (map). The day-long event includes RiderCoach and Sponsor professional development workshops beginning at 8am with an outdoor celebration for the public to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the TxDPS MOTP at 10am. Attendees can meet and network with other motorcycle industry participants and vendors.

Registration is closed for the professional development workshop, but is not necessary for the public portion of the event.