Spring is here and for many that means that the dream of buying a motorcycle is nagging at you again – especially if you live in a state like California. It’s hard to resist the temptation when you live in a state that seems custom made for riding. Imagine the beautiful Oceanside cruises on a lazy Sunday. Maybe a trip through the mountains is more your style. A day trip to wine country sounds nice on a brand new bike as well. If you owned a bike when you were younger, you may think that you don’t need to bother with a motorcycle safety course, but times change, people change and bikes change. The roads are more dangerous now than they were twenty years ago and let’s face it, you probably have more to lose now than you did twenty yeas ago.
Back when many of us started riding motorcycles, there were no laws about helmets or requirements that we have a motorcycle endorsement or special license to ride. You could just hop on a bike and ride off into the sunset. Now, however, many states have enacted helmet laws and all states require a special license or endorsement to ride a motorcycle. Tickets for getting caught riding without a license can cost a small fortune as well. Not all states require that you complete a motorcycle safety course prior to receiving your motorcycle license. California, for example, only requires you to pass the written exam if you are over 18 years old to get your motorcycle license. For those under 18 years old, however, an approved motorcycle training course is required. A motorcycle training course is something that all riders should consider – regardless of your state’s legal requirements.
Each year, close to 5,000 are killed in motorcycle accidents and thousands more are injured, says California motorcycle accident attorney Emery Ledger of Ledger & Associates. Statistics tell us that of the bikers involved in accidents, 92% are self-taught – meaning they did not complete a motorcycle training course. Motorcycle training courses reduce the chance that you will be involved in an accident and reduce the injuries you will receive in the event you are in an accident. Let’s face it, if you ride for long enough there is a good chance that you will lay the bike down at some point in time. Part of the point of a training course it to help you learn how to do that to minimize injury to you and your bike. That old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” isn’t entirely true. Even an experience motorcyclist can learn something new. If you have some experience riding – maybe back in your twenties – then you probably don’t need a beginner course. Why not take an advanced or expert course? Many of us are required to take continuing education classes for our profession, why should riding a motorcycle be any different? There is no reason not to give in to that dream of riding again, but do it safely.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, or have any additional questions, contact Emery Ledger at Ledger & Associates online at www.ledgerlaw.com or at 1-800-300-0001.
