MAY 2, 2015
BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON, Utah
The Cottonwood Heights Police
Department hosted the Canyon Bike Festival Saturday to raise awareness about
the dangers motorcyclists and bikers face on Utah’s busy streets, as police
report a spike in motorcycle and bike accidents in Utah during the spring and
summer months.
“It seems to increase this time of year as the weather warms
up; more riders are out on the road,” said Mark Askerlund from the Cottonwood
Heights Police Department.
Roads were closed after a fatal collision between a motorcycle and a vehicle in Ogden Monday night. And a man
from Kaysville was killed when he crashed his motorcycle into the back of a semitrailer
in Wasatch County on Highway 40 last Sunday.
Saturday, a man suffered critical injuries after a
motorcycle and car collided and officials believe the driver of the car did not see the
motorcyclist.
Askerlund said it’s important for both drivers and bikers to
be aware.
“Have common courtesy, give plenty of room to the bicyclists
when you’re passing,” he said.
Helen Knipe with the Utah Department of Public Safety talked
about strategies drivers can use when they encounter a motorcycle.
“Motorcycles are smaller than cars,” she said. “They’re
harder to see, so if you’re leaving a driveway or making a turn, you do a quick
check.”
Motorcyclist Dave Palazzolo talked about some common
mistakes bikers make.
“We’re good at using the throttle, we’re good at twisting
the throttle and getting a go fast, but we’re not always good at using the
brakes and using the brakes appropriately,” Palazzolo said.
The Utah Department of Public Safety is offering motorcycle
safety courses, which Knipe says come highly recommended for anyone who owns a
bike.
“It teaches them life-saving skills and strategies to ride
safely among all the car traffic that’s out there,” Knipe said.
They offer the courses at various locations around Utah. For
more information, click
here.
Source: http://fox13now.com