Motorcycle safety priorities for El Paso riders
Motorcycles crashes happen often, but with the latest fatality on Sunday some riders said safety needs to be more of a priority.
“As a rider you have to take responsibility for your safety, and you have to ride within your skill set,” said Dean Kinder.
He is a former law enforcement officer, and now coordinates motorcycle safety courses at El Paso Community College.
Six fatal motorcycle wrecks happened this year, El Paso police told ABC-7, and 17 last year.
“Anybody can ride a bike at 70 mph,” said Men of War Motorcycle President Douge Houge. “It’s riding a bike at 5 mph in a parking lot on Monday afternoon. Just learning how to properly control your bike.I think more people need to do that.”
The Texas Department of Transportation reported more than 500 fatal motorcycle crashes in 2017. In more than 50 percent of those, riders were not wearing a helmet.
Protective gear is imperative to ensure safety while riding, Kinder said.
“Everyone should be wearing long pants with no holes in them, over-the-ankle boots, long sleeved-shirts and full-fingered gloves,” said Kinder. “To prevent road rash, broken bones and head injuries.”
Houge suggested taking precautions a step further, recommending helmets that fully encompass your head.
It’s not just protective gear, watching out for other motorists is equally important.
“I’ve literally almost been ran off the road riding a motorcycle,” said Houge. “I had to scoot over watching this person type on their phone while drifting over to my lane.”
