The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is encouraging all motorcyclists to help demonstrate the tangible benefits of commuting to work on a motorcycle on Monday, June 21, in celebration of national Ride to Work Day—and to be safe while doing it.
"Ride to Work Day is a great way to show that motorcycles are fun to ride as well as an economical way to transport yourself from one point to another," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "With so many more riders on the road at this time of year, it's also a good opportunity to extend a note of caution to riders and motorists alike as part of the I AMAware campaign, which emphasizes safety on the road through enhanced awareness of fellow road users.
"I AMAware is a national program that encourages both defensive riding by motorcyclists and alertness by fellow road users," Dingman said. "In most car-motorcycle crashes, the driver claims he or she never saw the motorcyclist. By increasing awareness of motorcyclists on the road, crashes can be avoided, and lives can be saved."
Since its inception in 1992 by Aerostich/RiderWearHouse's Andy Goldfine, who also sits on the AMA's Board of Directors, Ride to Work Day has become an international event, with participation in cities around the world and recognition by the U.S. government. In the United States in recent years, both U.S. Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas), co-chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus and longtime supporters of motorcyclists' rights, have recognized the day on the floor of the House of Representatives.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 80 million cars and light trucks are used for daily commuting on American roads, and about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On Ride To Work Day, the practical side of riding becomes more visible as a larger number of America's motorcycles and scooters are ridden to work.
"Ride to Work Day is one of our best advertisements for the motorcycling lifestyle," said AMA Senior Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. "With more riders on the road during rush hour, these benefits become even clearer. Motorcycles and scooters are a socially responsible form of transportation that reduce fuel consumption and wear and tear on roads, ease congestion, make parking easier and exponentially increase the fun of your commute."
This year will be the 19th annual Ride to Work Day. More information about Ride to Work Day can be found at ridetowork.org.