Southern California is a motorcycle-enthusiast’s dream, with more rideable sunny days down here than almost anywhere else in the county. While other areas have to store their motorcycles for a winter’s nap, some of the best riding happens around here from January to May, when temps stay low and you can ride all day without breaking too much of a sweat.
However, motorcycle traffic does increase in spring which means more chance for accidents, especially during busy weekends when car and pedestrian traffic can create plenty of distractions.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022, representing 15 percent of total highway fatalities for that year. In California, 634 motorcyclists were killed in 2022, an increase of 3.8 percent from 2021.
When driving your car keep your eyes on your mirrors, especially when changing lanes. Motorcyclists can legally lane split in California, which is when a motorcycle uses the center line to move to the front of traffic. It’s also referred a practice known as “lane-filtering.”
If used responsibly, lanesplitting and filtering can help cars flow better and keep motorcyclists out of bumper-to-bumper traffic where distractions can lead to accidents. It’s also a holdover from when motorcycles were all air-cooled and you had to keep them moving to avoid overheating.
Always give a motorcycle plenty of room when following them. Motorcycles can be more difficult to spot in oncoming traffic so pay extra attention when making a turn that crosses opposing lanes. Small accidents between two cars usually results in an insurance claim, whereas a collision with a motorcyclist can have much more serious implications.
If you are out riding remember to always keep your headlight on and gear up for the slide, not just the ride. The open desert can make it extra tempting to twist your wrist and get light on the front wheel, but save that type of risky riding for the track or closed areas that doesn’t have traffic. Once you are out riding in those hunderds of square miles of available OHV land, keep your head on a swivel and watch for other riders out there having just as much fun as you are.
There is safety in numbers! Meet other riders so you can get get into groups when heading out to enjoy the endless miles. There is a bike night meetup for riders of all motorcycles this Saturday at All Roads Desert Market in Yucca Valley starting at 6:00 p.m.
Further Reading:
Johnson Valley OHV Riding Area
R.I.D.E. Right – California Motorcycle Safety Training Courses
California Highway Patrol – Lanesplitting and Motorcycle Safety
