Motorcycle Safety

Virginia Rider Training Program Sites

(CC = Community College)
• Alberta, Southside Virginia CC, Christanna Campus, (434) 949-1026
• Abingdon, Virginia Highlands CC, (276) 739-2468
• Alexandria, Northern Virginia CC, (703) 845-6110
• Broadway, Five Star Services Motorcycle Academy, (866)779-9660, www.RideFiveStar.com
• Charlottesville, Albemarle County Community Education, (434) 975-9451
• Chesapeake, Tidewater CC, Chesapeake Campus, (757) 822-5247
• Danville, Danville CC, (434) 797-2222
• Fairfax, Apex Cycle Education, (571) 201-7661, www.apexcycleeducation.com
• Franklin, Paul D. Camp CC, (757)569-6050
• Fredericksburg, Germanna CC, (540) 727-3008
• Glenns, Rappahannock CC, (804)758-6750
• Hampton, Thomas Nelson CC, (757) 825-2758
• Keysville, Southside Virginia CC, John Daniel Campus, (434) 736-2011
• Lexington, Dabney Lancaster CC, (540)863-2863, (540)463-6673
• Loudoun, Northern Virginia CC, Loudoun Campus, (703) 450-2551
• Lynchburg, Central Virginia CC, (434) 832-7622
• Manassas, Apex Cycle Education, (571) 201-7661, www.apexcycleeducation.com
• Orange, Central VA M/C School, LLC, (540) 272-7474, ww.cvms4riding.com
• Portsmouth, Tidewater Motorcycle Safety, www.tmstrain.com
• Prince George, Colonial Harley Davidson, (804)861-4700
• Pulaski, New River CC, (540) 674-3613
• Richlands, Southwest VA CC, (276) 964-7241
• Richmond/Petersburg, Motorcycle Safety Center, Ashland, (804) 368-0989
• Roanoke, Virginia Western CC, (540) 857-7375
• Staunton, Shenandoah Harley-Davidson, 213 Rolling Thunder Lane, (540) 231-7433
• Warsaw, Rappahannock CC, (804)333-6828
• Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge CC, (540) 453-2284 or (888) 750-2722 ext. 2284
• Winchester, Lord Fairfax CC, (540) 868-7121
• Winchester, Five Star Services Motorcycle Academy, (866)779-9660, www.RideFiveStar.com

Virginia Requirements

• Get licensed. If you operate a motorcycle or trike in VA you must hold a valid class M endorsement on your driver license.
• Register your motorcycle. If you own and operate a motorcycle in Virginia, you must have a Virginia title, registration card, and license plate
• Wear a helmet. motorcyclists and their passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet that meets or exceeds the standards and specifications of the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation. Helmets that meet these standards are marked accordingly on the inside of the helmet.
• Protect your eyes. Motorcyclists must wear a face shield or safety glasses/goggles, or the motorcycle must be equipped with a type of windshield approved by the Virginia State Police.
• And we highly recommend that you...wear proper protective clothing, including long pants and a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, boots or shoes that cover the ankles, and riding gloves.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

• Position your motorcycle so that other road users can see you. Avoid the car’s blind spot. All vehicles, big or small, have blind spots, where other vehicles cannot easily be seen in their mirrors.
• Check your rear vision mirrors and glance over your shoulder before changing lanes or merging.
• Overtake carefully without speeding or swerving too much.
• Ride at a speed that will allow you to deal with the unexpected and allow you to slow down or stop.
• While traveling around curves, ride at the advised speed limit. It is very easy to "come unstuck". In fact, 48% of motorcyclists’ fatal crashes occur on curves.
• Be particularly alert at intersections where many motorcycle-motor vehicle crashes occur. Approach intersections cautiously and prepare to stop, even if you have the right of way.
• Wear a Standards Approved helmet when riding. Helmets that are dropped or damaged may not protect you in a crash. Replace them immediately. Do not buy a second hand helmet.
• You are responsible for your pillions’ safety. Advise them on correct techniques for pillion riding. For example, tell your pillion to keep still and not talk when the motorcycle is moving slowly. Provide them with a Standards Approved helmet and protective clothing if they do not have their own.

Because motorcycles are smaller than motor vehicles, they are not as easily seen on the roads as other vehicles. Car drivers don't expect to see you.

Make yourself more visible to car drivers by...

• Using brightly colored helmets.
• Wearing brightly colored protective clothing (including gloves, boots, protective eye wear); It is important to wear all the protective clothing at all times, not just on long trips and in cold weather.
• Using headlights during daytime.
• Add auxiliary lights to the front of your motorcycle. Auxiliary lights make your motorcycle look bigger and make it easier for motorists to determine your speed.
• Use a headlight modulator. A modulator pulses your headlight, drawing attention to your bike. Headlight modulators are legal by federal statute in the US and Canada.

Safety Tips for Car Drivers

• Expect to see motorcycles anytime and be on the look out for them.
• Motorcycles need a full lane to ride safely. Do not drive in the same lane as a motorcycle - it is illegal and unsafe.
• Allow motorcycles as much space as a car (if they are in front of you) when overtaking them and going back into your own lane.
• Motorcycles, being small, can easily be hidden behind a truck or car. Regularly check your side and rear vision mirrors and the blind spot before merging or changing lanes. That is, look in the mirrors and over your shoulder.
• Be particularly aware of motorcycles at intersections and make sure you know where the motorcycle is going to turn before proceeding. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and are not easily seen.
• Motorcyclists can accelerate quickly and can also reduce speed quickly to avoid pot holes and other hazards. They may need to use all of their lane - and sometimes change lanes - to avoid road surface hazards. You should therefore be alert to sudden changes in speed and position of motorcycles. Drive at a safe distance.