With gas prices approaching four bucks a gallon, and the weather warming up, people are looking at motorcycles.
There are few things to consider when thinking about commuting and running errands on a motorcycle.
"Well you certainly will get better fuel economy on a motorcycle than you would with most automobiles." However, Dave Jenneke with the Madison Area Technical College (MATC) says it's a good idea to freshen-up your riding skills before hitting the road.
One hundred six (106) people were killed and more than 2,600 were injured in motorcycle accidents last year, according to the DOT. Technical colleges throughout the state are offering motorcycle safety classes , designed for both the beginner and the experienced riders.
Jenneke explains if you don't currently own a bike, you might want to weigh the start-up cost with what you'd spend on fueling up your automobile before going out and buying one. "The investment in both money for the motorcycle and insurance and the gear, as well as committing yourself to using the machine eight months a year … you're going to have to ride it a lot in order to get your investment back."
Three biggest mistakes for those riding in the open air? Jenneke says drinking while riding is a big problem. Also, there aren't enough people wearing protective gear. And Jenneke notes, many people buy more motorcycle than they can handle.
MATC offers many motorcycle safety classes that are approved by the state and certified by the motorcycle safety foundation.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:29 MP3)
