FLORENCE, Ky. — Sean Parker works at Collins Powersports, where he does a bit of everything. The shop sells different merchandise, including all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and more. Parker has been riding motorcycles for about a decade and knows how important staying safe can be.

What You Need To Know

  •  May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 5,932 motorcyclists were killed in 2021

  •  Safety comes down to knowing your surroundings and wearing protective gear

“I’ve known actually a lot of the guys I ride with and rode with have walked away from going down due to protective gear and I’ve got a couple friends that didn’t walk away,” Parker said.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 5,932 motorcyclists were killed in 2021. Parker says staying safe while riding can be done simply by wearing protective gear.

“It’s probably one of the most important things. Closed toed shoes, most of the time above the ankle almost like a boot, gloves, a helmet is really good like a DOT or ECE rated helmet is really good. I’d also say a good jacket and jeans.”

Parker believes the extra layers protect skin and bones if a rider should go down.

He also said people operating motorcycles and other vehicles should know their surroundings when on the road.

“You know I know people are caught up in their day-to-day life, driving down the road, listening to the radio, windows are up and they just think, I’m going to make a lane change and without looking. Turn the turn signal on real quick and they should look more often as far as trusting the mirror because someone could be sitting right there and you don’t even see them,” he said.

Parker says being more self-aware and aware of the all the other drivers around a person can make a difference in saving lives. For more information about motorcycle safety, visit NHTSA.