Watch for motorcycles, IDOT reminds drivers

Out cruising on I-90 last June, Earl Hobbs didn't feel invisible but that's what his motorcycle was to the driver in the next lane.

Chatting on a cell phone, the driver changed lanes completely oblivious to the Rolling Meadows biker and two of his friends.

“I hit my air horn — she just kept coming,” said Hobbs, 72, a retired officer with the Gold Wing Road Riders Association.

“She pushed me off onto the shoulder. Although everyone was able to react and take evasive action it was close.”

Hobbs was lucky. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 129 motorcyclists, including passengers, died last year in crashes, 14 percent of the 921 vehicle fatalities in the state.

As the riding season gears up, IDOT officials and motorcycling safety advocates Wednesday urged drivers to watch out for bikers.

In 2009, there were 130 motorcycle fatalities in Illinois, including several high-profile suburban deaths linked to careless driving.

Anita Zaffke of Lake Zurich died in May 2009 when her motorcycle was hit by a woman painting her nails. Bikers Wade and Denise Thomas of St. Charles also were killed that May when a woman who was allegedly texting caused a chain-reaction crash in Elburn.

Illinois State Police Sgt. Rich Kozik described being sidelined by a driver switching lanes in spring 2009 while he was on patrol.

“The driver wasn't looking and unfortunately I was there,” he said. Kozik received minor injuries and underwent knee surgery. The driver told him she hadn't seen his motorcycle.

IDOT also is promoting a “Gear-Up” campaign encouraging motorcycle riders to take a free training course, wear the proper attire and refrain from drinking and driving — a factor in 40 percent of motorcycle fatalities.

“Some people think you can just jump on a motorcycle and ride,” said biker Dan Harper, vice president of A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education. “That's why we stress education and getting your M Class on your driver's license.”

Motorcycle riders who aim for fashion instead of wearing helmets and protective leather clothing sacrifice safety, he added. “When you slide across the pavement at 30 mph wearing shorts, a tank top and flip flops, it's like holding your flesh to a belt-sander.”

IDOT regulations and training unit manager Terry Redman, 57, described a surge in ridership among men in his age group eager to renew old times.

“They've got their mortgage paid off and their kids are out of college. They're got extra income and they buy a bike. But their reflexes are slower and the bikes are bigger.”

IDOT is offering free motorcycle training for new riders or people who need a refresher course. For more, visit startseeingmotorcycles.org.