No one is surprised when safety organizations cite the need for motorcyclists to exercise extreme care on the road, as well as for other motorists to be vigilant in their awareness of bikers. For obvious reasons, accidents involving motorcycle riders often result in comparatively severe injuries and a high fatality rate.

According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, 2010 has been a particularly sobering year thus far for bikers, with 87 of them having been killed on state roadways as of July 26. That compares to 81 fatalities last year at this time.

The state Department of Transportation suggests that maybe a motorcycle safety course is in order, especially during summer months, when bikers are on the road in higher numbers than at any other time of the year.

Mark Gainer is a state safety instructor, and highly recommends the course. He says that individuals who have never taken a course account for 90 percent of motorcycle fatalities. "They have not received any proper training," he says, "on proper braking, how to swerve, and those types of things that we are teaching here."

Both a basic-rider course and an experienced-rider course are offered through Motorcycle Ohio. In the former course, a bike, helmet and workbook is provided. The organization states that the course is "of great value" to beginners and more experienced riders. A prerequisite is a temporary motorcycle learner's permit or bike endorsement on a driver's license. For the latter course, at least six months of riding experience is required, and participants must bring their own bikes. The course offers five hours of what Motorcycle Ohio describes as "intensive hands-on" motorcycle training.

Related Resources: nbc4i.com "Fatal Motorcycle Crashes on the Rise" July 26, 2010