We live near the beginning of a mecca for motorcyclists who come to the Texas Hill Country from across the continent to ride the fabled Twisted Sisters route.
Often we talk with bikers, usually at Keese’s BBQ for breakfast as they are pumped with adrenaline and excited about adventure.
Newbies usually ask for advice. Veteran riders of Highways 337, 336 and 335 (the “Sisters”) regularly warn them of particular hot spots.
“If the speed limit says 20, go 19,” is frequently advised.
“Just be smart. Watch for deer. Enjoy,” is another common instruction. “We are here to enjoy this. Soak it up. It’s not a race.”
Residents of this region stay on the lookout knowing bikers, RVers, sports car enthusiasts and campers can be plenty. Awareness is key.
When we see a motorcycle on the road, we know it’s not just a bike – it carries someone’s best friend, someone’s child, someone’s parent, someone’s spouse. Nearly 600 people riding motorcycles were killed in crashes in Texas in 2023, and more than 2,400 riders were seriously injured.
One of those hurt was Al Peterson, a Leander man who almost died last May when another driver turned left in front of him. Peterson was thrown 20 yards from his motorcycle and fractured several ribs, his left leg, pelvis, and suffered severe internal injuries. The crash nearly took him away from his wife and three children.
Motorcycles are smaller and harder to spot, which is why taking an extra moment to double check for them can mean the difference between life and death.
The number of motorcyclists killed in 2023 increased by 7% from the year before, and intersection fatal crashes increased by 21%. Drivers can help stop this rising trend by always looking twice for motorcycles, because there’s a life riding on it.
“It can be hard to judge the distance, size and speed of a motorcycle, which is why we need to pay extra attention when sharing the road,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “We want everyone to get home safe, and that means drivers should be on the lookout for motorcycles and give them adequate space, especially when turning.”
To help prevent crashes:
- Check yourself. Always remind yourself to keep an eye out for any motorcycles nearby. This will help your eyes and brain notice motorcycles on the road.
- Look twice. Use turn signals and check blind spots before changing lanes.
- Turning left? Avoid turning in front of an oncoming motorcycle. It can be hard to judge their speed and distance, so let them pass first and always use your turn signal to alert them.
- Pay special attention at intersections. More than a third of all motorcycle fatalities happen at roadway intersections.
- Make some space. Keep a safe following distance. Motorcyclists can reduce their speed by downshifting, which doesn’t activate the brake light. Treat motorcycles like cars by giving them a full lane when driving or passing.
- Slow down. Obey posted speed limits and drive according to conditions.
- Stay alert. Give driving your full attention. Even a momentary distraction can have deadly consequences.
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Loralyn ‘Dodie’ & Jack Dennis
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I agree that drivers should watch out for motorcyclists. However, I don’t know how motorcyclists ride in Texas but some around here do crazy things. I was going about 65 mph going north and was being passed by a semi going north. There were only 2 lanes going north. A motorcycle passed between us. Fortunately, nothing happened because if anything had happened he would have been dead.
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Terrifying.
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Part of the problem is that many drivers of vehicles/motorcycles treat road signs as suggestions. For instance, stop signs and right turn on reds are all “coast throughs” and that doesn’t give drivers enough time to catch mistakes.
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I’m not a fan of motorcycles. I’ve lost too many people I love in motorcycle accidents, including my son who would be 38 today. He left behind my beautiful daughter-in-law, his young daughter who was 4, and his baby boy who was 8 months old, along with many family members and friends. While it’s been 9 years since we lost him, the hole in my heart will never be filled. We all miss him terribly.
I have many friends who have motorcycles, and for the most part they are careful and responsible riders. But what chaps my butt is the people (mostly young men) who fly by at high speeds on ninja-like bikes, weaving in and out of traffic, and even between vehicles on major highways. I simply pray for their moms who will likely get that horrible knock on their door one day.
Did you know that motorcycles can be purchased without a valid motorcycle license or any kind of training? I’ve been told that Harley Davidson requires people to take their safety driving course before allowing them to purchase a motorcycle. Why don’t other dealerships require this? If they did, my son may be alive today.
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I am so very sorry about your son. God bless your family.
I too have lost relatives and friends. My father actually owned a cycle repair shop from 1972-77. I quit riding them right before I was to become a dad in 1983.
Like you, it terrifies me when I see them driving that way. Once, I pulled over off the road and waited a few minutes because I didn’t want to see a crash. It was inevitable. I drove to a nearby gas station to go the restroom, then proceeded to get back on the road. Not even 10 minutes later I passed the crash scene.
Again I am so very sorry.
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