Law Enforcement Helps Motorcyclists Brush Up On Safe Riding

Motorcycle accidents are an increasing trend.

According to the latest numbers by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 82,000 motorcycle riders were injured in 2010 alone.

More than 4,500 were killed.

This weekend, some of the most highly trained motorcyclists in the area shared their secrets for safe riding.

Some Green Country's finest are teaching about 20 local motorcycle riders everything they know about being safe on the road.

The course is being taught by Broken Arrow and Tulsa Police motorcycle units, with one goal in mind: To reduce crashes.

"As crash investigators, we understand that there is no such thing as a non-injury crash involving a motorcycle," Sergeant Ed Ferguson said.

Ferguson said 80 percent of motorcycle riders are involved in some sort of traffic collision.

"Just a minor crash involving a motorcycle can have life-changing circumstances," he said.

Most of the riders here are taking the course with years of experience under their belts.

Cindy Galbreath is one of those seasoned riders. She's traveled across the country several times, but said she still has a lot to learn.

"If I ever had to get in an emergency situation where I had to weave or get out of the way quickly, I don't know if I'm able to do that," Galbreath said.

One of Galbreath's biggest fears? The uncertainty of those around her.

"I feel confident in my level of driving, but usually not everyone's driving ability around me," she said.

So if your head and eyes are up, everything's on the horizon.

Learning how to anticipate and react to other drivers is one of the many skills these men and women will ride away with.

But the education stretches even further.

"So the purpose behind this course is to teach drivers, not only on motorcycles, to share the road with these motorcyclists because they have just as much right to be there as anyone," Ferguson said.