WHEREAS, Motorcycle riding is a popular form of efficient transportation and recreation for more than 1,000,000 Californians. Motorcycles account for less than 5 percent of registered vehicles in the United States, and they travel approximately 21,000,000 miles each year. Motorcycles provide a means of transportation that uses fewer resources, causes less wear and tear on public roadways, and increases available parking areas; and

WHEREAS, Through the Department of the California Highway Patrol’s California Motorcyclist Safety Program, the state trained over 57,000 riders in 2016, and 1,100,000 since the start of the program, along with the assistance of the California Office of Traffic Safety, through education, and the Department of Transportation’s message boards. These efforts led to an 11.5 percent decrease in motorcycle fatalities, while at the same time, total traffic fatalities in California increased by 4 percent, and nationwide motorcycle fatalities increased by an average of 10 percent. California leads the way in training and safety for motorcyclists and we are saving lives; and

WHEREAS, It is important that drivers of all vehicles be aware of one another and learn to share the road and practice courtesy; and

WHEREAS, The American Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education - ABATE of California, American Motorcyclist Association, Bay Area Riders Forum, Modified Motorcycle Association, and the California Motorcycle Dealers Association are organizations that actively promote the safe operation of motorcycles, advocate for more rider training courses through California Highway Patrol provider Total Control Training, and advocate increasing motorist recognition of motorcycles; now, therefore, be it