A local organization is making a timely effort to promote motorcycle safety.
And not just for bikers, but for nonriders, too.
Cindy Hartley, president of the Washington County branch of the state Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE), recently addressed driver education students at Monessen High School.
Hartley, a Charleroi resident, was spreading the word about "Operation Save-a-Life," which is designed to teach people who don't ride motorcycles to understand more about bikers' tendencies and methods of navigating roadways.
In the seminars, Hartley offers tips and facts about motorcycle use, emphasizing that the vehicles are not toys.
Regardless of how you feel about motorcycles, the truth is that there are a lot of them on the roads right here in the Mid-Mon Valley.
"From what I understand, this area has more motorcyclists than any other part of Pennsylvania," Hartley said.
For that reason alone, learning more about how they operate is a smart thing to do.
There have been far too many motorcycle accidents and fatalities in the Valley in recent weeks.
If we all learn how to safely share the road with them, we'll all be better off.
To schedule a safety seminar, call Hartley at (724) 483-0924.
