ABATE reminding motorists to look out for motorcycles on the road following recent fatal accidents

SOUTH BEND, Ind.— It’s motorcycle safety and awareness month in Indiana.

As the temperature rises, many bikers are busting their bikes bake out for riding season.

Michiana biker communities have seen a number of tragedies have seen a number of tragedies in the past weeks, with a rise in fatal crashes, including one on Ironwood Road just north of W. Cleveland Road in South Bend, involving an SUV and a motorcycle early Thursday morning.

Another fatal crash in Elkhart this Thursday, hitting too close to home for Jeff Flora, the owner of Flora Racingheads in South Bend, that works closely with the Motorcycle community, and a friend of the victim in Tuesday’s crash, 61-year-old, long time motorcyclist, Donny Pickett of South Bend.

Flora, has been working on bikes on South Bend’s Westside for over 30 years, and his relationship with motorcycles goes back even further than that.

He spent many years racing, wearing a helmet, but he and ABATE believe motorcycle safety goes beyond that.

Which is why ABATE, American Bikers Aiming Towards Education is reminding both motorists and motorcyclists the importance of See and Be seen this Motorcycle Awareness Month.

“We want to get the drivers conscious riders are back on the road…and make sure motorcyclists are doing everything they can to make themselves visible…..unfortunately we find in multiple crashes involving motorcycles. Its generally the car truck automobile.. that hasn't seen the motorcycle that is at fault for violating the right of way,” said Jay Jackson the Executive Director.

For more information on Motorcycle safety, and the chance to register for classes you can visit their website.