Safety Report - March 2026

Gary Klinker

Statistics

I just returned from the Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program Spring Kick-off Meeting. Today it is starting to feel like Spring, but here are some figures from 2025 that should interest all of us. Some of this was presented at Officer Training so if you saw it there it wouldn’t hurt to reinforce the information. We should all be concerned about motorcycle safety and crashes.

In 2025 there were 93 motorcycle fatalities. This compares with 540 fatalities of all motor vehicles. The 93 fatals are a drop from the previous year, but still unacceptable. There were also 1555 injuries in motorcycle crashes. Three of the fatalities were deer crashes. 15% had no motorcycle endorsement. 27 of the 93 were suspected of drug or alcohol impairment at the time of the crash. There were 1040 single bike crashes-failure to be able to control a bike. We are the people who have got to fix these numbers, or the government will do it for us!

On the brighter side of the statistics, in Wisconsin last year there were 1025 rider ed classes. 6778 students passed with a passing rate of 93.9 %. Females made up 25% of the students in the BRCs, but only 7% in the BRC2 classes.

35% of students were 18-24 years old and 25% were 25-34 years old. These are potential ABATE members.

I know, not very exciting reading, but as active and involved motorcyclists, these numbers should be information we all are aware of. You don’t have to be a Rider Coach or an ABATE officer to be involved in defending our lifestyle and our rider rights. Those who oppose us are well aware of this information and will use it against us.

The Safe Rider season kicks off April 25 with our first class of the year. That day is also the date for the Region 1F Knock the Rust Off day. Check the 1F report or Facebook for details. It is a good chance to get the bike out and brush up on your skills for the coming season. I will see you there.

In the meantime, get your gear and bike ready for riding season. It may be here by the time you read this. Above all, get your mind right for a safe riding season. It is up to each of us.

Ride Safe,

Gary