Virginia Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, motorcycling is a great American tradition enjoyed by an estimated 30 million people annually, representing approximately 9 percent of the population; and

WHEREAS, Virginia is home to one of the nation’s most prominent motorcycle populations with more than 190,000 registered motorcycles and over 428,000 licensed motorcyclists; and

WHEREAS, motorcycles are a valuable component of the transportation mix; and

WHEREAS, motorcycles are fuel-efficient and decrease congestion while having little impact on our state’s transportation infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, the motorcycling community promotes rider safety, education, licensing, and motorcycle awareness; and

WHEREAS, the motorcycling community is committed to decreasing motorcycle crashes through training and safety education, personal responsibility, and increased public awareness; and

WHEREAS, crashes involving motorcycles are more likely to result in fatalities or serious injuries than those solely involving passenger vehicles; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, there were more than 2,100 motorcycle crashes on Virginia roads with 125 riders killed and 738 seriously injured; and

WHEREAS, motorcycle awareness is beneficial to all road users and will help decrease motorcycle crashes; and

WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration promotes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to encourage riders to be properly licensed, receive training, wear personal protective equipment, and to remind all riders and motorists to always share the road;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 2024, as VIRGINIA MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations