Motorcycle collisions on rise in Long Beach

There’s not a week that goes by without Eesto Nuno hearing about a motorcyle accident. Bent forks. Broken radiators. The technician at Long Beach Motorcycle Repair near 4th Street and Alamitos Avenue has repaired all maer of busted up bikes.

“I’ve just been lucky so far,” Nuno said of not getting into an accident himself.

Motorcycle-involved collisions spiked more than 10 percent last year in Long Beach, with 137 crashes. In the last five years, only 2012 saw more motorcycle-involved collisions, with 138.

The Long Beach Police Department periodically conducts special motorcycle safety enforcement operations, funded by the Califoia Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Officers crack down on motorcycle riders and motorists who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal tus or other dangerous violations.

The Police Department recommends motorcyclists ride with lights on during daylight hours, change lanes only when there is ample room and match speed to the surrounding traffic.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and there are plenty of training schools in Southe Califoia to help new bikers stay safe on the road, or to help veteran riders brush up on their skills.

Mike Zunker, general manager at Saddleback Rider Training in Orange County, said a common challenge for motorcyclists is navigating intersections, especially when cars tu left in a rider’s right-of-way.

In Long Beach specifically, Zunker said with construction ongoing in various parts of the city, motorists may not be aware of the altered traffic pattes, so those who ride motorcycles need to be prepared for drivers making unusual moves.

The main thing, he said, is to be responsible on the road, and remain visible.

“You can’t control other people’s behavior, but you can control your preparedness for a situation that may develop,” Zunker said. “Also, one of the things is visibility, just being seen, because you are smaller than all of the other vehicles. Wearing vests and riding gear, that helps improve your visibility. And choosing a lane position on the road that’s going to enhance the opportunity for others to see you.”

Nuno said some motorcycle riders can give the whole group a bad name. Most of the crashed motorcycles he sees are sports bikes, although Nuno gets the occasional Harley-Davidson, such as a recent one that was brought in by a “kid being irresponsible.”

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Nuno rides a 2003 Yamaha Road Star, a bike he says is loud, but sometimes can’t get the attention of drivers when passing them.

“Check your side mirrors, and use your blinkers,” is the advice he gives motorists. “(Road Stars) are loud, but people have their music up loud, and they still can’t hear them.”

Safety officials urge riders get training through the Califoia Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at www.cmsp.msi5.com or 1-877 RIDE 411 (1-877-743-3411).