With the weather at last trending toward sustained warmth, motorcyclists across our region are pulling their machines out of hibernation and hitting the road. To ensure one of the season’s first rides is not the last, AAA Northeast encourages riders to revisit seasonal maintenance. This is especially critical as AAA responded to tens of thousands of calls for motorcycle roadside assistance last year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourages riders to practice operating a new or unfamiliar motorcycle in a controlled area before riding in traffic. This is good advice for riders who had their bikes stored away during winter, as a test ride provides the chance to reacclimate and check for any changes in handling or needed maintenance.
The last 10 years of NHTSA data shows that June, July and August have the highest rate of fatal motorcycle crashes, accounting for nearly 37% of fatal crashes annually over the same 10-year period.
Motorcyclist fatalities in the U.S. remain high. While motorcyclist fatalities decreased by 2.2% to 6,228 in 2024, they still represent 16% of all traffic fatalities, according to NHTSA. The fatality rate for motorcyclists was 27 times higher than for car passengers in 2024, per 100 million miles traveled. Further, 37% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2024 were speeding compared to 22% of all passenger car drivers.
To prepare for a safe and smooth ride, motorcycle riders should:
- Give motorcycles a fresh oil change and have a certified technician inspect and perform any needed maintenance on brakes, fluid levels, tire pressure and batteries.
- Take steps to improve your visibility. Be sure that the lights are on every time you start the engine. Light-colored gear and reflective material can also help riders be seen by drivers.
- Wear the proper protective gear, every time. NHTSA recommends helmets that meet the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 and have the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet. Riders can also find Snell and ANSI labels inside a helmet, indicating it meets those standards. Especially after a long winter, riders should double check that gear is still in good working order.
AAA Northeast urges drivers to keep motorcyclist safety in mind when sharing the roads, especially during the warmer months.
- Never drive distracted! Be sure to carefully check your surroundings before pulling away from a stop.
- Increase your following distance when driving behind a motorcycle, because they can stop in much shorter distances than cars, trucks and SUVs.
- Be especially careful making left turns and carefully check mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles. Their small size makes seeing oncoming motorcycles especially difficult. Remember that looking twice can save a life.
State-specific data:
In Connecticut, there were 68 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 2024, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository.
In Massachusetts, there were 62 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 2025, according to the Massachusetts IMPACT crash data portal.
In New Jersey, there were 109 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 2024, according to Numetric’s crash data repository.
In New York, there were 189 motorcyclist fatalities in 2024, according to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research.
Last updated on June 2, 2026 by AAA Staff
Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.
