Assembly Resolution No. 884

BY: M. of A. Rules (Lupardo)

MEMORIALIZING Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2022,
as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2022, as Motorcycle
Safety and Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Each year, motorcycle riders are killed by drivers who do
not see them; greater public awareness must be achieved in an effort to
reduce the numbers of fatalities; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, there were 5,579 motorcyclists killed in traffic
crashes, an 11% increase from 2019, when 5,044 were killed; furthermore,
motorcyclist deaths accounted for 14% of the total highway fatalities
that year; and

WHEREAS, The number of motorcyclists is increasing yearly; further
education is necessary in an effort to teach riders to become more aware
of safety issues and possible road hazards; and

WHEREAS, Research shows that motorcyclists are significantly
overrepresented in traffic crashes and fatalities each year; in 2020,
per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists were about 28 times more likely
than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and
were four times more likely to be injured; and

WHEREAS, Motorcyclists 55 years-old and older accounted for 27% of
motorcyclists killed in 2020; over the 10-year period from 2011- 2020,
motorcyclist fatalities among this age group increased by 37%; in 2011,
the average age of motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes was 42,
whereas in 2020, the average age was 43; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious safety issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, state and national levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2022, as Motorcycle
Safety and Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.