Fatal motorcycle crash among recent string raises safety concerns

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — As temperatures rise across the region, more motorcyclists are returning to the roads, and safety is top of mind following a string of serious crashes. In just over a week, three serious motorcycle accidents have been reported locally, including one fatal, raising concerns among riders and drivers alike. At Total Cycle on East Henrietta Road, owner Mike Papa says the seasonal increase in riders means everyone on the road needs to be more alert. “You have to be on your game. You have to watch everything. You have to have eyes in the back of your head,” Papa said. A longtime rider, Papa says motorists often need time to readjust to sharing the road with motorcycles after the winter months. “They have to watch out for the other drivers, and be very cautious because now they’re not used to having motorcycles on the road again,” he said. “Motorcycles can come up quick, and they’re real easy to lose in a mirror because they’re so small. Sometimes you gotta look two or three times to see what’s going on.” Papa also emphasized the importance of proper protective gear for riders, saying it can make a critical difference in a crash. “Good jacket. A nice helmet, face shield, gloves,” he said. “When you hit the ground, you’re not going to just have raw meat getting tore up.” With more motorcycles expected on the road in the coming weeks, safety advocates are urging both riders and drivers to stay vigilant and take extra precautions.