Warmer temperatures mean more Kentuckians are out riding motorcycles, biking, and driving on state roads. May is recognized as Motorcycle and Bike Safety Awareness Month, and Team Kentucky is encouraging everyone to be alert and courteous on the road to keep all travelers safe.
Governor Andy Beshear reminds residents that safety is a shared responsibility, emphasizing that watching out for each other can save lives. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is joining the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to raise awareness for roadway safety, especially for those on motorcycles and bicycles.
Kentucky saw 1,490 motorcycle crashes in 2025, leading to 1,092 injuries and 114 fatalities, with 109 of those deaths being motorcyclists. Compared to last year, motorcycle crashes and injuries dropped by more than ten percent, but there were eight more deaths, and three more motorcyclists lost their lives. Multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes also decreased by eight percent.
There were 465 crashes involving bicycles, resulting in 305 injuries and 10 deaths. While bicycle crashes and injuries increased from 2025, the overall number of roadway fatalities in Kentucky fell by two from 2024.
Officials urge drivers to check mirrors and blind spots, especially when changing lanes or turning. Motorcyclists and bicyclists are advised to wear helmets and reflective gear, stay alert, and signal turns. All road users are encouraged to obey speed limits and traffic laws, and to drive sober.
To promote safety, the RideSmartKY program continues to offer beginner to advanced-level rider training at 11 locations across the state.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety runs the program, with oversight from the Motorcycle Safety Education Commission. Since 1992, it’s offered safety training to both new and experienced riders statewide.
