Spring is in the air and motorcycle riders are hitting the streets after the winter layoff, something all motorists need to be aware of.

The area has already seen a deadly motorcycle accident, lending emphasis to the May is Motorcycle Awareness Month slogan: "Be aware - motorcycles are everywhere."

The Bismarck Police Department and the state's leading motorcycle advocacy organization, ABATE, are stressing the need for safety and watchful alert for motorists, those on four wheels and two.

ABATE, which runs the North Dakota Motorcycle Safety Program, is holding an open house at its Bismarck headquarters on May 6. Visitors will get a look at the Experienced Rider's Course throughout the day. There will also be a ride-in bike show with a people's choice award handed out at 4:30 p.m.

ABATE will offer its basic rider course throughout the spring, summer and fall all over the state, said marketing/promotions director Janet Frost. Upon successful completion of the 17-hour basic course, those who have a valid motorcycle permit receive an endorsement allowing the North Dakota Department of Transportation to waive the skill riding portion of the motorcycle driver's license test.

The basic course is taught in all major North Dakota cities. As many as 50 classes have been taught in Bismarck. NDMSP has about 25 teachers; cost of the basic class is $50. The experienced rider's course is $25. The basic class provides a motorcycle and helmet. Students need to come prepared wearing boots, jeans, long-sleeve shirt, riding gloves and some sort of eye protection.

Frost said the training is invaluable and found herself putting it to use a few years ago.

"It was spring and I was taking a corner too fast. The street sweepers hadn't been out yet, so there was a lot of loose gravel. My back wheel started to lose traction on the pavement. I had a couple of choices - either tangling with some cars or laying my bike down. Because I'd had the class, I made the right choice and laid it down; I'm here today because of that choice," Frost said. "Bikers need to be more defensive in their driving. Right now, motorists are used to seeing us. When an accident does occur, the first thing that comes out it that they didn't see the motorcycle."

NDMSP's basic course provides training on balancing, starting, cornering, swerving, quick stops and tight U-turns, Frost said. She encourages anyone interested to sign up as soon as possible because the classes are filling up fast.

Police Chief Deb Ness said that 75 percent of motorcycle fatalities involved another vehicle, and of those, two out of every three are the fault of the other driver.

The police department offers this advice for motorists:

3 Respect the motorcyclist. They have the same privileges of any vehicle. Provide motorcycle riders a full lane of travel and the same room when passing as a car.

3 Look out for motorcycles on the highway, at intersections, when making a left turn and when changing lanes. Most accidents occur at intersections and most often when the oncoming vehicle makes a left turn in front of the motorcycle.

3 Anticipate a motorcycle's maneuver. Often, obstructions that four-wheel vehicles ignore, such as potholes and debris, cause motorcycles to take evasive actions.

3 Allow plenty of space. Don't follow a motorcycle too closely, and allow enough room for them to take evasive action. Motorcycles can stop in a shorter distance.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)