Bikers gather for motorcycle safety

Off the Wire
Biker Rights Issues
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Hundreds of motorcycles surrounded the State Capitol on Sunday. Bikers gathered to kick off motorcycle safety month which begins in May.

An estimated 600 people came out to bring awareness to motorcycle safety. More than one hundred riders died in bike accidents in 2009.

Elizabeth Webb lost her son and little Shaye lost a father. Webb said in April of 2009 someone carelessly drove out in front of Matthew Webb as he rode on his motorcycle. She said that person took Webb's life and changed hers forever.

"He was a good son," said Webb."Living with this is like living in a nightmare. The only time you get away from this is when you're asleep."

According to state police, last year 104 people died in motorcycle accidents in Louisiana. That was a jump from 2008 when the reported deaths were 81.

"We want to leave our house, go take a ride, enjoy our rides and make it home," said Baton Rouge Police

Chief Jeff LeDuff. "Just watch out for us."

Chief LeDuff was in a motorcycle accident himself in late 2009. He said it is time for people to recognize that bikers have rights to the road as well.

"If people would look left, right, then left again, there would be less accidents," said Webb. "There's never a day that goes by that we don't cry."

Webb said the person who hit her son was never charged. A bill, set to be discussed by lawmakers Monday would increase penalties for drivers cited for failure to yield in the right-of-way.

If you are interested in taking a motorcycle operator training course with the Department of Public Safety, you can call 225-925-6113.

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