Road Watch col. For May 3…

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and PennDOT is reminding motorcyclists to fine tune their skills through free motorcycle safety courses.
“Motorcycling requires continued skill-building and practice to ensure safety on the roadways,” says PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler. “These courses offer all riders the opportunity to learn or review valuable safety techniques, which may help decrease their chances of becoming involved in otherwise avoidable crashes.”
Through a contract with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, PennDOT has operated the Motorcycle Safety Program since 1984. Pennsylvania riders who hold a Class M (motorcycle) permit or license can take either the Basic Rider Course or Experienced Rider Course.
Courses are run from March through October at 70 sites across the state. Motorcycle permit holders who successfully complete the course will be issued a motorcycle license.
The 15-hour Basic Rider Course consists of five hours of in-class instruction and 10 hours of practical riding experience on a riding range under the watchful eyes of certified rider coaches. This comprehensive safety and skills overview provides valuable training for new riders and gives experienced riders who have not ridden for some time the opportunity to polish their skills.
Motorcycles and helmets are provided for students taking the basic course.
The Experienced Rider Course is a 6-hour class offering the experienced rider a chance to refresh their safety knowledge and hone their skills on a riding range under the guidance of certified rider coaches. Students taking the latter course must provide their own motorcycles and helmets.
Visit www.pamsp.com for more information on the Motorcycle Safety Program.
Information about obtaining a motorcycle license is available under the Motorcycle Information Center on PennDOT’s Web site, www.dmv.state.pa.us.
Meanwhile, AAA is urging state legislators to reinstate helmet requirements.
The number of registered motorcycles in the state increased in 2008 by more than 30,000, while the number of licensed motorcyclists increased by 15,000.
AAA supports House Bill 1253 sponsored by Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, that would re-establish a motorcycle helmet requirement for motorcycle riders in the state.
About 50 percent of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, according to AAA. In 2008 in the state, motorcycle fatalities increased to 236 from 225 the previous year, PennDOT said.
“Motorcycle helmets, just like seatbelts in cars, save lives,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Catherine Rossi. “The state was wrong to repeal the helmet requirement in 2003 and we hope that lawmakers will re-instate the requirement.”
Bike Month
State Rep. David Kessler, D-Berks, has introduced a House resolution designating May as “Bike Month” in the state. He will speak at a rally in Harrisburg Tuesday that bicyclists from across Pennsylvania will hold at the state Capitol.
Bicyclists are expected from the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg regions, and Berks County, among other areas of the state.
The cyclists are urging support of legislation – House Bill 1110 and Senate Bill 776 – that would require motorists to provide a safe passing distance when passing bicyclists. The bills would also require motorists turning right to yield to bicyclists going straight.
Kessler will also present the rally organizers with a proclamation from Gov. Ed Rendell.
May Bridge Lighting
The Ben Franklin Bridge will have special lighting this month to celebrate Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and the 125th anniversary of Temple University – GO OWLS!
From May 11 to May 17, the bridge will have red lighting to help celebrate the university’s 125th anniversary. Temple is the 28th largest university in the U.S.
Appropriately, on Memorial Day, May 25, the bridge will have its patriotic red, white and blue lighting.
Welcome Center Repairs
The I-95 Welcome Center located on I-95 North in Delaware County, just north of the Pennsylvania/Delaware border, will be closed for pavement repairs starting Tuesday, PennDOT said.
The entrance ramp to the welcome center will close 7 a.m. Tuesday and will reopen noon Friday.
Crews will remove a truck weighing scale and replace concrete pavement at the ramp.
The facility will not be available for access during that time.
Traffic Delays
I-476 South – Ridley Township, Nether Providence, guiderail repairs, left lane closed between Baltimore Pike and I-95, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday.
I-476 North – Nether Providence, Ridley Township and Marple, guiderail repairs, left lane closed between I-95 and U.S. Route 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday.
U.S. Route 322 – Upper Chichester, raised pavement marker installation, left lane closed between I-95 and Bethel Road, 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Monday-Tuesday.
Bethel – Foulk Road, trench restoration, closed/detoured between Garnet Mine and Bethel roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Friday.
Radnor – King of Prussia Road, bridge construction, closed/detoured between Gulph Creek Road and Biddulph Road, 24-hour detour through May 22. Work began April 20.
Marple – Media Line Road, Aqua installation between Lovell Avenue and Highland Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m weekdays through May 29. Work began Jan. 12.
Springfield – Thomson Avenue, Aqua trench restoration between Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May 8. Work began March 30.
Chester — Flower Street, ramp construction with a new traffic pattern at Fourth and Second streets, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Also, Norris Street, ramp construction with lane restrictions at Front Street and Delaware Avenue, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Ridley Park – Ridley Avenue, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Constitution Avenue and Cresswell/Tasker streets 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and through Aug. 28. Work began March 9.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.