In the past three weeks, two people have died in motorcycle accidents in Central Texas. Now that summer is approaching, it's a good idea for motorcyclists, as well as those they share the road with, to be aware of each other.
Jimmy Connor fell in love with the feeling of freedom 35 years ago, after riding a motorcycle for the very first time.
"It's just fun, it really is. It's just unexplainable unless you actually do it," Connor said.
While riding is fun for Connor, he also knows his hobby can be dangerous.
"The problems are those who think that motorcycling is a game all the time and it's not a game," Connor said.
"In Texas, and in Austin in particular, there have been an increasing number of motorcycle crashes and fatalities," Department of Public Safety spokesperson Clif Burdette said.
Safety courses are required for new riders, but the Department of Public Safety believes they're also a good idea for experienced ones.
"Maybe their skills are not as good as they used to be. They may think they are but they're probably not," Burdette said.
Connor said he thought he knew all there was to know about biking until he took a course a few years back. He's now teaching those skills to other motorcyclist.
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Bike safety
With biking season on the way, it's important for old and new bikers to know how to be safe.
 
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"I want everybody to know. There's a lot of bad habits you can break before you get them," Connor said.
But safety is not only the responsibility of people on motorcycles -- those in cars need to be careful too.
"We highly encourage car drivers to give a second look whenever they're making a lane change on the freeway or pulling out from an intersection. Take a second look and make sure there's not a motorcycle [there and] that you're going to get into their space," Burdette said.
It's also important for drivers to remember that going without a helmet is illegal unless the driver is over 21 years of age and has completed the required safety training. Still, DPS recommends wearing a helmet at all times.
