Spring Is Here, Time to Ride!

Take the Time to Shake off the Rust

There’s a moment every Southern Ohio rider knows well. The snow is finally gone. You catch the faint smell of spring in the air. You walk out to the garage, pull back the cover, and there she sits — your bike, waiting patiently since October like a loyal old friend. You fire it up. It rumbles to life. And every part of you says go.

We get it. There’s nothing quite like the first ride of the season down a winding stretch of Pike County backroad or along the Scioto River on a warm April afternoon. Riding in Southern Ohio isn’t just transportation — for a lot of people around here, it’s a way of life.

But before you pull out of that driveway, there are a few things worth knowing. Because every spring, right here in Ohio, riders get hurt. Not because they’re reckless. Not because they don’t know how to ride. But because they went from zero to sixty after a long winter off the bike — and their instincts just weren’t quite back yet.

The Numbers Are Real

Thanks to imperialmotorcycles.com for this check sheet!

Ohio recorded 4,023 motorcycle accidents in 2023 alone, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. That’s not a national statistic — that’s right here in our state. And the crashes don’t spread evenly across the calendar. They spike hard in spring, right when riders are heading out for the first time after months away from the saddle.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has noted that US-23 — which runs right through the heart of Southern Ohio — ranks among the state’s most common corridors for serious motorcycle crashes. That’s our road. The one we drive every day.

The good news? A lot of these accidents are preventable.

The Rust Is Real Too

Here’s something experienced riders know but don’t always admit: skills get rusty over winter. Throttle control, counter-steering, low-speed balance, reaction time — these aren’t things you think about consciously when you’re sharp. But after four or five months off the bike, your body has to relearn them.

Please be patient, that first ride of the season isn’t the time to push it. Take the backroads before the highways. Give yourself a parking lot warm-up if it’s been a while. Ride like it’s your second week on a bike, not your twentieth year.

Your confidence will come back fast. But let it come back before you’re doing 60 on US-35.

A Quick Pre-Season Checklist

Before that first ride, walk through these basics:

• Tires — Check pressure and look for cracking or flat spots from sitting
• Brakes — Squeeze them. Feel for sponginess or stiffness
• Fluids — Brake fluid, coolant, and oil don’t last forever over a cold winter
• Lights and signals — Make sure everything works before you need it
• Your gear — Helmet, jacket, gloves. Check for wear. Replace what needs replacing.

Ohio law requires eye protection for all riders and a DOT-approved helmet for riders under 18 and anyone on a novice license (Ohio Revised Code § 4511.53). But honestly? Even if the law doesn’t require a helmet on you specifically, the data makes a strong case for wearing one anyway. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, 72% of motorcyclists killed in Ohio crashes over a recent five-year period were not wearing a helmet. That’s not a small number.

One More Thing

If you do get hurt out there — whether it’s a distracted driver who didn’t see you, a vehicle that pulled out at an intersection, or a road condition that should have been fixed — you have rights under Ohio law.

Warren Law Firm has represented injured motorcycle riders across Southern Ohio for more than 20 years. We know these roads. We know these courts. And we don’t charge you a thing unless we win your case.

Ride safe out there. Southern Ohio is beautiful on two wheels — and we’d like to keep it that way.

Want to go deeper? Read our follow-up articles: Coming soon! 

Shaking Off the Rust: How to Ride Safely After a Long Ohio Winter
What Ohio Motorcycle Riders Need to Know About the Law
Southern Ohio Roads: Beautiful to Ride, With Some Real Dangers

Sources:

Ohio Department of Public Safety, 2023 Motorcycle Crash Data · Ohio State Highway Patrol Motorcycle Safety Bulletin 2023 (five-year data 2018–2022) · Ohio Revised Code § 4511.53 · Ohio State Highway Patrol crash corridor data, US-23 and US-35

Special thanks to Vinit Gupta for the featured image.