LYNN — During Tuesday evening’s City Council meeting, Mayor Jared Nicholson formally proclaimed April 1 through April 30 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Season, calling on residents to remain vigilant and share responsibility on the road.
As warmer weather returns and motorcycles begin to fill local roads, City officials and advocacy groups are ramping up efforts to promote safety across Lynn.
“It is spring here in the city of Lynn, which means that it is that time of year for us to remind everyone to check twice, save a life,” Nicholson said, emphasizing the seasonal rise in motorcycle traffic. “Motorcycles are everywhere.”
In his proclamation, Nicholson highlighted the growing presence of motorcycles not only as a mode of commuting but also for recreation and tourism throughout Lynn and across Massachusetts.
He noted that more than 1,200 motorcycles are owned and operated by Lynn residents, with many more riders traveling through the city each year.
Nicholson highlighted the importance of cooperation among all roadway users — drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians — to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
He stressed that increasing public understanding of traffic laws and shared responsibilities is critical to improving safety outcomes.
Nicholson repeatedly urged drivers to adopt a simple but potentially life-saving habit: “Check twice.” He pointed to common scenarios where extra caution is essential, including pulling out from parked positions, making left turns, and changing lanes. “Check twice for our fellow citizen-bikers of Lynn and visitors to our city,” he said.
The proclamation aligns Lynn with a broader statewide effort, as the mayor joined Gov. Maura Healey in recognizing April as a time dedicated to motorcycle safety awareness.
The designation represents years of work to ensure consistent recognition of the issue. Paul Cote, a member of Bikers Helping Bikers, reflected on how far the movement has come.
“Prior to 2000, we had to beg the governor to do something,” Cote said, explaining that early efforts to secure official acknowledgment often fell short, even as motorcycle use increased.
According to Cote, advocates eventually pursued legislative action to formalize the recognition.
“There’s over 500 proclamations by law, so we filed a bill,” he said, noting that the effort gained traction with support from lawmakers, including former state senator and mayor of Lynn Thomas McGee. “So now it’s a law that the governor has to do it.”
While statewide recognition is important, Cote emphasized that the real impact happens at the community level.
“We go to the local communities with riders from the community… just raising awareness,” he said. “Because all politics (are) local, all issues are local.”
Bikers Helping Bikers plays a central role in that grassroots outreach.
The organization works in partnership with state and local agencies, advocacy groups, and community leaders to promote motorcycle safety through the “Check Twice – Save a Life” campaign.
Their efforts focus not only on prevention, but also on supporting riders and families affected by serious accidents, helping them navigate challenges ranging from insurance claims to organizing community support.
As Lynn enters the height of riding season, officials and advocates alike are urging residents to take the message seriously. With more motorcycles on the road, they say, heightened awareness and small changes in driver behavior can make a significant difference.
The message, repeated throughout the proclamation and echoed by local riders, is simple but urgent: Check twice and help save a life.
