Bullard Mayor A.W. Hines stopped reading the official proclamation at Tuesday's City Council meeting to offer his own experience with motorcycles.

"I used to own a Harely Davidson," Hines said. "And I understand the importance of safety."

Hines said he'd had a few scares with other motorists not paying attention - enough that he got rid of the bike a few years ago.

"I gave it to my son," he said. "But now I worry about him because sometimes people don't notice motorcyclists.

"I admire what you are doing to promote motorcycle safety," he told the group of Tyler Longriders assembled at the meeting.

Hines then signed the proclamation and gave it to the group.

That afternoon an influx of motorcyclists took the down- -town route in Bullard to further their cause in honor of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Bullard residents Terian and Jimmy Edwards - members of Tyler's Longriders Club - spearheaded the effort complete with the proclamation signed by Hines.

"The campaign is intended to heighten awareness, encourage other drivers to share the roadways and be cautious and observe motorcycles," Jimmy said.

-- Bullard Banner photo by Kelly Griffith-Fields Members of Tyler's Longriders Motorcycle Club, including Bullard residents Jimmy and Terian Edwards await a mayor's proclamtion on Tuesday. This, the two said, is especially important now as many people are moving toward motorcycles as a way to save on gasoline.

"We are encouraging drivers to share the road," Terian said. "We're promoting safety - both for bikers and motorists.

"Some drivers just glance; we're asking them to look carefully."

Onlookers will get the opportunity to look carefully about 6 p.m. Tuesday when the group will tour downtown.

Motorcycle riders now account for one out of every 10 U.S. road fatalities each year - with motorcyclist deaths from traffic crashes rising each of the last eight years.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,553 motorcyclists lost their lives in fatal highway crashes in 2005.

Of those, 56 percent involved another vehicle in addition to the motorcycle in the crash.

Longrider's stand outside city hall after receiving a proclamation from Mayor A.W. Hines. That's why the Longriders are joining with other federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement organizations in proclaiming May 2007 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

All motorists are reminded to safely "Share the Road" with motorcycles and to be extra alert when driving to help keep motorcyclists safe.

"With warmer weather here, more motorcycles are back on the roads. Drivers of passenger vehicles need to be extra alert," Jimmy said. "Motorcycles are the smallest vehicles on the road so folks in other vehicles need to really look out for them-and to take extra care to safely 'Share the Road.'"

According to the Edwards', motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle's blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size.

"It's crucial that motorists always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections," Terian said.

Jimmy said that motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in the event of a crash.

He said that research shows that approximately 80 percent of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a motorcycle rider, while only 20 percent of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in their vehicle.

The Edwards are also asking local businesses to contribute by purchasing "Share the Road" signs.

"We already have 12 signs in Tyler and eight in Jacksonville," he said. "We would be proud if our hometown contributed as well.

Signs cost $100 and may be purchased at Road Runner Traffic Supply in Fort Worth, but Edwards said any contribution would help.

For more information on contributing, call 903-539-0214.

The duo offered several tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:

!Remember the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle on the roadway. Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width-never try to share a lane;

! Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections;

! Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic;

! Don't be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle - motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off;

! Allow more following distance, three or four seconds, when following a motorcycle, so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.

Jimmy said motorcyclists have responsibilities, too, by following the rules of the roadway, being alert to other drivers, and always wearing protective gear.

"All too often after a crash, the drivers of other vehicles involved say they never saw the motorcyclist and were unable to respond in time," he said. "This is no excuse. Too many lives are being lost. Our message to all drivers is: make this the first year in recent years when motorcycle fatalities do not increase. Do your part by safely 'Sharing the Road' with motorcycles."