JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A popular motorcycle safety course is set to begin today in Jamestown.

American Bikers Aiming Toward Education (ABATE) holds numerous safety courses over the year across North Dakota.

Lonnie Bertsch is with the Motorcycle Safety Program and Executive Director of ABATE of North Dakota. He says those who go through the course are better able to maneuver state roads and highways.

Bertsch says their course will run the length of the week with five beginner classes and one for experienced riders.

Motorcycle safety continues to be extremely important. According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation, 210 motorcycle crashes occurred in 2018. This resulted in 16 fatalities and 166 injuries. This equates to a motorcycle crash every 1.7 days.

And even more motorcycles are hitting the road. Over the past 10 years, the number of motorcycle licensed drivers in North Dakota has increased 36%.

For more on ABATE of North Dakota, click here.

Listen to a full Let’s Talk About It with Lonnie Bertsch below: