While Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi said there haven’t been any motorcyclist deaths in the county this year, at least 22 motorbikers have been killed on Minnesota roads since Jan. 1, according to preliminary reports from the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.

The 22 deaths reflect a nearly 30 percent increase in deaths, compared to 17 at this time in 2010. Last year, there were 45 rider deaths, a 15 percent drop from 53 in 2009. In 2008, the 74 deaths marked a 24-year high in riders killed. Riders ages 40–64 accounted for 64 percent of deaths in 2010.

“A big concern is that August and September are typically high-traffic and high-fatal months for riders,” said Bill Shaffer, DPS Office of Traffic Safety motorcycle program coordinator. “Riders and motorists need to share the road and be watchful of each other.”

Shaffer adds there are more motorcycles on the road than ever — there are more than 229,000 registered bikes in Minnesota.

The DPS advises motorists to watch carefully for motorcycles in traffic, and always look twice before turning or changing lanes. Riders are advised to wear protective gear, travel at safe speeds, pay attention and ride sober.

DPS advises that riders seek safety training at www.motorcyclesafety.org, wear high-visibility riding gear and watch for deer. Two riders have died this year in crashes with deer.

22 motorcyclist deaths breakdown:

• By month: One in April; five in May; seven in June; and nine in July, including four on July 21 and 22.
• Twenty were motorcycle operators, 19 were male; two were passengers, both female.
• Five victims were wearing helmets. (The status of helmet use was reported only in 16 of the 22 deaths.)
• Eighteen were age 40 or older. The age range of all fatalities was 26 to 85.
• Thirteen fatal crashes occurred outside the seven-county metro area. Multiple deaths by county: Crow Wing, two; Dakota, two; Hennepin, two; Nicollet, two; Scott, three; and, Washington, two. One death occurred each in Carlton, Dodge, Houston, Itasca, Le Sueur, Mille Lacs, Olmsted, Rice and Winona.