ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - State officials say motorcycle ridership
in Minnesota is at a record high level.
     The Department of Public Safety says there are more than 404,000
licensed operators in the state and nearly 230,000 registered
motorcycles.
     One of the state's core traffic safety initiatives is motorcycle
safety. Biker deaths account for about 10 percent of Minnesota's
total traffic fatalities annually. Forty-one riders lost their
lives last year. That compares with a 24-year high of 72 fatalities
in 2008.
     The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center says a majority of fatal
motorcycle crashes result from rider error. The center is promoting
its training courses to improve a rider's skill level. Registration
can be found online at MotorcycleSafety.org.