With spring — at least once we get through this current cold snap — comes flowers in bloom, bird chirping, the sounds of bats hitting baseballs and so on. Including the roar of motorcycles

For many people, the end of winter and arrival of spring’s milder weather means getting their motorcycles out of storage and heading out on the highway. Those who are active on social media to any extent have probably seen the memes cautioning drivers to be aware of motorcycles on the road. There are also plenty of drivers who use bumper stickers to remind others about looking out for riders.

It’s good advice, because among the surest signs of spring and summer in Northeast Ohio are the roar of motorcycles and, sadly, the news of motorcycle-involved crashes. The area saw one of its first such tragedies last month, when a Champion Township man died in a crash on Route 5. That particular crash apparently did not involve another vehicle, but speed — according to an Ohio State Highway Patrol report — appears to have been a factor.

The tri-county area, made up of Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties, has had 912 motorcycle-involved crashes over the last five years, dating back to Jan. 1, 2020.

Trumbull County had 412 crashes during that time frame, followed by Mahoning County (280) and Columbiana (227). Some of them proved fatal.

State Farm’s website lists some ways motorcycle riders can avoid accidents, including having your bike inspected and serviced regularly and taking a safety course, especially for those new to riding. It couldn’t hurt for those who have ridden for years to get a refresher each year. Situational awareness, such as knowing about upcoming intersections and changing traffic patterns, also can help riders stay safe.

But even motorcycle enthusiasts who do everything right are sometimes injured, maimed or killed through no fault of their own when others on the road lack situational awareness or drive recklessly.

Sometimes other drivers become threats to motorcycle riders without ever intending to be because they’re not paying attention or don’t see a motorcycle until it’s too late. Just such a crash took the life of actor Treat Williams, 71, on June 12, 2023, in Dorset, Vermont. Williams was killed when a southbound driver tried to make a left turn into a parking lot and drove into the path of the actor’s northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle.

That same scenario happens all too often. The risks rise exponentially in the spring and summer months, when motorcycles are back on the road en masse. Start looking for them. If you ride, do it safely and always be wary of other riders and other vehicles.