Motorcycle safety isn’t just a buzzword in Texas. With over 9,000 motorcycle crashes reported in 2024 alone, resulting in 581 fatalities and 2,534 serious injuries, the Lone Star State faces a critical challenge: protecting riders while balancing its reputation for open roads and freedom.
But behind the grim statistics lies a robust network of initiatives aimed at saving lives. From VR-powered awareness campaigns to mandatory training courses, Texas is pushing boundaries to make riding safer.
The “Look Twice” Campaign: Texas’s 15-Year Battle for Awareness
If you’ve driven through Texas lately, you’ve likely seen TxDOT’s iconic “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” billboards or heard its radio PSAs. This campaign, active since 2007, targets car and truck drivers with a simple message: motorcycles are easy to miss, so double-check blind spots and intersections.
- 40% of fatal motorcycle crashes in Texas occur at intersections, often because drivers fail to see riders or misjudge their speed.
- Real stories, like that of Brendan Johnson, a rider killed in a collision, personalize the stakes. His donated jacket became a campaign symbol, plastered with the haunting driver’s admission: “I didn’t see him.”
TxDOT’s toolkit includes bilingual materials (English/Spanish), social media blitzes, and partnerships with programs like #EndTheStreakTX, which aims to eliminate daily traffic deaths. But the standout innovation? Virtual reality (VR).
VR: Stepping Into a Rider’s Boots
In 2024, TxDOT partnered with Euphoria XR to launch a traveling VR exhibit. Participants don goggles to experience two perspectives:
- Driver’s view: Shows how motorcycles vanish in blind spots.
- Rider’s view: Simulates high-risk scenarios (e.g., left-turn collisions) to emphasize vulnerability.
The result? Rave reviews for its “empathy-building” impact. As one TxDOT rep noted, “It’s harder to ignore a motorcycle after you’ve virtually lived the danger.” But here’s the catch: this VR tool is for awareness, not formal training. While it’s a leap forward, Texas hasn’t yet integrated VR into its licensing curriculum—a gap we’ll explore later.
Texas’s Rider Training Framework
Texas mandates that all motorcycle license applicants complete a TDLR-approved safety course. The structure is rigorous but practical:
1. Basic RiderCourse (BRC)
- Who it’s for: New riders.
- What’s included: 3–6 hours of online modules + 10–11 hours of on-cycle training.
- Skills covered: Emergency braking, swerving, low-speed maneuvers, and risk assessment.
- Cost: $280–$295, with training bikes (typically 250cc) provided.
Student feedback (from Reddit and Google Reviews) highlights:
- Pros: Patient instructors, confidence-building drills, and the perk of skipping the DPS skills test.
- Cons: Brutal Texas heat during summer sessions. One rider joked, “I learned to clutch—and sweat—like a pro.”
2. Advanced RiderCourse (ARC)
For seasoned riders, the MSF Advanced RiderCourse focuses on cornering, trail braking, and hazard avoidance. Schools like El Paso Community College even offer specialized courses mimicking police-level precision drills. Yet, advanced training remains optional—a missed opportunity, according to safety advocates.
The Unspoken Challenges
Texas’s training infrastructure isn’t perfect. Riders report two key hurdles:
- Heat exhaustion: With 10+ hours of range time in full gear, summer courses can be grueling. Some schools shift sessions to cooler months, but there’s no statewide protocol.
- Transitioning to personal bikes: Passing the BRC on a 250cc bike doesn’t prepare you for a Harley Road King. While courses like the BRC2 let you practice on your own bike, they’re post-license—leaving new riders vulnerable during the adaptation phase.
Then there’s the unlicensed riders. In 2023, 55% of motorcycle fatalities involved unendorsed operators. Texas’s response? The “Unlicensed to Ride” project which sends postcards to unlicensed riders and sponsors training scholarships. Early results show an 8% increase in licensure—a step forward, but sustained funding is crucial.
Policy and Funding
Texas’s Highway Safety Plan (HSP) 2024–2026 allocates ~$1.8 million annually to motorcycle safety, split between:
- NHTSA grants (federal funds for awareness campaigns).
- State funds (supporting training and the Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition).
The Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition (TMSC), formed in 2008, unites riders, law enforcement, and agencies like TxDOT and TDLR. Their annual Texas Motorcycle Safety Forum (next held May 3, 2025, in Austin) showcases tech like BMW’s BARRACUDA rider-assist systems and gathers feedback to shape policies.
Read: Texas Stands Still on Motorcycle Lane Splitting Ban
The Pilot Program Mystery
Rumors swirled in 2024 about a statewide motorcycle safety pilot with VR-enhanced training. However, my deep dive into TxDOT and TDLR communications found no evidence of such a program. What does exist:
- VR for awareness (TxDOT’s domain).
- Advanced courses (TDLR-approved but decentralized).
The disconnect stems from Texas’s agency:
- TxDOT handles awareness and grants.
- TDLR regulates training schools.
For a pilot to launch, these agencies must collaborate—something that hasn’t happened yet.
Expert Recommendations: Bridging the Gaps
Based on rider feedback and policy analysis, here’s what Texas needs next:
- Evaluate VR for training: Could simulations supplement on-cycle drills? TDLR should explore this with providers.
- Beat the heat: Standardize hydration breaks and cooler training schedules.
- Boost advanced training: Make courses like the ARC more accessible and consider integrating police-level maneuvers.
- Clarify the pilot program: If it’s in the works, TxDOT/TDLR should announce timelines to manage expectations.
Safety is a Shared Road
Texas’s motorcycle safety net—campaigns, training, and coalitions—is stronger than most states. But as fatalities persist, innovation can’t stall. Whether you’re a new rider signing up for the BRC or a veteran attending the 2025 Safety Forum, staying informed is your best armor.
