A press release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, released following last week's fatal motorcycle accident in Jordan:

Public safety officials are encouraging all motorcyclists, even experienced riders, to tune up their riding skills just as they tune up their bikes for the riding season. Four motorcyclist fatalities this year underscore the need for proper safety training so riders learn – or relearn – how to control their bikes in an emergency.

On Thursday at 3:30 p.m., a Jordan man died after he lost control of his Harley Davidson and was truck by an oncoming train. Two weeks ago, a Bloomington teen died in a motorcycle crash with another vehicle in Eden Prairie.

“Motorcycles are more difficult to operate than other vehicles,” said Minnesota State Patrol Captain Dave Graham. “Many riders, even those with years of experience, do not know how to steer, swerve, or stop quickly in an emergency.”

A common misconception riders have is that it is best to “lay the bike down” to avoid a crash. Trained riders learn how to use their brakes to stop the bike without laying it down.

“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been riding, if you’ve never taken a safety course, you are missing some vital information that may save your life,” Graham said.

Motorcycle safety training for beginners and experienced riders is available statewide April through September in Minnesota. In addition to emergency braking, students learn critical handling techniques such as steering, cornering, and swerving as well as the mental strategies used to identify the problems before they lead to crashes. To learn more about motorcycle safety or to find training courses, visit www.motorcyclesafety.state.mn.us or call 1-800-407-6677.