Motorcycle fatalities are on the rise in South Carolina, up 14 from 2006. Some legislators say requiring all riders to wear helmets may help solve the problem. Many riders say better training, not helmets, will save more lives. It's one sound easy to identify, the roar of a motorcycle, cruising down the road. But the thunderous sound does more than just rattle windows; it's actually a safety measure. “it's not to be obnoxious, it's to alert someone you are there,” said Wendy Bryar.

Bryar, a rider for as long as she can remember, says learning how to share the road with car drivers is something you learn in rider education programs. The state doesn't require riders to take the course, all you need is to pass a written test at the DMV and you can get a permit. “You have riders out there without a license and they have been riding on a permit,” said Bryar.

A permit allows people to ride without restrictions during the day but requires a supervisor to ride at night. Bryar says is difficult to enforce for local police. For new riders looking to take the course, finding one is also an issue. It's very difficult to get into the course and money is not the problem, its finding instructors to teach the course,” said ABATE member Fred Ruddock.

According to ABATE, a lobby group in support of biker rights, the state needs to provide the basic infrastructure to run these safety courses. The issue will only become more severe as the cost of transportation rises and more people turn to motorcycles as a solution.

Gas in South Carolina is hovering around three dollars a gallon and oil reached a record 100 dollars a barrel earlier this week. Energy is one of the reasons you see more and more bikes on the road. Your basic bike with get you 42 miles per gallon city driving and 59 miles on the highway. That is far and away above and the national fuel standards for cars or trucks.

“People ought to wear helmets but should we make it a law, that's the debate we will have every year when it comes up,” said House Speaker Republican Bobby Harrell.
South Carolina law requires riders under 21 to wear a helmet, but for those older it's their choice and riders say there is no reason to change it now.

Riders can also get their motorcycle license by taking the road test at the DMV.