Sharing the road: Motorcyclists ride for awareness, safety in Abilene

At least 117 motorcycle riders came together to ride for safety and awareness in an event Friday sponsored by several agencies and groups, including the Texas Department of Transportation, the city of Abilene and Kent's Harley-Davidson.

Ride to Work Day promoted the use of motorcycles for transportation and served as a reminder to motorists in how they all share the road.

According to a press release, from Jan. 1, 2014, to May 3 this year, there were 709 motorcycle accidents with 786 injuries — 44 of them fatalities.

Safety was on everyone's mind when the riders met in the Expo Center's Coliseum parking lot before their ride.

They paused for a safety briefing, as well as remarks from officials, and then rode in formation through Abilene, arriving at Kent's Harley-Davidson for burgers and fellowship.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Sharing the road: Motorcyclists ride for awareness, safety in Abilene