May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and Florida is a popular destination for motorcycle enthusiasts who want to soak up some sun and check out the scenic coastal highways. Highway officials are asking motorists to take extra caution around motorcyclists and “share the road.”

Warmer months mean more motorcyclists on the road, which increases exposure to thieves. According to the National Insurance Crime

Bureau, motorcycle thefts occur more frequently in the summer with June, July and August having the most thefts while December, January and February having the least. Although authorities have seen a slight decrease in motorcycle thefts nationwide, the high performance vehicles offer a thrill factor and profit from selling whole motorcycles or parts, making it hard for thieves to resist.

Here are some tips and ideas to decrease the chance of having your motorcycle stolen:

Always lock your ignition and remove the key.

Lock the forks or disk brakes with locks that have large, brightly colored tags.

When looking for an object to wrap your bike lock around, consider an object that is heavy and difficult to dismantle.

Lock your bike around other bikes when possible.

Try not to park your bike between cars, as doing so offers visual protection for thieves.

When staying at a hotel, park your motorcycle in view of the parking lot security camera. If that’s not possible, try to park your bike as close as you can to the front entrance of the hotel or to your room.

When storing your bike in your garage, park your car in front of your bike. Keep the garage door closed and if possible, install a burglar alarm inside your garage.

If you store your motorcycle outside, consider installing a motion-sensitive bright light nearby or adding an audible alarm to your motorcycle.

Use a plain, dull motorcycle cover―one that doesn’t draw attention to your bike or loudly proclaim the name of the manufacturer. Or, use the cover from a company that thieves generally don’t target, such as a BMW cover over a Harley.

Consider doing something “crafty” with your bike after parking it. Maybe loosen a spark plug cap, or pull the main fuse. Doing so may fool a thief into thinking there’s something wrong with your motorcycle after trying to start it, and they’ll quickly move on.

Put a unique marking on your bike and take a photo of your bike. The markings may discourage thieves, as well as aids in theft recovery. If you’re bike is stolen, use the photo to show law enforcement the unique markings to help them with identification.

Don’t store your title in your bike’s storage compartment, tank bag or saddlebag. The safest place for your title is at home.

Keep your bike registration and insurance identification card on you when you ride.

Following these tips and being vigilant of your surroundings will help you protect your motorcycle from being stolen or chopped. For a free consultation, call Orlando’s Personal Injury Attorneys.