News Release

Different Road, Different Ride: National Park Service Launches New Motorcycle Safety Awareness Campaign

A series of five panels of digital graphics highlighting what makes riding a motorcycle in national parks more challenging than riding on a normal road.
The Different Road, Different Ride motorcycle safety awareness campaign educates riders about the unique characteristics of national park roads and encourages them to adapt their riding style accordingly.

NPS

News Release Date: May 19, 2025

Contact: NewsMedia@nps.gov

WASHINGTON – As part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the National Park Service (NPS) is launching a new campaign to prepare motorcyclists for their ride on park roads. Titled Different Road, Different Ride, the initiative educates riders about the unique characteristics of national park roads and encourages them to adapt their riding style accordingly.  

Currently, the National Park Service (NPS) transportation system provides 300 million visitors per year with access to America’s most treasured landscapes, natural wonders, and historic sites.  

These scenic roads and parkways have been central to defining visitor experiences by harmonizing with the environment. From tight curves, narrow lanes, roads with limited shoulders and markings, to increased wildlife crossings, park roads often differ significantly from typical roadways. 

Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of unintentional deaths reported in parks between 2014 and 2019. On average, motorcycle riders represented 24% of all motor vehicle occupant (drivers and passengers) fatalities in this six-year period.   

The Different Road, Different Ride campaign provides practical safety tips to reduce the risk of motorcycle crashes so that every rider can "Ride for the long haul" and return home safely from their national park adventure.   

Key safety messages remind riders to:

  • Slow down when navigating curves
  • Ride in single file on narrow stretches
  • Scan the road and shoulders for wildlife 

This campaign is designed with motorcycle riders in mind—those seeking the adventure and beauty of our national parks. With the right preparation and caution, that ride can be both thrilling and safe. 

For more information or to access safety tips and resources, visit: Motorcycle Safety (NPS.gov) 
 

www.nps.gov 

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. 



Last updated: May 19, 2025

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