NY State Police stage mandatory motorcycle safety checkpoint

The State Police are conducting checkpoints Friday night.

News 4 reports the officers are inspecting motorcycles as they cross the Peace Bridge.
It looked like a Biker Rally at Front Park, where there was a constant rumble of thunder.
Local biker Michael Lovczowski: "...just love it."
But the gathering included plenty of State Police and other law enforcers who staged a mandatory motorcycle safety checkpoint at the entrance of the Peace Bridge.
New York State Police Major Christopher Cummings said, "It's all about safety. It's all about protecting the riders of motorcycles and the public on the highway with them."

Nearly 800 bikers passed through. Most headed to Port Dover, Ontario, the site of the annual Friday the 13th Motorcycle Rally. Some didn't appreciate the delay.
Local biker George Kabel said, "I think it's a waste of manpower, for a couple of helmets. What do you have 25 cars here?"
Troopers say the inspections were in response to an alarming increase in motorcycle deaths, which doubled in the last ten years.
State Police Traffic Supervisor Sergeant David Miller said, "This isn't about making money for the state. It's about saving lives."
The inspections here are similar to the same checks commercial vehicles go through. They start with a visual check of the vehicle.
Of the bikes that passed through, 25% were flagged for a secondary inspection.
Most tickets were issued for unsafe helmets.
State Police Motorcycle Unit Trooper Arthur Pittman said, "We're going to take a look at width and side. It should have 3/4 width of foam on it. Also, it's going to say approved D.O.T."
Reaction to the inspections was mixed.
Biker: "I think it's a little overkill, honestly."
Biker: "I think it's good. Everyone needs to get checked before crossing over. It's the law, man."

Major Cummings said, "The problem with this checkpoint is you can't put a number on the lives you save. We only know by the stats, the lives lost."