BATON ROUGE — Nearly 100 motorcyclists lost their lives on Louisiana roads in 2023, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

That number is part of why experts say motorcycle safety starts the moment a rider sits on the bike.

Beaux Brasseaux works at Harley Davidson in Baton Rouge and has been riding for about nine years. He said a defensive mindset only works if everyone pays attention before and after hitting the road.

"I'm a big believer in defensive riding… which means ride like you're invisible," Brasseaux said. "Anybody you see on the road could not be paying attention."

Brasseaux pointed out that cars, trucks and motorcycles share the same space but don't always share the same visibility. He says small moments of awareness, like checking mirrors, slowing down or double-checking blind spots, can make a major difference.

"My personal experience in a car is it's easier to be inattentive," Brasseaux said. "On a motorcycle, you have to be hyper aware."

That message carries added weight after a crash Monday morning that sent a motorcycle driver to the hospital.

"Responsibility is on both sides, right? Drivers on the road need to look out for motorcycles," Brasseaux said. "It's not always just the motorcyclist's fault."

Highway officials are expecting more motorcycles to return to Louisiana roads as the weather warms. Brasseaux said safety depends on everyone doing their part.

"Take a class, pay attention to others and everything around you," Brasseaux said.