Only two days into this year's Street Vibrations motorcycle rally, and there's already been a crash that sent a motorcycle rider to the hospital.
It happened just before 11 a.m. Thursday, on I-80 eastbound near Gold Ranch. Nevada Highway Patrol troopers said two vehicles collided while one was trying to merge onto the highway. Debris from one of the vehicles flew off and hit the rider, who was hospitalized with serious injuries. However, troopers said the motorcyclist is expected to survive.
There will be a lot more motorcyclists headed into town over the weekend for the annual Street Vibrations Fall Rally. Organizers are expecting about 50,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to flood the Reno-Tahoe area. Police are asking everyone to be extra aware on the roads, since motorcycles can be easy to miss in a blind spot.
"Make the time to look over your shoulder," NHP Sergeant Frank Hernandez said. "They're smaller vehicles. They make a smaller profile. Sometimes you can't see them in your mirror, so make the extra effort to look around your vehicle before you make any kind of movements."
Street Vibrations events are happening all over the region, with vendors and entertainment set up in Downtown Reno, Carson City, Lake Tahoe, and Virginia City. Bikers will be going on poker runs and scenic rides throughout the area during the day and heading back into town at night for live music and entertainment. In general, locals can expect to see shiny chrome and hear rumbling engines everywhere.
For the event schedule, click here. Street Vibrations runs through Sunday.
