Darlene Kimsey, vice-president of the High Point Chapter of the Concerned Bikers Association of North Carolina, was sick of hearing about motorcycle accidents, so she approached the city council with an idea to make drivers more aware of riders on the road.

The public needs to understand that with the rise of riding, we are out there," Kimsey told the Greensboro News and Record. "Riding isn't just a recreational thing anymore, but a mode of transportation.

After almost a year of lobbying the city, Kimsey says High Point will be the first city in the nation to put up signs reminding motorists to share the road with motorcycles.

About a year ago, Kimsey went to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to see about getting some signs posted along roads along streets throughout the state reminding motorists to share the road with motorcycles.

When the state rejected the proposal, Kimsey went to the city of High Point.

Following a letter to the city council, and several meetings with the city manager and city transportation officials, Kimsey was able to identify four city streets where the signs were needed, based on a high volume of motorcycle accidents.

The city is expected to erect four signs on each street, and the transportation department will monitor accidents on the streets to see if the signs have an impact.

While state transportation officials haven't approved signs for state-owned streets, Kimsey says they will be watching the project in High Point. "If we can show that the signs have an impact on reducing the number of accidents, the state may consider the signs," Kimsey said. "I am hoping it's something that will catch on.