New law will light up bikes

Motorcyclists will get one step closer to a safer ride this summer with a new state law that allows the use of auxiliary lighting.

Both the House and Senate have approved a bill to make it legal to use the auxiliary lighting, which illuminates the engine of motorcycles, thus increasing their visibility to other drivers.

The auxiliary lights allow drivers to see motorcyclists from the side, as well as front and rear, when it's dark. The lights, which will only be used at night, illuminate the side of the motorcycle and don't project outward.

The bill will be passed on to Governor Martin O'Malley for signing on June...