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Facing what could be the most deadly year on South Carolina roads for motorcyclists, state public safety officials and biking enthusiasts are hoping that new training and education initiatives will curb the trend.

The number of motorcyle fatalities in the state jumped from 75 in 2001 to 94 in 2005, a report from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety said. This year, 82 motorcyclists have died.

Safety officials studied the 114 deaths investigated in 2005 and the first half of 2006 and found that 90 percent of the deceased were men and that 64 percent of the victims weren't wearing helmets. The average age of a victim was 41.

"Middle-aged men are buying cruising-style motorcycles and using them without much experience. Some never bother to get their license," said Lance Cpl. Dan Marsceau, a Highway Patrol spokesman.

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In 2005, there were 149,072 active licensed motorcycle drivers in the state, according to Department of Transportation data requested under the state Freedom of Information Act by The Greenville News.

The total number of motorcycle licenses and beginning permits issued in 2005 was 35,518. Beginner permits accounted for 7,512.

Of the beginner permits, 3,469 were renewals.

One of Marsceau's concerns is that motorcyclists can continue to renew their permit without having to take a driving test, which he said is something middle-aged men are doing.As the law stands, a motorcycle permit can be renewed an unlimited number of times, but the state DMV reserves the right to deny the permit. A permit allows a motorcyclist to drive between 6 a.m and 6 p.m. and an extra two hours during Daylight Saving Time.

Stacey Ross, the general manager for Greenville's Harley Davidson store, said she learned to ride through motorcycle training classes. Ross said the store is partnering with state officials to offer classes within the next couple of years.

Motorcycle ownership is becoming more popular in recent years, with the largest increase among the "baby boomer" generation. In 2001, 56,000 motorcycle were registered in the state compared with 85,000 in 2005.

A news briefing Thursday at the Harley Davidson store coincides with this week's HOG rally in Columbia and next month's rally in Myrtle Beach.

Marsceau said the state's statistics mirror a national trend. Motorcycle fatalities were up 10 percent statewide last year and 13 percent across the nation.

The problem is that bikes are getting bigger, said Ross McClellan, coordinator of the state's rider education program. "People are buying bikes that intimidate them and never truly learn to ride them. They go too big too soon," McClellan said.

While McClellan suggests that drivers start with medium-sized bikes, he said the most important thing they can do is get motorcycle training.

McClellan runs nine training sites at the state's technical colleges. Greenville no longer has a training site because of government funding cuts, but McClellan said he'd like to get a site running again in a few months.

Marsceau said training was the focus of the Motorcycle Task Force -- a group including motorcyclists and state Department of Motor Vehicle officials -- that met for the first time this week.

"Stop and think. You can be killed much easier in a motorcycle than in a car," Marsceau said.