May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Last week Swag over at BikerSwag.com asked, ‘May is recognized as Motorcycle Awareness Month. What plans do you have to help promote it?’
That’s a good question. I don’t know if my answer is a cop-out but I’m not doing anything differently than I always do, I suppose.
- Encourage Minimizing Risk: ATGATT
I try to minimize my own personal risk and encourage others to do the same by extolling the benefits of wearing ATGATT – All the Gear, All the Time. I’m not walking around like a Jehovah’s Witness selling my gospel door to door or anything, but I do put my feelings out there.When people ask why I’m wearing “all that” or of I’m hot, (when I’m done rolling my eyes
) I usually relay some sort of message regarding my clothing’s value. If just one person decides that maybe riding around in a t-shirt isn’t such a hot idea or maybe investing in a pair of riding boots is money well spent, then I feel like I’ve done something. - Encourage Education: Learn the Right Way – Take a Class
When someone mentions to me that they or a loved one are interested in riding, I always suggest that they take an MSF or similar course. I’m sure their wives, husbands, uncles are all great riders just like they say they are but… I feel it’s best to learn from someone you don’t have a relationship with and to make sure you get a well-rounded education. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation curriculum will prepare you with concepts for operating your motorcycle safely. It’s a great foundation for learning.Education isn’t only for Noobs!
There are many refresher or experienced rider courses you can take to brush up on your skills. There is always something to learn. - Encourage Others to Help Themselves: Be your own Safety Advocate
Don’t wait for someone else to help you. Help yourself!- Ride like you’re invisible
- Don’t Ride Tired
- Don’t Drink and Ride
- Check your Speed – You can still have fun without being a menace
- Check your equipment – Make sure your bike is in safe working order
- Don’t ride in a car’s blind spot
- Remember that you aren’t invincible, you’re a fragile human being
- New rider? Leave the passenger at home for a while. You don’t know what you’re doing yet
- Watch for Turning Vehicles- Don’t become a statistic!
Have any other safety tips to share? Let’s hear ’em!
) I usually relay some sort of message regarding my clothing’s value. If just one person decides that maybe riding around in a t-shirt isn’t such a hot idea or maybe investing in a pair of riding boots is money well spent, then I feel like I’ve done something.So? What are you doing for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month?
Links and Information
Couldn’t agree more. It’s a pity that on-going cager driving education isn’t more widely pushed. Most cagers seem to think that once they have a basic license, they’re adequately qualified for the rest of their lives.
Geoff in NZ
Welcome aboard, Geoff-
If we can’t get drivers to actually ONLY drive and not multitask on their phones, nav systems, dvd players – we’re pretty much out of luck on trying to get people to keep at their driving education. But, it is a nice dream 🙂
Ride like they’re out to get you!
Sharing is caring! Thanks for this invaluable post!
Hi Fuzzy-me again-new reader to your blog-wondering if it would be at all possible to repost some of this fabulous post at http://www.motorcyclememoir.com with a credit to you of course? I’m on the US portion of an around the world trip on a motorcycle to raise funds and awareness for world hunger. Cheers, Cynthia
Hi Cynthia-
Sure, as long as there is a link back here that’d be great 🙂
I’ve subscribed to your site’s RSS feed so will be looking forward to the next post~
Public servants in NZ have just been caught red-handed in NZ fudging motorcycle accident data to pursue their own political agendas and hike annual registration fees, whilst ignoring root causes.
If you’re interested in the background, have a look at: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2010/05/motorcycle-accidents-half-truths-and.html. The Professor who discovered the discrepancies is presenting his findings in Colorado Springs next week.
Cheers,
Geoff