Great group rides are no fun when someone gets hurt. Let’s make this ride safe. Here are some common sense things that will help assure a safer ride when there’s 2 or more people riding in a group. Here are a few reminders about group riding.
Plan the ride ahead of time whenever possible. If you can, make maps or sets of directions. And make sure you cater to the group. If most people in the group like street and road names and numbers, give it to them that way. If they like landmarks, tell them what to look for when you write out your directions. Ideally, every rider gets a copy. Spend at least a few minutes going over the plan with all riders and passengers. People are more comfortable when they know what’s going on. That’s more fun.
Plan points along the way for resting. Stop at least once every hour. Set meeting places in case you get separated. Have a strategy in case a bike breaks down. Of course, take some tools along and items like spark plugs. If you can’t fix it, who will stay with the rider?
Do you have a first aid kit? Every ride should have at least one kit. Not just adhesive bandages and aspirin, a real first aid kit with cold packs, gauze, aluminum splint, burn ointment, and other items. Depending on where you ride, an ambulance may be several minutes away and every moment counts if something drastic happens.
Cell phones are fantastic for group rides. At a minimum, the lead and trailing rider should have them. Make sure each member of the ride has programmed in the other phone numbers, just in case.
Finally, here’s a quick checklist of safe group riding tips:
Bike running well? Tires properly inflated?Oil andfull tank?
For riders and passengers, wear a helmet, gloves, boots, jeans/chaps, and preferably a leather jacket.
Follow the instructions of leaders and/or road captains.
Ride in staggered formation.
Know basic group riding hand signals.
Keep a 2-3 second gap between you and the bike directly ahead of you.
Use SEE (Search, Evaluate, & Execute) to ride safe.
Think before you drink. Just one alcoholic drink impairsjudgment, the vital skill for riding safe. Besides, you’d hate to be parted from your bike, right?
You can find many more resources on group rides on the Internet. Just do a search for topics like, “Group Motorcycle Riding”. Or contact me at 715-526-9251 or jknicker@granitewave.comyour safety officer
Adults, Use Your Turn Signals!
As a driver education teacher, it is a true nightmare watching many so-called “adult” drivers on the road. On any given day in my 20 mile commute to my office from Shawano to Gillett, I can bank on at least 5 to 10 drivers not using their turn signals to change lanes or make turns. Communicating with all road users is crucial to keeping people safe. Here’s the scoop.
In Wisconsin, drivers are required to use their turn signals for all turns and lane changes. In addition to obvious times, consider that turning out of a driveway onto a roadway is a turn. Pulling over to the side of the road is a lane change. Even backing out of a parking space, backing around a corner, or backing during a “Y” turn involves turning. We teach students to use their turn signals whenever they want to change direction.
Did you know that you don’t need to use a right turn signal to enter a roundabout if you are going to continue straight or take a left? But you do need to use your right turn signal if you are going to make a right hand turn at a roundabout or whenever you exit the roundabout to go straight or take a left. Adults are supposed to help model correct behavior. Do you?
Use your turn signals correctly all the time and you will be less likely to confuse other drivers. And you’ll be less likely to be involved in a crash.
Riding With Passengers
So you want to carry a passenger on the back of your motorcycle. That will save on fuel compared to having 2 people each riding their own bike. And it can be a lot of fun sharing the open road with someone special. But it is much different than riding alone.
Carrying a passenger can affect the way a motorcycle handles. Like adding heavy cargo, the weight makes acceleration and stopping more difficult. Stability will be affected in turns and curves. Of course lesson one is to make sure your motorcycle is equipped to handle a passenger. First, the bike should have a passenger seat and foot pegs or footrests. If it doesn’t have both, stop right there. Until the motorcycle is properly equipped, it is simply too dangerous.
If your bike has a proper passenger seat and pegs, and your passenger has the right gear, your next step is to check with your MOM. Yes, your MOM. You know, your Motorcycle Owner’s Manual. It may have information on carrying passengers. At the very least, it will tell you about the maximum weight load the bike can handle. Even if the bike has the right seat and pegs or footrests, depending on the rider’s and passenger’s weight, the motorcycle may not be able to handle both people’s weight. And MOM will likely let you know changes in tire pressure and maybe adjustments to your suspension. Also make sure your passenger will be comfortable on the back. This can be done in most cases by letting the would-be passenger carefully mount the motorcycle’s passenger area and try out the seat and pegs while the bike is on its side stand and with the rider making sure the bike won’t tip. The last thing you need is a passenger constantly shifting around trying to be comfortable.
Be sure your passenger is properly attired with over the ankle boots or shoes, long pants (preferably jeans or leather pants or with chaps), full-fingered gloves, a long-sleeve riding jacket, eye protection, and most important, a DOT approved helmet. Even tipping over a motorcycle that is standing still can easily injure a passenger or rider.
Aside from the difference in weight is the problem of you and your passenger working together to maximize performance. Lesson two is communications. Before allowing a passenger to ride on the back of your motorcycle, make sure you and he/she understand what each other must do to help assure a safe ride. Talk about communicating while riding before you take off. Riders should instruct the passenger about her/his preferences on how to have the passenger mount the bike. This will depend on the bike and the “guest”. Usually, the rider gets on first and lifts the motorcycle off the side stand into an upright position with booted feet firmly on a clean, dry surface. Start the bike in neutral with a firm hold on both handgrips and the front brake applied, and steady the motorcycle as the passenger gets on.
To mount a smaller or low bike, the passenger should stand on the left side, place both hands on your shoulders, check that you are ready, then carefully swing her/his leg over the bike placing it on the ground on the other side if your passenger is tall enough. Then once her/his rear is on the passenger seat, he/she can carefully (avoiding excessive leaning) lifts each foot up and places them firmly on the foot pegs or footrests.
For shorter passengers, they may need to swing the leg over the bike and immediately place the foot on the peg or footrest. A couple of ways to make it easier are for the passenger (and rider) are to have a small step next to the bike, or pull up next to a curb and have the passenger mount from the right side (being careful around the exhaust pipes). If the rider can handle the weight, another method of getting your passenger on the back is to let the passenger use the left foot peg or footrest to “step” up onto the bike. But be sure you and your passenger are ready and have the passenger lean over the bike as far as possible to distribute weight evenly. You may need to experiment with different techniques to find what works best. Whichever way works for you and your passenger, he/she should keep her/his feet on the pegs or footrests at all times, including stop points.
Once on the back, the guest should move her/his hands and either hold your waist or hips, or the passenger hand-hold strap found on many seats. Generally, when you are just learning it is best for passengers to remain as straight up on the seat as possible while riding on the back and let you do any leaning. We’ll talk about advanced techniques of passenger leaning later.
Lesson three is getting going and riding. A rider and passenger should practice before venturing out onto roadways. Large vacant parking lots, long driveways, and dead end streets are great places to practice. Before starting out, it’s a good idea for the rider to carefully lean the bike to each side to get a feel for how much weight you can handle. If it seems too hard to lean the motorcycle at all, stop right there. You may not be cut out for riding with a passenger. The last thing you want to do is put yourself in a position of hurting yourself and the one you love. But if you think it will be okay, practice putting the bike in and out of first gear with the passenger on the back. Then move up to straddle-walking your motorcycle in first gear. At low speed, walk the bike with your feet touching the ground and using your clutch in and out to pull you along. You should practice stopping with just the front brake at first. Once you are comfortable with that, move up to slowly (5 to 10 mph) riding short distances with both feet on the pegs or footrests and smoothly braking to a stop (now using both brakes) putting your feet down (left foot first of course so you know you are using maximum braking power with both brakes).
If you are in a large parking lot, you can move up to leaning the bike a little as you ride large ovals, circles, or rounded rectangles in each direction (left and right). You will use the same basic slow, look in the direction you want to go, press the handgrip in the direction you want to go, and roll on the throttle technique for turns and cornering. If there are no parking lots nearby, quiet neighborhoods may offer turns and curves. Once you are comfortable with that, you may want to instruct the passenger to try leaning with you while turning or cornering by looking over your shoulder nearest to the direction of the turn or corner. In general, avoid abrupt acceleration and deceleration, and go easy on lean angles when cornering, especially with inexperienced passengers.
Here are a few other tips for you and your passenger:
·Keep hands and feet away from hot or moving parts (that’s why you wear safety gear)
·Passengers should avoid leaning or turning around; make no sudden moves that might affect stability
·When crossing an obstacle, you should alert your passenger as soon as possible and have her/him rise slightly off the seat as you go over the object.
·You and your passengers should never distract you by trying to carry on a conversation, especially in heavy traffic. And your passenger should never distract you by pointing out scenery or other things and saying stuff like, “Wow, look at that!” However, passengers can help you by communicating dangerous situations you may not see.
These are by no means the only source of information available to help you learn how to ride with a passenger. For more information, check your public library, bookstores, or the Internet for publications on “motorcycling” and “passengers”. After reading this, if you still have questions, let me know and I will do my best to help you find the answers. Keep the rubber side down.
Bad Riding Might be in Your Genes
Dateline - Oct. 28, 2009
Researchers at the University of California – Irvine think they have discovered a gene variation that causes some people to have difficulty with driving and remembering what they have learned. Scientist believe that the brains of people who have the gene variant don’t produce as much of a protein that helps facilitate communications between brain cells and helps retain memory.
The researchers had 29 people drive 15 laps on a simulated course with difficult curves and turns. Twenty-two of the participants did not have the gene variant; seven did. The people with the gene variation did 30% worse than the other drivers.
It is estimated that as many as 30 percent of Americans have the variant gene. So when you are out there on the roadways and you see some ding dongs cutting people off in traffic without using their turn signals, you can say to yourself, “Wow!, those drivers must have something going on in their genes!”
WINTER CAR SAFETY REMINDERS
Make sure your vehicle's engine has had a recent tune-up. Belts, spark plugs, adjustments.
Replace old car batteries. A new battery supplies only 40% of max power at 0 degrees.
Heater/defrosters. Make sure they work and always use fresh air vents when using the heater.
Brakes. Test your vehicle's brakes on a deserted parking lock for even brake application and test the anti-lock system.
Exhaust system. Have a professional inspect and replace at first sign of leakage.
Window washing fluid. Only ensure you have plenty available in the reservoir. Never use plain water as it will freeze.
Wiper blades. Replace worn and streaking blades.
Tires. Ensure proper tread and pressure. Tire pressure decreases one pound for every 10 degree temperature drop. Check your tire pressure as temperatures drop or fluctuate.
Fuel tank. Never let your fuel tank get below half full. Not only does this help prevent fuel line freeze-up but will ensure you always have enough fuel for emergency situations.
Always dress so you will be seen outside your car, such as when you clean off your vehicle.
Slow down and allow more distance between vehicles. Allow 8 - 10 second intervals on slick roads.
When skidding, do not apply brakes, steer into the skid and recover as the skid allows.
When stuck in snow, do not spin your tires. Remove as much snow as possible around tires and try to drive out in a straight line. Spread sand or kitty litter in front of tires.
IF STRANDED IN YOUR CAR DURING COLD WEATHER
Do not leave your automobile as it provides shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to find you.
Don't overexert yourself.
Tie a brightly colored cloth to your radio antenna or place at top of rolled up window.
Keep the dome light on during darkness as it uses little electrical energy and allows rescuers to see you.
For air, open a window slightly on the side away from the wind.
Use whatever is available to insulate your body.
If possible, run the engine and heater periodically for warmth.
If in deep snow, ensure that exhaust pipe is clear when running engine.
WHEN STUCK IN SNOW, REMEMBER....
Bigger is not better. 4-wheel drive vehicles and larger tires do get stuck in snow.
Do not accelerate hard when stuck in snow as this normally digs the tire deeper into the snow and melts the immediate area around the tire into water which than freezes into ice depending on the temperature.
Keeping Your Enemy Close
By Chuck Miles
In the world of competition, be it business, sports or politics, there are many things that help those who are successful. There are platitudes, clichés, witticisms, truisms, maxims and sayings. One of my favorite axioms is to "Keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer." Keeping our enemies close is good advice for us as well as we compete with others for our space on the road. That’s not to say we should ride close to them, but rather that we should know as much as we can about them. The better we understand them, the more able we will be to prepare for what they might do.
Most car and truck drivers do not understand motorcycles or how to ride them. Most of them do not recognize the differences between their vehicles and our bikes nor do they comprehend the significance of these differences. Most of their interactions on the road are with other vehicles like their car, truck or SUV. If one of their four wheels drops into a pothole, it is a minor inconvenience for them. They don’t know why it is so important that we avoid rough road surfaces. They don’t even notice the crack filler used on the road nor do they appreciate the impact that it can have on our two-wheeled vehicle.
More importantly, they don’t identify with the size difference between our means of transportation and theirs. When they look for other traffic, they are used to looking for bigger vehicles. When they see us, they see something small, which is what we are by comparison to them. Unfortunately their perception of small objects is that they are far away and they think that they have plenty of time to make the turn they are planning. When their assessment of the room they have proves inaccurate, their only conclusion is that we must have been going really fast to be able to travel that far that quickly. That’s why we often hear them say the motorcycle was speeding prior to the crash.
Their misperception about size also impacts their ability to estimate our speed. Our smaller silhouette often makes them think we are moving slower than we actually are. This mistaken information leads them to believe that they have more time to make that turn than they really do. In spite of looking right at us, they may still misjudge our speed and believe they can complete their turn before we get to the intersection. We know the probable result of their misinformed decision.
Their actions were not intentional; just based on poor data. They didn’t mean to create a problem for us; they simply didn’t fully comprehend the situation. It is important that we understand why these other drivers do the things they do on the road so we can prepare ourselves for their actions. Seeing things from their perspective and knowing what they may be thinking helps us keep these "enemies" closer and enhances our riding success.
What they’ll do, “Did you see that? Geez what the hell!”
I use my radar,when I ride
So that my bike will not collide
With other vehicles,on the road
Or slip and slide on some dumb toad
And I always slow up,for the curves
Avoiding janglingup my nerves
I wear bright colors,to be seen
Reflective stuff at night is keen
And I never, ever, ever drink
When I ride my bikeI like to think
Of how I canavoid a crash
So I won’t have to lay out cash
To pay the doctors, lawyers, such
Or fix my tank, or mirrors, or clutch
Or pay the fines I’ll get in court
I’ll have to say “Goodbye” my sport
No more pickingup my chick
My bike is gone,it makes me sick
No more riding,that is gnarly
No more riding,on my Harley
So I pay attentionto safe riding
And you’ll end up always smiling
Motorcycle month is in the month of May
Your safety too,I wish I pray.
The Harley’s Burg Address
Five score and five years ago our forefathers brought forth on this continent, a new machine, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men and women could ride equally.
Now we are engaged in a great safety war, testing whether this nation’s any nation’s riders so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war, the roadways of this land, by those who do not understand. We dedicate a portion of this meeting as a beginning place for those who gave their lives that riding might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- WE can not consecrate -- WE can not hallow -- that ground, those roads. The brave men and women, living and dead, who struggled there, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.
The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did there. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated to the unfinished work which they, who rode there, have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from those honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of the freedom of the road -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth
And that we all work together to build a highway traffic system that all share with the peace of mind - that we all communicate our intentions on the road at all times, that we be courteous to others, the we travel at reasonable speeds, and that we all SEE as we ride or drive.
Live to Ride, SEE and BeA Seen
Fall Riding Hazards and Suggested Strategies to Avoid Them
Fall is a beautiful time of year here in the Northwoods. Leaves turn to yellows, oranges, and reds. And then one by one they drift slowly to the ground, or the roadway. Hmmmm.
Leaves on the roadway. Wet leaves on the roadway. Slippery wet leaves on the roadway. Slippery, slimy make your motorcycle slide wet leaves on the roadway. A little later they’re dried-up leaves on the roadway. Dried-up and being ground up to power kind of leaves on the roadway. Dried-up ground to power-might as well be sand kind of leaves on the roadway. All of a sudden, fall doesn’t sound like very nice biking weather.
And how about these other hazards:
·
Other tree debris - twigs and sticks that were hung up on leaves now fall with the leaves.
·
Frost or Black Ice on the pavement, especially on bridges and overpasses.
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Long shadows on the roadway that can hide potholes, cracks, gravel, sand, leaves, sticks, etc.
·
Deer and other animals
·
Low temperatures
You don’t have to put your bike away for the winter as soon as you might think to avoid these hazards. There are ways to deal with them.
The most important one being SEE - Search, Evaluate, and Execute. Search the roadway ahead for potential problems like other traffic and the road hazards mentioned above. Evaluate the potential dangers. How far can you see around the curve coming up? If not far, then you need to slow down and ride the "What if?" way. You know, "What if there some wet leaves on the road just around the corner?" What if there is a deer? In most cases, the best strategy to Execute is to slow down to a speed that will allow you to have plenty of time to react to what you find. And of course, if you find leaves or other slippery conditions, slow as much as you can before you get to the problem. Pull in the clutch, avoiding braking, and glide as straight across as you can.
If it is a taller object you can’t swerve around safely such as a branch, dead animal, etc., slow as much as you can, steer as perpendicular to the object as you can, rise up off your seat as much as possible, then just as your front tire is about to contact the object, give a really short burst of throttle. This will cause your front end to rise helping it "step over" the object. Remember, I said a short burst. Once contact is made, you need to back off the throttle. This will help prevent your back tire from possibly slipping on the object or from "spitting" the object out the back at anyone that might be behind you.
What to do about animals like deer? If you suspect you are in an area that may have deer, like tree lines perpendicular to the road, heavily wooded areas close to the road near fields or water, you can bet there are probably deer around. So the first thing to do is slow down. This gives you more time to react if you do see something. If you see an animal near the road in the distance, blast your horn. It may scare them away from you. And, of course, slow down some more. If an animal does surprise you somehow, do not swerve to avoid it. Use both front and rear brakes as quickly and safely as your can without locking up your wheels.
