RIDER EDUCATION ARTICLE

Joe and Jan Mazza

International Motorist Awareness Director  

Ten Things All Car and Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

As International Motorist Awareness Director, I am always looking for interesting articles pertaining to Motorist Awareness. Also, having just returned from Wing Ding in Fort Wayne, Indiana where at least two motorcyclists were killed by a motorist who crossed the dividing line and ran head on into them, any articles directed at car and truck drivers deserves to be reprinted and distributed as often as possible.

The article I allude to bears the same title as this one and was written by Lynn Ketchum. Here are the ten things Lynn suggests:

1)      There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't recognize motorcycles; they ignore them (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at intersections.

2)      Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle's speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict that a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3)      Because of its small size, a motorcycle can easily be hidden in a car's blind spot or masked by objects outside a car. Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4)      Because of its small size, a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcycles are speed demons.

5)      Motorcyclists often slow down by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say three or four seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

6)      Turn signals on motorcycles are usually not self cancelling, thus some riders (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.

7)      Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane positions for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

8)      Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9)      Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime".

10)  When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as a motorcycle, think of it as a person.

Member Traveloque

submitted by

Gordon Valasek  

Member #156918

The Former Officers Ride

Well we will start out with an introduction of our Officers.  Beverly and Gordon are the Former Wyoming District Directors and Ralph and Virginia are Former District Educators.  Both of us use to live in Casper, Wyoming, but for reasons of work we are at opposite ends of the state.  We are also in competing energy fields of work.  Ralph works with natural gas and myself in the coal industry. Opposites do attract and do have fun.  We both love to travel on the bikes and camp so this trip was ideal for us.  We both decided we were going to pull our camp trailers and use them for lodging, but were not going to do any outdoor cooking this time.  The trip was seven days long and we wanted to enjoy letting other people cook for us.

Day 1

Beverly and I started from Casper which is our place of residence to meet up with Ralph and Virginia.  Leaving on Hwy. 220, so to 287 and then to Hwy. 28 to Farson, Wyoming.   We met our other travel companions, which live in Pinedale, Wyoming. Not too far away... READ MORE