May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. If you remember my piece from last year or know me outside of my profession, you know I’ve been riding motorcycles since July 2018. The number of close calls I’ve had in that short amount of time is high. I’ve gained more experience with many things, including riding and not taking any shenanigans, so I’m going to be myself and be blunt this year.
Any incident or scuffle where I’ve laid my bike down has been my fault. I’m still young, with less than two years of experience under my belt; it’ll happen.
Thankfully, I have not experienced a wreck with another rider or driver. Any near-scuffle I’ve had with a driver has not been my fault; all have been drivers failing to check their blind spots or use turn signals or following too closely.
The last time I rode, I nearly laid my bike down because a utility van hauling a trailer almost missed its turn and slammed on its brakes to make the turn in time. I followed at a safe distance, but the car in front of me (behind the van) did not, and I nearly rear-ended the car because even though I applied my brakes early enough, there was still some distance or some variable of the whole ordeal I misjudged. Sure, a certain degree of me nearly dying is my fault, but guess what, the other drivers are also at fault- the car for following too closely and the driver of that utility van… Dude, you should have paid more attention. When I pulled off the road next to where you pulled in, I almost came and chewed you out with the adrenaline running through my veins.
During the incident, I could feel my bike leaning down, as if I were a sport-bike rider on track day dragging knee in tight curves and turns.
Let me tell you, I ride a 2003 Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster, and boy those are not supposed to be like sport bikes on track day. Sure, if you mod out your bike the right way, you can really rip and carve with a Harley, but mine is not built for that; I have mine built out as a cruiser, for cruising and relaxing, to have a good time.
I never want to feel parallel to the ground again after that incident. Mind you, my wheels were still on the ground; it was like the weird position of something before its final form. A bike almost being laid down looks weird. I’m sure it looks cool out of context, but if only you could’ve seen the panic in my eyes, you would’ve known that “cool” couldn’t describe that.
I injured my leg in that incident. I couldn’t walk for a week or so and I felt incredible joint pain in my right knee when I tried to walk and my leg would hit a certain position. I had bad bruising; I just did something to the muscle is all. By now, I have recovered fine.
I somehow stabilized myself and the bike by throwing my right foot down and slamming it onto the ground. If my Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) riding coaches knew I did that, they’d probably be shaking their heads. I was taught not to do that, but I still feel in that instance that’s what saved me from going down.
That’s just a personal account I wanted to relay since that was the closest I’ve come to serious injury or potentially worse.
When authorities are investigating an incident where a motorcyclist and driver are involved, most, if not all, of the time you’ll hear these four words come out of the driver’s mouth: “I didn’t see them.”
That’s where the “look twice, save a life,” saying came from for motorcycle safety awareness. Because when you see a motorcyclist out cruising, you’re sharing the road with someone’s daughter, son, wife, husband, sister, brother, mother, father or friend. Please be conscious and aware, and please be safe.
Have you ever seen that video of the cop holding up a pen and it turns out there was a motorcyclist approaching him the whole time and you didn’t even know? Yeah, watch it if you haven’t! It really puts some perspective out there. So drivers, keeps your eyes peeled at least!
This subject is like a coin; it has two sides. I’ve talked about one side, but now I’m going to address the other side: anytime I’ve seen motorcycle awareness brought up, there’s always that one person who goes, “Motorcycle riders preach safety, but then they ride like jackasses and blame drivers for nearly killing them!”
Yeah, OK buddy, you’re not wrong. There are jerk riders and that’s not their place to degrade and belittle drivers for their own dumb mistakes. If they want to get hurt trying to reenact Evel Knievel stunts (or just driving like a jerk), so be it!
Frankly, they probably need a good reality check anyway; everyone needs one.
What I’m trying to say is don’t harp that crap at me because I will shoot you down immediately. I’m speaking for the riders who ride responsibly and safely, the ones who are just trying to enjoy the journey. I’m sorry that you experienced ‘x’ jerk rider who cut you off and whatnot, but right now, for what I’m trying to talk about, this is not the time or place for that.
As I said before, the motorcyclist you encounter is someone’s loved one.
For those interested in starting your journey, I implore and highly recommend you take the MSF’s Basic Riding Course. I took that course and it greatly helped me as I didn’t have any experience with motorcycles. The course costs $225 and gives you priceless information that could save your life.
Plus, if you pass the course, you will have a discount on your motorcycle insurance. All they ask you to do is wear a long-sleeve shirt, pants and boots/shoes that cover the ankles. This course is for those who have little or no riding experience or for those who have been away from riding for many years. For more information, visit the University of Montevallo’s website at http://bit.ly/30lVNuZ.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
Please stay safe.
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