A Public Service Announcement

Motorcycle Safety and Driver Awareness

I know, it has nothing to do with Ghost Hunting or paranormal things, but I feel this is an important public issue.

More and more, we're seeing on the local news the almost daily motorcycle accident.

With gasoline prices on a ridiculous rise, we're seeing more and more motorcycles on the roads these days, and most drivers just aren't used to watching out for them. Being a motorcycle rider myself, I've had my fair share of "close calls" due to drivers not paying attention or being distracted by the cell phones glued to their heads.

I would like the OGHS and everyone else to be advocates and promoters of Motorcycle Safety and Driver Awareness. We're not just about ghosts... I like to think of us as a "community action" organization as well.

The days of the "Hell's Angel" stereotype, are pretty much gone, for every person from every walk of life are beginning to enjoy the pleasure and benefits of two-wheeled conveyance. I personally enjoy the 60-70 miles-per-gallon a motorcycle offers, and the look on the face of the person at the gas pump next to me, as I fill up with 7 bucks, while their SUV drains their bank account.

I started riding way back in the '70's, and my first bike was a little 250 one-popper...Man, I thought I was King of the Road too. I've learned a lot over the years and the thousands of miles I've put under my butt. Someone once said to me:

"Old Bikers don't get to be Old Bikers by getting stupid on the road."

Words to live by...

Most of the bikes on the road today, are first timers...the mid-life crisis guys with the new Harley they've always wanted, or the "extreme" kids on the Crotch Rockets that feel that doing wheelies on the highway is a requirement. Well, we'll read about them in the paper tomorrow...there's a lot more to it than just hanging onto the handlebars and letting 'er rip.

There are a lot of women riding their own bikes now too. I like that.

The first step is to keep it legal...Get your Temporary Permit, then your "M" Endorsement. I'm willing to bet that there is a majority of unlicensed riders out there.

The Temporary Permit is very easy get. It's just a written exam, like getting your learners permit for a car. Basically the questions are the same...Signs, Hand Signals, Traffic Laws, and there are only few motorcycle questions...like, true or false questions to make sure you have an understanding of what you're allowed to do, and not allowed to do with your Temporary Permit.

With a Temporary Permit:

~ You cannot ride with a passenger.

~ You WILL wear a helmet.

~ You cannot travel on highways or interstates.

~ You can only ride between sun-up and sun-down.

The License Test is another matter. Very few get their's on the first try. (i was lucky)

The License Test is a riding test where you maneuver through a course of orange cones at barely an idle speed. If you put your foot down, its instant fail.

If you go for your license test, its advisable to find or borrow a SMALL motorcycle. Your brand new Fat Boy Full Dresser or Crotch Rocket will have a hard time making the right-angle turns of the course. As long as the bike you use has a headlight, tail light, turn signals, and a horn, you're good to go. Mopeds aren't acceptable...

As the License Examiner explained to me as he filled out my paperwork:

"You must wear a helmet for the first calendar year. After that, make a flowerpot out of it, I don't care."

Ohio is one of the few states fortunate to not have a helmet law. However, its your decision and judgment to wear one. I personally don't, but if I'm traveling out of state or on a long highway ride, I'll take one with me. I encourage my passengers to wear one, but if they don't want to, its their choice.

I believe that if you're careful, and are alert to your surroundings and other traffic, you'll do just fine without one. I know, its not so much how YOU ride, its the other idiots you have to watch out for...and I've found that there are three types of vehicles that are most dangerous to motorcycle riders...The Mini Van, The SUV, and for some reason The Ford Ranger Pickup Truck. Keep your eye on these when encountered. Also, common sense tells us, Never Argue With A Semi...that just goes without saying.

My advice and personal tricks to successful riding:

~Adjust the left mirror so that you can see the lane next to you.

~Adjust the right mirror so you can see directly behind you.

~ Stay to the left of the lane you're in. The middle of the lane has oil residue from cars and trucks, and you don't want that on your tires. If you ride the right side, cars will crowd you when they pass.

~ Always give the vehicle in front of you PLENTY of room. The "two second rule" doesn't apply.

~ When passing another vehicle, make sure you can see the entire vehicle in the center of your mirror before you cut back into your lane. This will give you good clearance room without cutting off the vehicle.

~ Always check your mirrors when on a busy road in heavy traffic, or on the highway.

~ There is no rush...remember, its not the destination that's important, its the journey.

~ If the Highway frightens you, STAY OFF OF IT.

~ Never wear Shorts.

~ Boots give better support and are more durable than Sneakers.

~ NEVER "panic stop" with the front brake!!!...You'll end up in the backseat of the car in front of you.

~ Saddlebags are a must. Carry a small thin piece of wood about 6"x6" to put under your kickstand when parked on asphalt. On hot days, the asphalt gets soft, and the kickstand will sink. You don't want to find your bike laying on its side.

~ Park where you can keep an eye on your bike.

~ Watch for cars pulling out of side streets and in parking lots. They can't see you as well you can see them.

~ Stay in the mirror of the car or semi in front of you. If you can't see them, they can't see you.

~ If a car or truck is merging on the highway, LET THEM.

~ Showing off is for IDIOTS.

~ Contrary to some beliefs...Alcohol and Motorcycles don't mix.

~ Contrary to some other beliefs...Tattoos are not a requirement for riding a motorcycle.

~ Wrap-around glasses are the best.

~ Always carry a pair or two of clear glasses in your saddlebags for riding at night.

~ Rain hurts!!

~ If it is raining, it goes without saying, to be extra careful. Oil residue on the road will come to the surface making it slicker than a dry day. Most motorcycle tires weren't made to channel water like car tires. Duck under a bridge or gas station over-hang until the rain passes...You meet other interesting people in the same boat as you.

~ Stay back when behind a Dump truck on the highway. Getting your face sandblasted at 70mph stings worse than rain.

~ Its ok to set aside "cool" for safety.

Advice to Drivers:

~ HANG UP THE DAMN CELL PHONE!!!

~ Please PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD!!!

~ Please do not crowd the motorcycle in front of you.

~ Please do not cut off a motorcycle...They can't stop as surely as a car can.

~ Please do not pull out in front of a motorcycle.

~ Please turn the stereo down.

~ Please DO NOT WASH YOUR WINDSHIELD when there's a motorcycle behind you...Washer fluid doesn't taste very good.

I found a really good book a couple of years ago. Its called:

"Sit Down, Shut Up, & Hang On! A Biker's Guide To Life"...By Penny Powers and Chuck Hays (illustrated by Anne Mitchell) from Gibbs-Smith Publishing.

It has one-liners from Riders that are not only insightful, but rather philosophical as well.

I recommend it for anybody that rides, new or old.

All we have to do is be aware of one another, and all will be good. Sounds pretty simple, doesn't it? Unfortunately there are still too many people out there that just don't get it.

Please pay attention out there on the roads...The motorcycle you save may be MINE...

~~~copyright 2006 Dr. Ken

None of this material may be used without
the written consent of Dr. Ken