I recall sitting there one recent Saturday morning…in Michigan…in February…looking out the window. Yeah, it was snowing again (damn)…and like most who live in Michigan, I was counting the days before we get that first real break in the weather…you know, the one that allows us to roll out the bikes and take that first ride of the season…and that really is something to look forward too. I would think that by now, most of you have already done that this year….but it’s still early in the riding season.

Back on that cold morning in February, I was also pondering the upcoming “motorcycle season,” with all the rides I hope to take, the various details that I will work, the classes I will teach (and take) and especially to seeing so many old (and new) friends again – friends who share that one common bond we all have, and that is the motorcycle.

But something else struck me as I sat there thinking about the sun (that would be that strange hot round fiery ball in the sky that sometimes shows up around here), the fun and the many rides. I thought again about those dreaded “calls” some of us will get, or the stories we’ll see on TV or read in the newspapers…you know the ones I’m talking about, right?? The ones we hope and pray we never hear again…the ones that tell us someone we know has just been involved in a motorcycle crash…and that can be a real “buzz-killer.” Trouble is we all know that is going to happen again and as always it seems that there is nothing we can do about it…or is there?

Winter gives motorcyclists here in Michigan a chance to think & dream and something to look forward too. So as I sat there staring at the &%$# snow and doing just that, something else occurred to me…as a Motorcycle Safety Instructor, I teach and preach the Gospel of “Motorcycle Safety,” but given that term as it’s written, isn’t "Motorcycle Safety” really an oxymoron? Like the term “Jumbo Shrimp” or “Political Correctness.” One just doesn’t seem to go well with the other or make any sense when you think about it…so doesn’t the term “Motorcycle Safety” fit into that category?

How in the world can riding a motorcycle be even remotely related to anything we normally consider “safe?” By most accounts, its right up there with skydiving, bungee jumping or alligator wrestling – am I right? Well…maybe some of you reading this may not think so, but that’s the problem and that’s exactly the point I’m trying to make; motorcycle riding carries some severe consequences if one decides to take to many unnecessary risks…and you all know what I’m talking about.

I won’t fill this article with bullet-points about what you should or shouldn’t do when you ride, or preach the Gospel of Motorcycle Safety in chapter & verse…but because this is spring, and we’re at the early stage of our riding season, what I will do is suggest that you try something a bit less painful…

Next time you are together with your buds, your riding group, chapter, club, gang or whomever you ride with and you happen to be looking for a motorcycle related topic to discuss, why not try this…have an open-minded discussion about why Gary said “Motorcycle Safety is an oxymoron,” and see where the discussion goes. My guess is that you will bring out a lot of good comments, suggestions, and concerns and perhaps even some fears…and that can be good constructive conspiracy. The discussion may also help to heighten everyone’s awareness a touch, especially now as we’re in the early days of the riding season. Let’s re-remind each other and ourselves that motorcycle riding really is a risky business, and let’s ALL strive to make sure we do everything we can to ride smart and to try to reduce as many of those “risks” as possible. Making an effort to assure that we all return from every ride we take is an effort that should start NOW - before you head out and enjoy the ride!

Remember to ride safe, and ride sober.

Gary

Oxymoron: “A combination of contradictory words.”