This past May, I was in our Nation’s Capitol as part of a contingency representing the Macomb County Sheriff’s Motor Division attending the Police Week ceremonies. This was not my first time in “DC,” but it was the first time I had the opportunity to attend what is known as “National Police Week.”

I was honored to be part of a police motorcycle escort team, consisting of trained motor officers from all over the United States, working directly with the Washington DC "Capitol" Police Motor Division. Our job was to escort the busses carrying the survivors of fallen law enforcement officers from Reagan International Airport to their various hotels throughout the city. This was a lot of work and some very long hours…but it was “game on” riding, and also in a word – inspiring.    

So what (you may ask) does that have to do with me, I’m not a police motor officer? Well, nothing to be honest…but that’s not the point, this is…

While I was riding with these fellow motor officers from different states, I was impressed at how well everyone rode together as a group. It didn’t matter who you were next to or where they were from because each rider / officer knew and trusted the other. Why? Because of a pride, understanding and respect each had for the other. We all knew that the other guy had been trained and could ride well, with confidence, and was safety oriented. We also knew that we all had 2 objectives in mind…to complete the detail and to see that everyone made it home safe…period.

The manner in which they all rode, the image they presented and the mutual respect for each other was something you had to experience or at the very least, see for yourself…and that brings us to the connection I want to make with you – the individual, and you the motorcycle rider.

It is the training that allowed these motor officers from all over the country to pull off some of the details they did, and it is training and practice, practice and more practice that allowed them to reduce the risk factors making it a safe event for everyone. Every ride escort had a mix of different riders, each formally trained, and they all had a great time, looked sharp, did the job proud and more than anything, they all went home at night – safe…myself included.

After experiencing working and riding with these officers, I came to the conclusion that there is not one single reason why ALL riders cannot or should not adapt these riding strategies from the police…because they prove time and again the benefits that can be realized from getting proper training, practicing and just doing it the right way.

Most Road Crews of various riding organizations do a fantastic job making sure that their respective rides, and more importantly, YOU are safe. They work hard (or should be) to set an example for everyone by leading by example, proving that proper training, working to improve your riding skills and not compromising safety for image is the right way to ride. Like the cops in DC and elsewhere throughout our country – each detail (ride) has (2) main objectives…#1) to complete the detail (or simply your group ride), and #2) to see that everyone goes home safe when it’s over…it’s that simple.

Each rider is responsible for their own ride, just as each rider is responsible for just how much they want to improve themselves. You can choose to be either a sterling example of what riding right & riding safe is all about…or you can choose be a sterling example of someone who is most likely to get schmucked next. These folks (the latter) seem to forget that stupid hurts, crashin’ sucks and dead is dead until it reaches up and bites them in the ass, but by then it’s too late.

So it’s up to YOU to decide which example YOU want to be...and along with me, your friends and your family, we all hope you make the right choice, and you know deep down what that is. 

Parting shot – riding a motorcycle doesn’t require your attention, it demands it...so never compromise safety for image, and remember to ride every ride as if your ass, and your life depends on it – because it does!

Gary