§        SAFETY:

I have yet to have one single person who rides a motorcycle or is a passenger on one look me straight in the eye and tell me honestly that they don’t care about safety, or that the message is “BS,” or that they never give it a thought. If they do, they are flat-out liars or they are living a false bravado – take your pick. We ALL want to be safe…how much simpler can it be said? And safety is all of our responsibilities, not only to ourselves, but to those around us.

§        CHOICE:

Every day life has risks. By the grace of the almighty, we have the ability to make choices, which can be a real challenge in itself. We are the ones who get to choose exactly what risks we want to take, and just how far we want to push our luck. The yardstick by which we individually measure these risks lies within our own mind, and deep down we know our limitations. So we must be honest with ourselves, and be aware of the consequences these risks hold. Always strive to make the right choices that will give you the best chance to come home from every ride safe and unharmed.

§        PEER PRESSURE:

Nowhere in our culture is peer pressure more prevalent or more powerful than within the motorcycling community. Think it isn’t? Just take a look around you and see for yourself. Ever heard the phrase; “you have to go along to get along?” That’s a good example of peer pressure. Don’t get me wrong, some peer pressure is good, so long as it is positive, constructive and not dangerous. It’s the peer pressure that takes you out of your own comfort zone that can be the most dangerous and even life-threatening, but you keep it deep inside. You have to be willing to be completely honest with yourself to see where the dividing line is between fun and dangerous, and be willing to make a CHOICE to accept it and go along, or do the smart thing and walk away from it…the choice is yours.  

§        IMAGE:

There is a persona, a look, a style, that all bikers have, but it doesn’t stop at the black leather clad crowd, it encompasses a variety of groups and styles. I don’t need to go into the various examples of “images” we have in the motorcycling community. Let’s just agree that there are many diversified ones, and let it go at that. All are unique, have a certain flair, meaning and even culture, especially to the individual who is involved in it whatever group he or she wants to embrace. Please remember one thing – never, ever compromise your safety or that of others around you for the sake of image “IF” that image is more about a certain “look” than it is about protection or riding right.

§        GROUPTHINK:

I read an interesting article a few years ago about “Groupthink.” Loosely translated, it is a phenomenon that occurs in a cohesive group when members let their need to agree with each other interfere with their ability to think about a decision critically and rationally.

There are three conditions that may lead to “groupthink:”

#1) - is the overestimation of the group’s ability and power, whereby members tend to ignore specific “warning signals.” This may cause a feeling of complacency which could result from an overreaction to low self-esteem, resulting from recent failures or having been faced with a difficult task.

#2) - is the “we vs. they” attitude, which leads to stereotyping of outsiders and encourages rationalization of decisions.

#3) - is the pressure toward conformity, which results from direct pressure being applied by the group to various members who try to disagree, thus resulting in members censoring themselves in order to maintain their membership in the group. All of this can be detrimental to an organization…that is unless you’re aware of it, identify it and work together instead of in a “groupthink” mindset.

However you choose to ride, dress or act while you ride is up to you as an individual. With all due respect, I also must caution each of you to be aware of the pitfalls out there…they can turn out to be an abyss you don’t want to fall into. If the choices you make are based on conformity, and following along rather than leading the way, then I suggest you please reconsider the risks you are taking, know the consequences, and be willing to deal with them.

Try not to allow yourselves to fall into a “groupthink” mentality. As individuals, let’s be aware that peer pressures exist and recognize how powerful and dangerous it can be. Let’s also make sure we do not allow it to control us as individuals, especially if that control places us in an unsafe environment or puts us in a situation whereby the risks associated with it are more than we are willing to accept.

I sincerely believe that if we all work together on making choices we can live with, and leading by example, then we’ll assure ourselves of the best chance possible to enjoy riding and each other’s company for years to come – and being in step and hand to hand with having fun is safety…and that should be every rider’s #1 priority!

Ride as if your life depends on it – because it does.

Gary 

On Sunday morning, September 6^th, 2009, I was working a Sheriff’s detail at the Romeo Airport. It was basically a “PR” thing and nothing strenuous or even remotely dangerous. That is unless you consider small aircraft buzzing around or a swarm of wide-eyed kids and hungry grandparents dangerous (yeah, I know – they can be).

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

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.”

This term was given birth back in 1978 when cult leader James Warren (Jim) Jones so captivated and controlled his membership or “congregation” that he was able to convince 900 of them to participate in a mass-suicide by drinking a poison laced drink that was said to be grape flavored Kool Aid. Hence the term “Kool Aid Drinkers” was born to loosely identify anyone who may be a follower of any organization, team or philosophy be it good or bad.

Let’s take this term “Kool Aid Drinker” with the understanding that it can be used to describe an individual’s position with the very worst or very best of something…and use it to reflect upon ourselves and how we view our own lives, especially those of us who ride motorcycles. Now let’s try to put a different more positive twist on that term and re-apply it to motorcycle riders, bikers, enthusiasts or whatever else you care to call yourself.

The “positive twist” I’m talking about is MOTORCYCLE SAFETY. So just for “S&G’s” let’s use the term “Safety Kool Aid” and call anyone who cares to drink from that cup “Safety Kool Aid Drinkers” or “SKAD’s.” This will describe anyone who cares enough to take a drink of Safety Kool Aid before they ride so they have it in them while they ride. And they do it because they accept the fact that riding a motorcycle can be a very risky and dangerous business. They know understand that there are consequences involved in the risks they take and they strive to always try to minimize those risks.

Most of us have at one time or another, come across the individual who has never even taken a sniff from the vat of “Safety Kool Aid,” let alone taken any form or motorcycle safety or riding class. We’ve heard them say something to the order of “I’m self-taught” or “I already know how to ride, so why should I take safety / riding classes?” or better yet, “I’ve been riding for “X” miles or “X” years…that’s my training!” Or one of my personal favorites…”I’ve been riding for “X” years (or miles) and I have never dropped my bike, so why do I need a motorcycle safety class?!” Indeed – why do you?

Through the years and with a significant amount of luck, these so called “bikers” have developed a mental attitude that gives them a false perception that they are good or “safe” riders, but in reality they’re standing on shaky ground. Another thing…they always seem to know everything there is about riding a motorcycle…just ask them. I know you all know someone (man and / or woman) that fits that description - am I right? So I ask you, are these riders living on borrowed time? You betcha, and it’s only a matter of time when they will find themselves faced with a situation where all their “skills” (or lack thereof) will play a key role in the outcome of their ride, especially when that (fill in the blank) pulls out in front of them. Sooner or later their luck is going to run out. I can site example after example of riders I’ve known who have experienced just that…some are scarred, some physically or mentally changed for life, and unfortunately others have lost their lives.

Motorcycle riding consists of a combination of motor & mental skills that are taught, learned and practiced. In the school of motorcycle riding, there is no graduation, only continuous improvement. Training and then re-training, always improving our mind and eyes to overcome some basic, natural instincts is one of the keys to being able to control the rest of our body, allowing us to better develop and improve the motor (riding) skills needed that enable us to operate a motorcycle efficiently and safely…but it doesn’t stop there.

Regardless of whether or not you take a BRC, NRC (HD’s Rider’s Edge), ERC or one of a number of specialized advanced classes, formal motorcycle training emphasizes how to best blend together the motor & mental skills that will allow you as a rider to better understand the risk and consequences associated with riding a motorcycle.

However, when this life-saving knowledge is refused or viewed as less than worthy of your time (because you already know how to ride)…then you may be a good candidate for an attitude change. You have at your disposal a variety of classes locally that give you the opportunity to learn and develop your skills – so please take the initative to do so before you find yourself wishing you had.

For those of you who consider yourselves “experienced riders” and haven’t taken a formal class because you are not sure why you should (you already know how to ride so what are you gonna get out of it anyway), let me put it to you like this: We’ve all seen the child who refuses a particular food that is offered even though that child has no idea what it is or what it tastes like. Why the child refuses it makes no good sense to those of us who actually know how good it tastes and how good it is for you. Like the child, you simple don’t know what you don’t know. But once the child tastes it and realizes it ain’t so bad – they want more. Having never taking a riding class (i.e. Motorcycle Safety Class) you don’t really know what the difference is between simply knowing how to “operate” a motorcycle verse actually knowing how to “ride” one – safely.

If you do elect to take a sip from the glass of “Safety Kool Aid,” by taking a formal riding class, then make the effort to practice the lessons taught and learned by incorporating them into your every day riding…and when you do, it’s going to show…not only in the way you ride, but it will also show in your confidence and your overall attitude. You will become more skillful (“wow, he/she can really ride well!”) and the world of riding a motorcycle may just open up a bit more to you.

What really defines a good motorcycle rider is not how you look, its how you ride…and if you practice safe motorcycle riding, and consider the risks BEFORE you climb on and go for a ride…that trumps every “image” out there…and who knows, it may one day save your hide or even your life.

Drink the Kool Aid – and ride safe!

Gary

 Upsetting? Sure it is, as is the loss of any friend or family member…and with compassion to our fellow man, our hearts go out to the families of these (3) individuals who were taken from us at a relatively early stage of their lives.  

 As a Motorcycle Safety Instructor, every time I see or read about any motorcycle crash it is very upsetting, regardless if I actually know the individual involved or not…and fatalities hit home even harder. I’m compelled to ask “how did this happen,” and “what did this individual do or not do that added to this unfortunate series of events?” I also ask the question “how can we as motorcycle riders learn from the mistakes and unfortunate tragedies of others?  

In Motorcycle Safety Classes, I (we) always preach “ride with a strategy, dress for the crash” and “always ride sober.” We don’t preach & teach that just because just it’s part of the curriculum…we do it because it is information that could save your life…and a lesson we believe in.

For those of you who have taken any motorcycle safety class, you learned in part that riding a motorcycle is “a skill of the mind and eyes.” Remember that statement or shall I say “lesson?” What do you think that means – exactly? Does it mean that one must learn to overcome one’s natural instincts to look down? Sure it does. How about turning your head and looking through the turn? Remember that one? Oh yeah…”keep your head and eyes up,” or “use both brakes correctly,” and the list goes on from there.

These are all good pointers that will make us better, more proficient riders “IF” we choose to adopt them and practice them…but if you think that the saying motorcycle riding is a “skill of the mind and eyes” stops there…read on…

Let’s start with the first individual whose death I learned about through a friend…he was riding his motorcycle and was cut off by a drunk driver. The local police crash scene investigators said “he did nothing wrong” adding that “he was not at fault.”

Having lost two very close friends to motorcycle crashes (actually witnessing one), I know full well how motorcycle crashes can happen, and sometimes, as in the case of my one buddy, there really is nothing you can do (that is part of the risk we take as motorcycle riders)…but when you learn the “rest of the story,” about this first individual I mentioned, it invokes a somewhat different reaction and should cause us all to think about the choices we make.

Yes, this individual was innocently riding his motorcycle, and doing nothing wrong (he was not at fault) when the %#$& drunk cut him off. But let’s think about that statement; “he did nothing wrong.” Oh really? As we learn more of the story, the majority of the actual injuries he sustained were of the nature that most of us would have survived (broken ribs, arm, some cuts and abrasions)…so what killed him? The fact is, he died of massive head trauma. This individual was riding his motorcycle in a state where they have no helmet laws, so he made the choice to not wear his helmet. Why he made that choice is known only to him, but it was one that cost him his life. Crash reports said that had he been wearing a helmet he’d have survived the crash…and those are the facts.

Now let’s go back and ask ourselves if he really didn’t do anything wrong or was he really not at fault? For sure he didn’t cause the crash that cost him his life, but he WAS responsible for making a fatal decision to not wear his helmet.

Lesson #1 we just learned (again) – dress for the crash, and always wear a GOOD helmet, not one of these novelty “flower pots” you see some “bikers” wearing just to skate past the helmet laws. PLEASE don’t compromise your own personal safety for the sake of some “image” – it’s just not worth it. If you value what goes in a helmet, wear a good one, and if you value the rest of your body – protect it.

“Motorcycle riding is a skill of the mind and eyes.”

Let’s look at individual #2 – he died instantly when the motorcycle he was riding swerved across the centerline and ran head on into the front of a pickup truck. So what happened? The facts are - it was 12:10AM, he was on a dark 2-lane country road, and this individual was drunk.

Lesson #2 we just learned (again) – DO NOT ride (or drive) while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicants – period.

“Motorcycle riding is a skill of the mind and eyes.”

Now this brings us to individual #3 – he died when the motorcycle he was riding ran off the road in a curve and he hit a sign. It was daylight, he was sober, and I assume he was wearing a helmet given that this crash happened in Michigan. What went wrong is that he failed to negotiate the curve correctly and lost control.

Lesson #3 we just learned (again) – the #1 cause of single, fatal motorcycle crashes happens when the rider fails to negotiate a curve correctly. SLOW DOWN!

“Motorcycle riding is a skill of the mind and eyes.”

There we have it - (3) individuals who died while doing something they loved…riding a motorcycle. Their families are grieving over the loss(s), and are forever changed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to each and every one of them because we all know too well how the loss of a friend or family member makes us feel…and simply stated – it sucks.

Each individual circumstance, different in nature as they were, all had the same tragic result, but it should also serve as a good example of what can happen when you ride and but fail apply good judgment or a good strategy…and we should all take a moment to reflect upon and learn from this.  

Motorcycle riding really is a skill of the mind and eyes, and what should never be lost in that statement is the deeper message to always use good judgment, understanding the consequences of the risks you choose to take, and always striving to keep those risks at a minimum.

The “skill of the mind and eyes” that guides you to making good judgments shouldn’t wait until you are on your motorcycle and in motion. In reality, the skill of good judgment should always be in effect BEFORE you actually swing a leg over that bike because it is at that point in your LIFE that you are faced with making a choice to do the right thing, or to take an un-necessary chance that could later prove to be fatal.

As the riding season here in Michigan draws reluctantly to a close, give some thought to how you as an individual approach riding your motorcycle, and perhaps give some thought to your family and friends and how you think they would feel if they suddenly lost you because you failed to make the right choice.  

Motorcycle riding really is a skill of the mind and eyes, so please use that ever important and vital skill to make the right choice, especially before you begin your ride…then, ENJOY THE RIDE!

Gary Lewandowski October, 2008

You've seen them on the highways...we jokingly call them "Road Alligators," and we all know what they are. We've often seen them lying in the roadway, basking themselves in the sun with no consideration to that fact that they just may be in our path of travel. But has anyone actually ever seen how these delightful *creatures* are "born?" I'm sure some of you have...but if not, let me tell you from personal experience, it's a loud, scary event that can have what the military calls "collateral damage" if you happen to be anywhere near it when it happens. 

Several weeks ago, I made a trip through the southern states (Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South & North Carolina and Virginia), and I noticed something that was happening more frequently than I have ever noticed before...and that was the explosion and tearing apart of tires off semi-trucks. I'm not sure if it was something in the air or water or what was going on, but in a 4 day span I actually saw (6) truck tires literally explode and fly off the rim. During 2 of these "events," I was close enough to hear the "shredding" sound prior too, and then actually feel the loud "BANG" when it let go...but I was lucky not to get hit with anything, even though I was traveling in a car.