THE PERSON IN THE MIRROR

Consider a warm sunny summer day in Wisconsin; a perfect day for a motorcycle ride. As the weather changes, clouds form and change in temperature and suddenly rain starts to fall. You choose to stop riding because of the changes in being seen, increased stopping distances, less traction on the roadways and because you just don't want to get wet. All valid reasons to stop riding until the storm passes.

Now, consider the choice to consume alcohol and then get on a motorcycle. Why is it that you will stop riding due to rain but continue riding after consuming alcohol? 46% of motorcycle fatalities involve just the cycle, no other traffic; while 27% involve another vehicle failing to yield the right of way. Everytime we hear of a motorcycle fatality, we are quick to blame the other vehicle has the cause!

Motorcyclist's need to LOOK OUT.......................for themselves! The person in the mirror is to blame for most motorcycle fatalities. 96% of all motorcycle crashes involve injury to rider and/or passenger!

As it starts to rain and you choose to stop riding because it is safer and you want to minimize the risks of riding, make the same choice when it comes to consuming alcohol. Motorcycling is inherently dangerous because of the risks.

Ride Smart, Ride Safe, Ride Sober ! Be in control at all times.

THE REF

What's all the excitement around Wisconsin's new mobile classroom? Wisconsin Department of Transportation & Bureau of Transportation Safety through a Federal Grant is promoting motorcycling safety programs in such a way it reaches ALL riders. THE REF (Transportable High-End Rider Education Facility) will provide an interactive approach to motorcycle safety. The classroom's mobility is key to delivering the product. By being mobile, THE REF will deliver motorcycle safety education to locations where riders, passengers and the public gather.

Nearly 80% of all motorcycle riders never have and never will take a rider education class. Sometimes even the simplest tip or survival technique can make the difference in living or dying. Since riders won't come to us, THE REF will go to them....to where they gather. Through a compelling display, riders will experience a non-intrusive and insightful way to learn to be both a better and safer rider. Along the way, somewhere, someday, one of them will survive, who otherwise would not have.

"Similar to other states, Wisconsin motorcycle deaths typically represent 14% of all traffic fatalities, yet account for but 6.8% of all vehicle registrations. This disparity is accomplished over a shortened riding season of less than 9 months. Here in 2009, we continue to record record-low traffic fatalities, with motorcycles currently representing more than 17% of all traffic deaths. Wisconsin ridership continues to climb rapidly, with a 61% increase in registration in just the past 5 years alone. Motorcycling is inherently dangerous, where over 90% of those involved in a traffic crash will suffer some degree of injury."-Major Daniel Lonsdorf, Director, Bureau of Transportation Safety Wisconsin.

What's on board THE REF? Interactive programming starts with 2 Honda SMARTrainers (Safe Motorcyclist Awareness & Recognition Trainer). A RiderCoach will facilitate students through the use of the SMARTrainers as well as a printout of how well the rider did. Another interactive program includes the use of several large screen LED monitors that will be used by RiderCoaches to show training videos as well as other presentations. In the rear of THE REF is a garage that houses 3 training motorcycles which will be used with MSF's newly created IME (Introductory Motorcycle Experience) Training. THE REF also will work with up to 4 seasoned riders with the help of 2 Law Enforcement Motor Officers as they conduct a street-riding experience.

It is an exciting time for the State of Wisconsin as we ZERO in on Zero fatalities in Wisconsin. If you request additional information on THE REF or would like to schedule THE REF at your event, please contact Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program THE REF Coordinator, Phil Neidner at phil.neidner@dot.wi.gov

Where to see THE REF: Suburban Harley-Davidson during The Milwaukee Rally, September 2-5, BMW Rally (Chula Vista/Wisconsin Dells) September 10-12, Tomahawk Fall Color Rally September 16-19, Ride the Ribbon Breast Cancer Ride in Oconomowoc September 25 & 26.

Remember 5=Zero; Ride Unimpaired of drugs & Alcohol, Wear All the Gear All the Time, Get Trained & Licensed, Ride Within Your Ability and Always Maintain Your Motorcycle. Keep in mind these 5 objectives will lead to Zero fatalities in Wisconsin, a vision we can all live with!

Practice Safe Riding - Safe A Life....YOURS!

This newly created blog will address motorcycle safety. Ever wonder why with motorcyclist's making up a small percentage of motorized vehicles on Wisconsin roads, the number of fatalities continue to rise year after year? Studies have shown that many riders have never attended a motorcycle safety education course.

These courses range from beginner, move onto experienced, and then advanced training. No matter what your skill level may be, there is a class offered to help make you more proficient on your ride. No matter whether you ride a Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Ducati, Yamaha, Moto Guzzi, Buell or one of the many customs, practice safe riding skills. Motorcycling is inherently risky. A risk is defined by Wikipedia as, "Combination of the likelihood of an occurrence of a hazardous event or exposure(s) and the severity of injury or ill health that can be caused by the event or exposure(s)." Since motorcycling is risky, don't you want to manage these risks, so they don't turn into a hazard? Minimize the risks by getting trained.

Future articles will discuss key elements of safe riding; those being riding unimpaired, get trained and licensed, wear all the gear all the time, practice safe riding skills and maintaining your motorcycle. These 5 elements make-up 5=Zero, a Wisconsin initiative reducing motorcycle fatalities to ZERO! You can read about 5=Zero on my other blog v-twin ventures.

The State of Wisconsin received a federal grant and has partnered with The Blue Knights Wisconsin XVIII and Innocorp to create a mobile classroom. This classroom is entitled, "THE REF" (Rider Education Facility). In the coming weeks an article will address THE REF on this blog site. I have been hired as the Coordinator for THE REF and will introduce it to you the reader as well as publish an event schedule where you can experience what THE REF has to offer. Check back and read about THE REF and other motorcycle safety issues.

If you have ideas on future articles or want to publish and article on this site, please send them to me and I will try to post them. This site is a work in progress and I need your help in educating not only motorcycle riders, but those that drive those "caged" vehicles too.

Until later, Ride Safe, Sober, Straight and FREE!