2Wheeltips

As a father you would do anything to keep your child safe. There should be no difference when it comes to them riding as a passenger on a motorcycle!

My daughter has been riding with me since she was four years old and has been riding for four years. Let me tell you that it's been a blast for both of us, it's something we can share and enjoy together. We try to ride as much as we can, school drop-offs/pick-ups, shopping, visits to grandparents house and windy rides along the river.

But, before this wonderful adventure began; I wanted to make sure that we did it right! My initial thought was a harness, research on children riding motorcycles had confirmed some reservations that I had on certain techniques and opened my eyes to things I didn't think about.

The obvious one for me was proper attire and a well fitting helmet; this just made sense, or because my daughter was so young, I knew getting thwapped by a junebug and holding up an oversided adult helmet would not be enjoyable or comfortable for her. The other factor is to be prepared for any circumstance and that the helmets inability to do it's job if it does not fit right.

The technique I was never fond of was the thought of having my daughter ride in front of me on the motorcycle. I came across an article that talked about a child slipping and the choice of letting go of the handlbars to catch them...and you know where this is leading! If you let go of the handlebars (even with one hand) what else are you probably not focusing on? Yup, your eyes on the road. So, probably more than likely this progression of events is not going to end well. Also, not a choice or a scene that I would want to be stuck with replaying over and over in my mind.

So, the one item I did not think about was the fact that children can fall asleep from the vibration of the motorcycle. If it's not good to have the child sitting in front of you, now they are in back of you, with the potential to fall asleep! This completely solidified my thought of a harness that would secure her in place just in case.

The next task was finding a harness, there were belt devices that the driver wears that has loops on both sides of the rider for the child to hang on to. This was a nice setup, but a child can easily let go of the loop if they fall asleep; nothing is going to prevent them from dozing off to one side or the other. Also, with my daughter being four years old; one is trusting she'll remember what she needs to do and the other is the strength to hang on for a sustained amount of time. Keeping all these considerations in mind and some lengthy searching, I finally found the Child Riding Belt (www.childridingbelt.com).


It seemed to fit the needs that I was looking for, the ability for my daughter to ride securely behind me without the dependency of her having to hang on and in the case of her falling asleep there would be no chance of her falling off!

I can attest that this device has been great; my daughter has worn this on rides for the past four years. Over that time we have put on a couple thousand miles together and not had any issues with it. She has fallen asleep once and the harness kept her on the bike securely. I know because my back was the pillow :)

The way the harness works, there is a belt that goes around the driver, there is a foam pad between that belt and the harness for the child. This is great keeping a slight distance so the child is not pressed right up on the back of the driver. They even put two handles on the foam pad that the child can hang onto if they desire. The harness has straps that go from the bottom of the pad down around the childs upper legs and connect to the back of their belt along with straps from the top of the pad over the childs shoulders to the back part of their belt. The shoulder straps can not slip off because they are ajoined by a neck pad that supplies padding and stability for their neck.

My original goal was to have her ride to feel comfortable with and not intimidated by the motorcycle, to appreciate and respect it for what it is. What I didn't realize is what we were going to gain together, to watch her grow up on the bike and see the changes has been something I will always cherish! Our first ride, I told her to hang-on and when we stopped I found that she bruised her little hands from hanging on too tight. From then she has felt comfortable enough to not hang on and wave to the shadows as we ride along. To this year being excited to not wear the harness on short trips and hanging on to the passenger handles. That's my girl!!!

If you are contemplating having your child ride with you, I would encourage you to do your own research. My hope is that this little writeup gets you thinking about the safety issues involved and to do it right! It will make the ride for you both more relaxing and enjoyable, which will then allow it to grow into a time to cherish. Because we all know how fast our children are growing up and soon (I hope) they will be asking when they can have their own motorcycle, then maybe we've nurtured a riding companion for life!

Rider Education Article
by Gene Knutson
International Director, Rider Education

Deadly Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Take a look at the statistics below if you think riding without a motorcycle helmet is a good way to save money.
With the number of U.S. motorcyclist deaths jumping 78% to 5,154 in 2007 from 2,897 in 2000, a recent University of Southern California study points to the wearing of a helmet as the major factor in surviving a motorcycle crash.

Below are additional statistics that explain why motorcycle insurance premiums continue to rise.

Motorcycle Fatality Statistics:
Although motorcycles represent only 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States, motorcyclists accounted for 13% of total traffic fatalities in 2007.  Per registered vehicle, the fatality rate for both motorcycle operators and passengers is 5.5 times higher than that for passenger car occupants.  Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 35 times more likely to die in a car crash than people traveling in passenger cars.
These findings are among the most recent statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Deadly Motorcycle Crash Statistics:
During 2007, 50% of all fatal motorcycle crashes involved collisions with another type of motor vehicle in transport. Of these two-vehicle crashes, 78% of motorcycles involved were struck from the front. Only 5% were struck from the rear.  In 25% of fatal motorcycle crashes, the motorcyclists crashed into a fixed object like a telephone pole or a concrete abutment.   Speeding was a factor in 36% of fatal motorcycle crashes during 2007.  This compares with 24% for passenger cars, 19% for light trucks and 8% for large trucks.  Florida (530), California (495) and Texas (375) had the highest number of motorcycle fatalities in 2007.

Fewer Motorcyclists Wear Helmets:
The NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,784 motorcyclists from death in 2007. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 800 lives could have been saved.  Helmets are considered to be 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists. This means for every 100 motorcyclists killed in crashes while not wearing a helmet, 37 of them could have been saved had all 100 worn helmets.
Sadly, use of motorcycle helmets in the U.S. has declined by 13 percentage points to 58% in 2007 from 71% in 2000.
Remember, in an accident your head is usually one of the first parts of your body to feel the impact.  Why chance it, wear a helmet and continue to see the sunrise tomorrow.

When I lived in Korea, motorcycles, two wheelers, scooters, had the right of way. The culture of the people expected two wheelers to split lanes, cut in front of you and stop, run through red lights, yellow lights and green lights. It was known that a two wheeler will ride on the side walk and anywhere else it needed to ride to keep moving. I was riding and was obeying the rules of traffic, and many people in cages were upset. It appeared many were expecting me to keep moving, run the red light, split the lane etc., and when I did not, it threw everything else out of whack.  I understood and was told that if you hit a two wheeler even if it is the two wheeler's fault....you have to pay an arm and leg heavy fine. (Maybe when some of our 2wheeltips members from other countries read this, the member can add important information that wil help us, and or correct any error in my understanding and thinking). There is no such thing as, "I did not see you." The fine is so heavy that you do all that you can to see a 2 wheeler. The only thing that frightened me while riding my 2 wheeler in Korea was another 2 wheeler riding up and sharing my lane and coming out of nowhere to do it. I felt safer on my 2 wheeler than in a cage.

When I lived in Korea, I rode an 80cc scooter and then purchased a Softail Deuce Harley Davidson. When I started riding in Hawaii, I had to go through a cultural change in that motorcycles do not have the right of way and people are not looking out for you or expecting to see you.

Now, we have areas here in MI where, if you injure or kill a construction road worker, you will pay a heavy fine and spend up to 15 years in jail (or both). It says that the state is serious about protecting its workers.  So, if the fine is increased for hitting a motorcycle (sitting, moving, parked, and or standing) such as an $8,000 fine, and 6 months in jail for an injury and up to 15 years in jail for a death (no exception, regardless of who you know) then I think deaths will go down, and people will not be saying, "Oh, I didn't see the motorcycle."

It might take about 3 years for the word to get out that people are both being fined and going to jail before the culture takes it seriously.  However, in Korea, motorcycles are not allowed on the highway. Often you will see a group ride on the highway and, to my knowledge, nothing is done (the riders were riding bikes of at least 800cc). If the rule was not in place, 2wheelers with 50cc would be out there on the highway. The traffic was so thick in the inner city like Seoul that if you got up to 45mph you had a good day to remember.

Have a law passed: Cages have the right of way on the highway and bikers have the right of way on all other roads. I love riding in America; I just wish the rule of law concerning protecting bikers from cagers----was such that every biker would be 100% happy and excited that such a law existed. I would hate for a family member to have to go to jail for 15 years because a biker, due to his/her own fault went beyond his/her riding skill level, or was intoxicated and caused a cage kissing which resulted in a death. When I think of my own family member doing the right thing and the 2wheeler doing the wrong thing (with my family member paying the fine) it causes me to think differently.

The bottom line is that there needs to be a way that people who are riding a motorcycle are taken as seriously as construction workers in a work zone, and given all safety space that is needed so that no one gets hurt. (The writing of this blog is by no means the opinion of 2wheeltips, it is just the author's point of view.)

I was out on a short ride the other day with some friends. I was leading the pack since I was introducing some new roads. Once we got going, I noticed that one of my friends kept tailgating me....and at some points even passing me! He almost ran into me a few times because he could not see my turn signal in time.  It shocked me because everyone knows (at least I thought) tailgating another motorcycle is a no-no and you do not pass other motorcycles when riding in a group. If you do, you will cause a crash if the rider in front of you swerves to avoid a pot hole or brakes suddenly because traffic slowed down. Youtube.com is full of motorcycle crashes that highlight this point.

So the next time you go out for a group ride, make sure you keep our distance and never pass a bike in front of you unless the rider signals you to do so.

I was riding yesterday on a busy road just after rush hour. The traffic was slow and I was minding my own business staying in my lane and watching my following distance.

Then out of no where, an idiot on a sport bike zoomed by and passed me in MY LANE! I'm thinking to myself, what kind of fool would do such a thing? What if I would have moved a bit to avoid a pothole, or a dead animal or even a car battery in the road? He would have hit me and we would have both been hurt.

Unfortunately for him, there was a red light up ahead and I drove right up to him, tapped him on the shoulder and told him he was a complete #$%#$%^&*#@@$! and that he could have killed or hurt both of us. He was in total shock that he was getting lectured in the middle of the highway. From talking to him, I could tell he was a new rider.....perhaps 2 years or so.  After a few more choice words, I moved so he could go and he rode away. At the next intersection, he made a left turn and almost rode off the road.

I know we are all taught to stay out of the way of cars and trucks on the road, but I think we should not forget about idiots like this guy that are on the road. They tailgate in group rides, weave in and out of traffic, speed through intersections and pass too close to other riders. They can get you just as quick as a distracted driver. They are also the ones you read about in the newspapers and see on the 6pm local news.

I was reading through a few posts and messages I get each day and one of them was on first aid kits. Most people I know carry something for headaches, allergies and the occasional scrape you will get from riding. But this message spoke about the need to check your first aid kit to see if any of the medicines have expired. Something I haven't done in a while (sort of like TCLOCS....how many really do it every time they jump on their bikes?).

The message mentioned the need for sissors for cutting clothing and latex gloves if you need to help a friend.  Something I never thought about. Some of the examples I think are somewhat extreme (a stryofoam cup to contain a displaced eye).

It was a great article and had excellent information. The main point I got from it was a first aid kit should be considered part of your riding gear. Here is the link to the article.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=670733698#!/notes/eric-shah/first-aid-kits-does-yours-need-a-check-up/120787724630466

For those of you who haven't ridden through the winter and are about to start riding now that the weather seems to be getting nice here are a few tips:

• check out your bike thoroughly. Tire condition (pressure, tread, dry rot), brakes, cables, bulbs and all electrics.Check the side stand.
• Check all fluids (oil -should have been changed when you put the bike away, if not change it now)

Yep that's right give it a good TCLOCS.

All you gear heads get out the wrenches and get to work. All those not mechanically inclined, call your dealer service department NOW. They are about to get very busy. Fot those of you that don't know a good dealer service department, Xtreme Machines in Millstone has an excellent service department. You don't want to waste any primo riding time. Spring and fall have the most comfortable riding weather.

Remember when starting out, your skill set is a little rusty, take it slow. Those of you who have taken a BRC last year, go practice some of the exercises, braking, swerving, weaving are a good place to start, then practice your cornering and quick stopping. Those of you who are more experienced may want to consider taking an Experienced Rider Course, RENJ (Rider Education of New Jersey) offers classes. As a RiderCoach I know how important it is to reinforce proper riding habits. Pay special attention to cornering and proper entry speed, slow, look, press and roll. Remember going wide in turns is the single greatest cause of single vehicle motorcycle accidents.

I look forward to seeing you all out riding, keep the rubber side down.

Tony 

FYI. We also have motorcycle Tire recall data too. It is also in the news tab.
Let me know what you think.

We just added a news feed from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Motorcycle Recalls.

Check it out. It is located on the News tab and the link is on the right navigation at the bottom. Let us know what you think.

Harry Hurt, the motorcycle expert behind the 1981 Hurt Report, has died at the age of 81.  Many motorcyclists are familiar with Harry Hurt; the research he did analyzing 900 motorcycle accidents from 1976 - 1977 resulted in the Hurt Report, the most extensive report ever written about motorcycle accidents and their causes.  For those of you who would like to know more, we are listing the link to the article about Harry Hurt from the LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-harry-hurt2-2009dec02%2c0%2c1034954.story

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