Safety Sense
Check back as new Safety Sense articles are added below.
Staggered Riding Flyer
MSF’s Group Riding Video
MSF’s Guide to Group Riding
T-CLOCS and SEE
Massachusetts Motorcycle Manual - always a good place to
start
Massachusetts Motorcycle Annual Reports - cool stuff to know
Safety Sense Articles:
December 2008
Riding a motorcycle in cooler months presents a different set
of concerns than riding in the
warmer months, first and foremost is the proper riding gear. If
you haven’t “gone electric” then layering helps. Wind can be a
factor also when keeping warm. You can become uncomfortably numb
from the wind. It is extremely important to keep yourself well
insulated.
Now that you are dressed properly beware of the road hazards.
The wind has blown the leaves off the trees and onto the
streets, which can cause the bike to loose traction. Now add
moisture to these leaves and you have an ice rink, causing the
roads to become super slick. Black Ice, just the name, is
ominous. It is hard to see frozen water on the road, which can
occur any time the temperature nears freezing. Keep in mind that
bridges cool faster than roads because they are disconnected
from the warmth of the Mother Earth. So if you feel like you are
on an Icy patch don’t make any sudden moves, don’t brake. Pull
in the clutch and
let the bike coast until you are clear of the Icy patch.
One last thing to keep in mind is to keep you well hydrated.
You still lose moisture in the
winter months so drink fluids because Old Man winter can suck
the moisture right out of you.
Safe riding,
— Sheryl Henderson
Safety Officer
October 2008
The Deadly Dozen:
5 Motorcycle Safety Myths and Misconceptions
From the February 2006 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine. By
Art Freidman.
Myth 1: Other Drivers Don’t Care About Motorcyclists
It may be hard to believe at times, but most drivers almost
never actually want to hit a motorcyclist. Most of those near
misses come about because they don’t know that you are there,
even when you are right in front of them. You can be obscured or
completely hidden by glare, by other things on or along the
road, by the cars roof pillars, the handicap hangtag, or by
other traffic. Of course, not all drivers "think motorcycles"
and make the effort to look that extra bit harder to see if
there might be a motorcyclist hidden by that obscuration or in
their blind spot.
Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives
Yeah, there are a few situations—like where you are right next
to a driver with his window down who is about the to change
lanes—where full-time noise-makers might help a driver notice
you, but all that noise directed rearward doesn't do much in the
most common and much more dangerous conflict where a car turns
in front of you. Maybe it's the fatigue caused by the noise,
maybe it's the attitudes of riders who insist on making annoying
noise, or perhaps loud bikes annoy enough drivers to make them
aggressive. Whatever the reason, the research shows that bikes
with modified exhaust systems crash more frequently than those
with stock pipes. If you really want to save lives, turn to a
loud jacket or a bright helmet color, which have been proven to
do the job. Or install a louder horn. Otherwise, just shut up.
Myth 3: Motorcycle Helmets Break Necks
In fact, the energy-absorbing qualities of a DOT motorcycle
helmet also absorb the energy that breaks riders' necks in
impacts. Studies show that helmeted motorcyclists actually
suffer fewer neck injuries when they crash compared to riders
who crash
without helmets.
Myth 4: Helmets Block Your ability to See and Hear Danger The
thing you learn when you dig into the research is that
motorcycle riders who use helmets crash less frequently than
those who don't. Maybe that happens because motorcyclists who
decide to wear helmets have a better or more realistic attitude
about riding. Maybe it's because putting on a helmet is a
reminder that what you are about to do can be dangerous and the
act of accepting protection puts you in the right mindset. Maybe
it's because a helmet provides eye protection and cuts down wind
noise so you can actually see and hear better. Maybe its
because, by cutting wind
pressure and noise, a helmet reduces fatigue. Whatever the
reasons, wearing a helmet clearly does not increase a
motorcyclist's risk of having an accident and wearing one
correlates to reduced likelihood of an accident.
Myth 5: A Helmet Won’t Help in Most Crashes People look at the
seemingly low impact speeds used in motorcycle-helmet testing
and assume that if you are going faster than that, the helmet
will no longer be up to the job. That ignores a few critical
facts: Most accidents happen at relatively low speeds. Most of
the impact energy is usually vertical—the distance your head
falls until it hits. Helmets (or at least helmets that meet DOT
standards) perform spectacular life-saving feats at impact
speeds far above those used in testing.
When a helmeted rider suffers a fatal head injury, it frequently
doesn't matter, because, to hit hard enough to sustain that
fatal injury, he sustained multiple additional fatal injuries to
other parts of his body. In other words, the fact that the
helmet didn't prevent the head injury was of no consequence. The
numbers clearly say that riders using DOT helmets simply survive
crashes more successfully than those without them.
(NOTE: the remainder of the 12 myths will follow in our next
newsletter)
August 2008
As we all know there is a basic group-riding etiquette which
should be followed at all times to
make the ride an enjoyable one. However, this does not always
occur and we fall right back into a pattern of riding that can
cause potential threats such as riding in each other’s blind
spots. So once again I feel we need reexamine the 2-second and
1-second rule.
So here it is:
A Rider needs to space himself with at least a two second gap
from the rider directly in front
of him and a one second gap from the rider positioned diagonally
to the left or right. This
staggered formation of riding forms an important two second
“Safety Zone” that surrounds
the rider. This “Safety Zone” is important to the rider and can
be used to avoid highway dangers without sacrificing the safety
of others. The “Safety Zone” can give you the feeling of being
comfortable and confident with yourself as well as your fellow
riders. Our Friday night rides are large and we need to really
think about the safety of ourselves as well as the safety of
others.
July 2008
Group riding is the responsibility of the Road Captain as well as the individual rider. As a Road Captain, not only is it your responsibility for planning the route but also for the following:
Try to find out the riding skill level of the group members and do not attempt to lead beyond their ability
Explain the route to predetermined destinations.
Maintain the integrity of the group
Keep in mind that the Road Captain’s job is not to be a tourist, but to maintain the group in a safe manner. If you want to just enjoy the ride, don’t volunteer to be a Road Captain.
Most importantly, keep the pace at a comfortable pace for everyone in the group. If you want to speed then do it on your own time and don’t volunteer to be a Road Captain.
The rider has an easier time on the group ride but equally as
important. As a rider you are
responsible for the following:
·Headlights should be on low beam.
·Do not pull out of a group ride without letting someone know
what is happening.
·If a rider feels that the group pace is too fast for their
comfort, then he/she should let a Road Captain or Safety officer
know. This needs to be addressed so the pace can be adjusted.
Group riding can be a lot of fun if everyone is comfortable.
Remember to leave the egos at home and have respect for each
other. Group Riding should not be, and is never a
race! Just be safe and have fun.
Safe riding,
— Sheryl Henderson
Safety Officer
June 2008
Know Your Limits
When riding a motorcycle a rider should be 100% aware of the
risks, constantly improving their skills, never making
assumptions, and always scanning their environment with all of
their senses. Knowing your limits can depend on your riding
skill and comfort level. There are rules that apply to all
riders, no matter the skill level. Riding in an overly
aggressive manner is never acceptable in a group. There's no
excuse for jeopardizing others by pushing your limits on the
street. For all of us, we’re riding to have a good time. A good
time for some is pushing their limits when taking corners at
inappropriate speeds. Unfortunately these riders endanger those
around them in the group and can become statistics that we all
read about. Riding while tired is another risk that no rider
should take. When you're tired, your reflexes
are slowed and your judgment is not as strong – a combination
that no motorcycle rider or passenger can afford. Remember, out
on the open road, you must take responsibility for all
your actions, and keeping yourself safe should always be your
number one concern. So you should ride at your own pace, slow
down when conditions call for it and finally don’t let others
dictate state of mind. Never let anyone push you beyond your
ability to operate your motorcycle. You have nothing to prove to
anyone but yourself. Just be safe and have fun.
Safe riding,
— Sheryl Henderson
Safety Officer
May 2008
Every ride should be a safe ride so here are a few tips for riding in a group. As we all know that riding in a group requires an extreme level of awareness and concentration. All of us should know our limits and ride within them; never ride above them. Keep in mind that there are a lot of things that come into play which can affect our ability to handle the motorcycle properly. Some limitations can be mental, physical, environmental, experience level and the motorcycle itself.
Here are a few tips that will make riding in a group more enjoyable and safe:
Maintain a constant speed. This helps prevent the “rubber band
effect”.
Always ride in a courteous staggered formation using the
2-second and 1-second rule.
Your eyes should be watching a few bikes up the road from you,
not fixed on the one directly in front of you or the nice
looking person on the side of the road. Always be looking at
least four seconds ahead. This will help the rider anticipate
any hazards, turns or stops.
Never come up to a motorcycle in front or beside you. You are
invading their space and is very dangerous. The only time bikes
are to be side by side is when the group is stopped at an
intersection or red light.
When in a tight curve, the rider on the outside of the curve is
required to give room to the rider on the inside in case the
curve is too tight negotiate at that speed without crowding.
Although we are on a group ride, safety is a personal
responsibility not only to the rider but to everyone they are
riding with. So please ride safe and have fun.
Safe riding,
— Sheryl Henderson
Safety Officer
April 2008
Now that riding season is upon us it is time for us to revisit how to ride in formation. The staggered riding formation allows a proper space cushion between motorcycles so that each rider has enough time and space to maneuver and to react to hazards. The leader rides in the left third of the lane, while the next rider stays at least one second behind in the right third of the lane; the rest of the group follows the same pattern.
A single-file formation is preferred on a curvy road, under conditions of poor visibility or poor road surfaces, entering/leaving highways, or other situations where an increased space cushion or maneuvering room is needed.
Always avoid riding side-by-side. Riding side-by -side
reduces the space cushion and if a sudden need to swerve to
avoid a hazard occurs, you would not have room to do so. You
don’t want handlebars to get entangled or cause a rider to go
down.
Safe riding,
— Sheryl Henderson
Safety Officer
March 2008
This safety sense is about hand signals, not the kind that a
few of you have been using!!! Hand signals are extremely helpful
to the rider who has no other means of communication. The most
important hand signals are:
Pointing to an obstacle in the road, warning other riders to
avoid it.
Pointing to the tank to let others know when you are in need of
a tank full of gas or the needs a potty break. Most importantly
it might indicate the rider is having technical difficulties.
Technical difficulties may indicate the rider needs fuel, has
mechanical or equipment problems, or because the rider may have
a medical problem. Whatever the issue might be it is important
for the group or the sweep to stop as soon as conveniently
possible.
Please review these hand signals on the safety sense link found
on grunts and squeals web site.
PS: We have an unwritten Ken Corey/ Guy Wills rule to riding:
"before the ride, fill one tank and empty the other".
Safe riding,
— Sheryl Henderson
Safety Officer
