A Very Important Message from the Sirens Safety Goddess
ATGATT! (All The Gear All The Time)
Riders and passengers,
This graphic (and it is quite graphic) was sent to me as a reminder of the need for proper footwear while riding. This is a great topic (not just footwear – gear in general).
Back in 2002, during one of the first Sirens’ meetings I attended, a club member passed around a motorcycle boot and told of how it had significantly reduced an injury. I knew that gear was important, not just for the aesthetics but I was also a bit skeptical as the well-worn boot circulated the room.
Two years later I was involved in a hit and run in which a car driver hit my left foot, breaking bones and my gearshift lever. After hearing the story and then seeing my badly bruised foot and the X-rays showing only minor broken bones, my orthopedist was surprised at how little damage I sustained. He said he was impressed that my motorcycle boots protected my foot as well as they did.
If any number of us can attest to the fact that due to our jackets, helmets, boots, pants, or gloves our injuries have been reduced, why is it that so many riders (and passengers) do not gear up before a ride?
I am suggesting, imploring even, that you always wear protective gear, even the minimum of long pants, long sleeves (preferably motorcycle jacket), boots, eye protection, and gloves. Demand of your passenger the same.
If you want to see the gruesome picture, click here. Hopefully we can learn from someone else’s mistake and never need to learn this the hard way.
Alyssa
Safety Goddess
Safety Videos and Links
The following videos were posted by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. It is a requirement of membership in our club to take part in a Basic Rider Course offered by the MSF. As a club, we also encourage other classes by the MSF and often take them as a group.
The link below is an excellent illustration of group riding technique put together by the Sunset Chapter of H.O.G. in Tigard, Oregon.
http://www.sunsethog.com/group-ride-orientation