Safety

Northshore Chapter #9037
New Brunswick, Canada

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MAIN DIRECTORY

Fellow Members;

Yes, the Gaspe Ride ended up being a great ride considering the way we started out on Saturday morning. From the dealer in New Richmond to the first butt stop, we were a major accident waiting to happen. Most of the bikes were all over the road causing a hazard to the bikes behind them. At one point there were about four bikes riding in a single file with about six feet between them. I could not see a reason for this because the first bikes were riding in proper formation. If they could do it why couldn't the rest? Even though the lead bike was running between 80 and 90 km/hr those at the back, myself included, were running between 70 and 120 km/hr. This was because some of the bikes were falling back 20 to 25 bike lengths. Then, they would take off to catch up making everyone behind them do the same. When riding in a group this is not the place to do such things. You don't have to impress the rider behind you. We are all riding Harleys. After seeing this I felt as Road Captain it was my duty to inform the group of the potential hazard some of the bikes were causing. I thought it was easier to inform them of this than scrape them off the pavement. After doing so at the first butt stop, we started riding in a lot safer manner and got better as the day went on. I informed the group of this at our dinner break and no more was said for the rest of the trip. There will always be one or two that have to be different and the rest of us will have to live with it. All we can do is watch out for them.

The purpose of riding in formation is for safety plain and simple. This puts about two bike lengths between you and the rider in front of you be it right or left depending on where you are in the formation. It also puts about five bike lengths between you and the rider directly in front of you. With these distances you can relax and enjoy the ride because if something happens you have enough distance and time to react in a safe and proper manner. A good guide to use when setting the distance between you and the bike in front of you is to look in the mirror of the bike in front. If you can see the rider's face clearly then he can see you. This puts you a safe distance behind them and also lets them know where you are at all times. When the rider in front of you gets out of position and stays there then they are cutting your reaction time and distance by two- thirds. This is how accidents happen! Enclosed is a copy out of HOG TALES showing the proper position to ride when in a group. If you have a favourite position to ride in then count the bikes leaving and fall into your position. All odd numbers, 1-3-5 etc, ride next to the center line and all even numbers, 2-4-6 etc, ride next to the curb. When you get in the group and you are not where you want to be PLEASE don't just stay out of position. Drop back and ask the next bike to move up so everybody will be in a safe position. If you stay out of position you are putting yourself and all the bikes behind you in danger.

Every rider should be aware of what is going on in front of them as well as behind them. They must be considerate of their fellow bikers because as most of us know we don't get any consideration from the cars on the road.

I have been riding for over forty years and in the beginning it was the more experienced riders that told me what I was doing wrong. I did not feel stressful but was glad that someone with more experience took the time and interest to inform me of the proper and safe way to ride. I was grateful that they did not let me ride unsafe and think that I was doing great. By doing this they not only kept me safe but all the riders around me as well.

So not only look out for yourself but your fellow biker. Be considerate and ride in formation. Keep yourself safe and everyone around as well. I do hope that this information will keep you safe to enjoy many years of biking.

Garry D.
Road Captain
NSHC

I am pleased to see that members are visiting these pages and reading the articles posted here. The following email was received and is a response to the last Director's Message. Your feedback is very much appreciated and we encourage you to express your opinions. We will post all email responses and opinions that we receive considering they are in good taste and of appropriate topic. By doing this we hope to become a better informed group of Harley Owners.