Hole in the Wall
Look Around
RECEIVED Mon., May 17, 2004
Dear Editor,
On May 6, 2004, at the Austin City Council meeting, Austin Mayor Will Wynn presented Austin area bikers with a proclamation declaring May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.
"I didn't see them." That tends to be the most popular answer from someone who just hit a motorcyclist. Why is it so hard to see, or even hear for that matter, a motorcyclist? All motorcycles run with the headlight on at all times. Exhaust pipes are often changed out to make them louder. So why are they so hard to see?
The following is an excerpt of an article written by Lenny Cummings concerning motorcycle safety and awareness. It is titled "Look Around."
"Following too close:
You have to realize the only thing between that rider and the ground is a 650 pound machine and air. If a rider has to stop in a hurry for any reason the last thing he wants is a 3000-pound-plus car/truck running up his/her back and launching them over the handlebars. Keep a respectable distance. Remember a motorcycle can stop a lot faster than a car/truck.
Look twice before you turn:
Take a good look down the road before you turn. Motorcycles sometimes aren't easy to see. A car or truck can easily block the presence of a motorcycle. Not all motorcycles are equipped to run with their headlights on all the time. Take a second look before you pull out into traffic.
Make sure you have plenty of room before you turn:
I have had drivers pull out in front of me or make a left turn in front of me with less than adequate room. Now whether they thought they had room, were in hurry, or whatever the case may be, I had to come down hard on the brakes or lock them up.
So give all riders plenty of room."
On May 6, 2004, at the Austin City Council meeting, Austin Mayor Will Wynn presented Austin area bikers with a proclamation declaring May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.
"I didn't see them." That tends to be the most popular answer from someone who just hit a motorcyclist. Why is it so hard to see, or even hear for that matter, a motorcyclist? All motorcycles run with the headlight on at all times. Exhaust pipes are often changed out to make them louder. So why are they so hard to see?
The following is an excerpt of an article written by Lenny Cummings concerning motorcycle safety and awareness. It is titled "Look Around."
"Following too close:
You have to realize the only thing between that rider and the ground is a 650 pound machine and air. If a rider has to stop in a hurry for any reason the last thing he wants is a 3000-pound-plus car/truck running up his/her back and launching them over the handlebars. Keep a respectable distance. Remember a motorcycle can stop a lot faster than a car/truck.
Look twice before you turn:
Take a good look down the road before you turn. Motorcycles sometimes aren't easy to see. A car or truck can easily block the presence of a motorcycle. Not all motorcycles are equipped to run with their headlights on all the time. Take a second look before you pull out into traffic.
Make sure you have plenty of room before you turn:
I have had drivers pull out in front of me or make a left turn in front of me with less than adequate room. Now whether they thought they had room, were in hurry, or whatever the case may be, I had to come down hard on the brakes or lock them up.
So give all riders plenty of room."
Tonya Williams