All posts by Brandon

Motorcycle fatality rates on rise in Illinois

June 18, 2013 Brandon Leave a comment

For a month dedicated to emphasizing awareness and safety, May turned out to be deadly for motorcyclists in central Illinois.

According to data compiled by the Illinois Department of Transportation, motorcycle fatalities in Illinois climbed from 131 in 2010 to 148 in 2012 for the last two years. An increase of 13 percent is very disturbing according to all motorcycle-transportation officials.

Lt. Col. Scott Abbott of the Illinois State Police said it’s hard to peg one specific reason for why more people are dying on motorcycles. One thing analysts do know, is that more people are riding motorcycles.

The Cause of the Problem is…

Records show that Illinois has seen a 57 percent increase in the number of motorcyclists registered in the state over the past decade. On average, Illinois sees about 13,000 new motorcyclists each year, which could be at the heart of the problem. Plus many new riders aren’t getting the proper training while most learn bad riding habits from friends and family members. Other leading accident factors include improper lane usage, not negotiating curves correctly and alcohol.

IDOT launched a campaign called “Start Seeing Motorcycles.” However, Abbot believed that one of the most important thing in preventing fatalities is encouraging people to wear the proper gear. The GHSA listed motorcycle helmet laws as the most effective way to prevent motorcyclist fatalities and serious injuries, noting in the report that 706 motorcyclists would have lived nationally in 2010 had they been wearing a helmet.

Also, Abbott believed that training can correct numerous bad habits and misnomers, such as it’s wise to only use the rear brake to avoid flipping the bike. If more motorcyclists were properly trained, it could reverse the troubling trend.

“In the hands of a skilled rider, motorcycles are as safe as any vehicle,” Abbott said. “But the problem is most people are not as skilled as they could be.

To read the original article, CLICK HERE.

Motorcycle News

Firefighter motorcycle club to host ride for Autism Center

June 13, 2013 Brandon Leave a comment

SAGINAW, Michigan — Last June 9, local area fire fighters hit the streets for a cause. They ride a motorcycle to help children with Autism attend a Great Lakes Bay Autism Center summer camp at Saginaw Valley State University.The three week camp hosts two sessions for different age groups from ages 5 to 12 and includes visits from local police K-9 units and the fire department.

The Saginaw area Axeman Professional Fire Fighters Motorcycle Club host their annual charity motorcycle ride to raise money for the camp with a poker run and pig roast. The participants with the best and worst poker hands received prizes at the pig roast dinner.

To read the original article, CLICK HERE.

Motorcycle News

Rain cancels safety session on motorcycles

June 11, 2013 Brandon Leave a comment

Columbus, Georgia – Rain has canceled a session focusing on safety for motorcycle riders at the National Infantry Museum. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,motorcycle traffic deaths have increased over the last three years.

The Maneuver Center of Excellence was hosting the Motorcycle Mentorship D-day Remembrance safety ride to emphasizes safety, education of Department of the Army and post motorcycle riding policies and tips for new motorcyclists. The event that should coincide with the start of summer riding season was cancelled due to heavy rain.

To read the original post, click HERE.

Motorcycle News

Motorcycle Ride To Raise Funds for Fallen Police Officers

June 10, 2013 Brandon Leave a comment

DOVER, Delaware— Current and retired police gathered for the Wall to Wall Memorial Ride at Legislative Mall last Saturday morning. At around 9:30 a.m., the motorcycle riders left the Delaware Law Enforcement Memorial, where the names of the state’s fallen police officers are etched in stone.

Three hours later, they arrive at the National Law Enforcement Memorial at Judiciary Square in Washington where more names were written. The ride is meant to draw attention to the memorial and raise funds for maintenance. Half the ride’s proceeds will support the monument; the rest are given to the state chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS who help rebuild the lives of families of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. The organization’s programs include retreats, counseling, scholarships, and kids’ camps.

The ride’s sponsors included Dunkin Donuts, Walmart, the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Foundation, and J. R. Gettier and Associates.

To read the original article, please CLICK HERE.

Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain

Rain and two wheels often a tough mix

June 6, 2013 Brandon Leave a comment

Bud Wilkinson shared his thoughts about riding in the rain in his latest post on Republican American.

Maybe it’s time to buy a motorcycle rain gear. While I’ve never limited myself to fair weather riding, the drizzle, the showers and the full-on rain encountered in the past week when riding has me considering the acquisition of apparel designed to prevent wet jeans, a dripping leather jacket and squishy feet upon getting home.

When riding in the rain, it is not fun removing clammy garments then hanging them in assorted places to dry or wringing out socks. The only upside to soggy sojourning is your bike is clean for the next ride. Rain makes me a chicken rider due to the possibility of oil and other vehicular drippings being diffused across the blacktop.

More riders these days actually still get out for a ride no matter the forecast. The esprit de corps among riders seemingly elevates, because riding in the rain says the motorcycle operator is serious about the recreation.

The last time I bought a rain gear, a two-piece PVC rainsuit made by Tour Master, it held up for one use before falling apart. That was more than eight years ago. Maybe enough time has passed from that bad experience to try again.

To read his original post, click HERE.

Riding a Motorcycle in the Rain

Videographer’s daily headache on the motorcycle lane

June 3, 2013 Brandon Leave a comment

PETALING JAYA: A 20-minute ride to work from Puchong to their designated motorcycle lanes is a daily headache for motorcyclists like videographer Patrick Chin.

According to Chin, poorly-lit tunnels are a problem day and night. He also cited poor signage and road maintenance as the reason why many would rather use the main Federal Highway.

Chin complained about the poor design of the lane. He added that when it rains, the potholes look like puddles and many motorcycles skid or fall over after hitting a pothole. Motorcyclists had to choose between risking riding a motorcycle in the rain or waiting beneath an underpass where they would be splashed and sometimes even hit by passing vehicles.

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) had revealed that fatalities could be reduced by 30% if motorcyclists were separated from the main road.

To improve security, frequent patrols and lights at strategic sections are recommended by many riders.

To read the original article, please CLICK HERE.

Motorcycle News

Motorcycle event to honor Staten Island 9/11 hero

May 30, 2013 Brandon Leave a comment

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — This June 2, 2013, the fifth annual Lt. Chuck Margiotta FDNY Memorial Brains Brawn Bravery Motorcycle event will take place. This event will serve as a fundraiser for a scholarship fund in honor of Chuck Margiotta, a firefighter who gave his life on 9/11.

Mike Margiotta, his brother, is the family member behind the Lt. Chuck Margiotta, FDNY, Brains, Brawn, Bravery Motorcycle event held every year in early June. The event is a day-long celebration which combines friends, food and fun with Chuck’s and Mike’s love for motorcycles and his buddies in the Rolling Thunder riding club.

This year’s motorcycle run is scheduled in June 2, which will begin at Farrell (2900 Amboy Rd. in Oakwood). The registration will start from 10 a.m. until noon. The ride concludes back at Farrell where the food, beverages and classic rock and roll music will go on for many hours.

The cost for the activities is $20 for riders (passengers ride for free) and all proceeds (donations are welcome and accepted) go toward the Chuck Margiotta Scholarship Fund. This money will support a full four-year scholarship to a student/athlete who wants to attend Farrell, but needs the financial support to do so.

Margiotta said the event could not thrive without the various donations and services provided by businesses from all over Staten Island as well as New Jersey.

For those seeking more information about the event or the scholarship, visit www.ChuckMargiottaScholarshipFund.com. You can also email Mike at mix28@aol.com or call 718-698-9494.

To read the original article, click HERE.

Motorcycle News

An Annual Motorcycle Benefit Run in Ohio

May 28, 2013 Brandon Leave a comment

ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP —The Concerned Motorcycle Riders of Ohio (CMRO) Region 13 host an annual motorcycle run each year to raise money for the Special Olympics of Ashtabula County.

“This run is huge for us,” said Pam Burnett, of the Ashtabula County Special Olympics. This is about the 15th year for the ride. All the proceeds from the run benefit the athletes in Ashtabula County.

The annual run, held at Lake Shore Park, is the kick-off event for the riding season. The run is held rain or shine, and despite the somewhat chilly temperatures, the sun was shining.

The Rev. Phillip Miller, of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Conneaut, blessed the bikes before they embarked on their journey. The run started and ended at Lake Shore Park with stops at several other parks in between.The run also featured a bike show, with the Special Olympics athletes judging it.

CMRO will host six more runs this year, most of which will serve as fundraisers for local organizations. Last year, the group donated more than $9,000 to various organizations in the county, Tackett said.

To read the original article and to get updates about the upcoming motorcycle run, click HERE.

Motorcycle News

Bikers ride for charity

May 27, 2013 Brandon Leave a comment

TUPELO, Mississippi. Bikers ride in order to raise money to help fund Operation First Response. More than 300 riders and their motorcycles departed Tupelo’s BancorpSouth Arena, headed for Southern Thunder Harley in Southaven Saturday morning.

The purpose of this charity event is to raise money to help fund Operation First Response, which covers all five branches of the military for emergency financial relief. According to bikers who participated on the event, it’s the least they could to do show their support to soldiers.

Many of the bikers are former military and have returned from Afghanistan, Iraq and even Vietnam. They say events like this are worth every dollar raised.

When the charity motorcycle ride was originally put together, the intent was to do it for one year. However, organizers say as long as there is a need, they’ll continue to ride and raise money to help out the soldiers, rain or shine.

This is only one of the many charitable acts bikers in Mississippi like to do annually because it shows they care for those who are in need of extra assistance. The ride is one of three scheduled for this year.

To read the original article, please CLICK HERE.