The Bull Pen, May 2010

Welcome back to the Bull Pen. It's great to see so many of you out enjoying some quality two wheel time. Last year's riding season was brutal to our biker brothers & sisters. We have seen annual increases accidents and fatalities for as long as the pointy heads in Washington have been keeping track. Don't take my word for it, see what Mary has to say.

Motorcycle accidents and fatalities are a major concern. "Our nation's greatest traffic highway safety challenge is motorcycle fatalities," says past U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, noting that biking deaths are rising while other vehicle fatalities are declining"

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2007, 5,154 people died in motorcycle crashes, the highest level since NHTSA began collecting data in 1975. The 2007 figure represents a 6.6 percent from 4,837 the previous year.

Motorcycle crash fatalities have increased every year for the past 12 years. Motorcyclists were 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled in 2007 and eight times more likely to be injured, according to NHTSA.

So what can my 7.1 million biker brothers and sisters do to help address this epidemic? As bikers we need to be seen, heard and practice our skills. If you have not done so yet, consider checking out some of the great rider education classes available. You are never too old... or experienced... to learn. I also hope you join me in supporting legislation like the negligent vehicular homicide bill that would allow us to effectively prosecute those who do us harm. Are you still with me? then please consider joining a Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO). MRO's are our voice in Washington and your individual states.

In addition to rider education & supporting MRO's, we created the Rescue Rider program to provide a "hands on" approach to help directly address these sobering statistics. My dad (Armond) always used to say, "Boy, either you are part of the problem or part of the solution". I couldn't agree more dad. Rescue Rider volunteers have logged thousands of miles supporting motorcycle events with a program they call "Ride for a Reason" program. If you see Rescue Riders supporting your run or event, take a moment to thank them for their commitment to all of us.

Rescue Riders provide emergency medical assistance to accident victims during "The Golden Hour". In the world of emergency care, the "Golden Hour" is defined as the time period of one hour in which the lives of a majority of critically injured trauma patients may be saved if definitive trauma care intervention is provided. This principle of rapid intervention can also be applied to non-trauma patients such as those having a heart attack or a stroke, in which time to treatment dramatically affects a patient's outcome. Many of you have had the opportunity to improve your life saving skills by attending Accident Scene Management classes. The graduates of ASMI's Basic & Advanced courses have saved countless lives of fellow bikers with the skills they learned in class. Over 25% of course graduates report providing emergency medical assistance within the first three years of training.

As motorcyclists we are typically the first to encounter motorcycle accidents. What we do immediately after an accident until professional emergency response personnel arrive can and does save lives. If you would like to develop your skills to provide emergency medical assistance to the victims of accidents I invite you to visit the Rescue Riders www.rescueriders.org and ask yourself if you are ready to "Ride for a Reason".

Well, that's it for this month. When I am not sharing my wisdom with you via my editorials or volunteering for the Rescue Rider program, I run an insurance agency West of Chicago. For the past two years I have been working with the Allstate "pointy heads" to reinvent motorcycle insurance. As a lifelong biker myself, I wanted to create a policy that not only protects your possessions and liability but also you. Our new policy is the first ever to pay you should you have an accident which keeps you from working for as long as you are disabled. That's right, protection for the rider... It's a first so if you want the best policy in the industry there really is only one choice... Allstate.. I enjoy working with fellow bikers helping you protect what matters most. If I can help you please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or give me a call at 877-232-9899. I would love to hear from you. Until next month, enjoy the ride.