Full Throttle SAFETY ASYLUM BY T.J. MILES
2011 Bikefest Safety
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s you may already know, BIKEFEST 2011 is right around the corner. I can’t wait! Safety at large motorcycling events is something we all think about, but rarely discuss. There are things to think about before and during motorcycling events which may prevent you from the sudden interruption of a great time at the 2011 Bikefest. Can I get a “Hell Yea”?
Respect If you are going to ride like an asshole please kill yourself somewhere else or stay the hell home. There are some who engage in speeding, wheelies and other dangerous riding behaviors. Show respect to others on the roadway and you are likely to avoid serious and catastrophic accidents.
Alcohol Ride hammered, get nailed. Above all, don’t drink and ride, with the amount of other vehicles large and small passing through the area, the curvy roads, and the other riders not paying attention, you are asking for a death warrant. This is no big secret and varies by event, but often alcohol usage is high, and there may be more intoxicated drivers on the road than usual. No one should get behind the wheel of a car or on a motorcycle if they have had too much to drink. This is true no matter where you ride. Driving or riding under the influence is against the law in every state. If you are in an accident the first thing you will be asked (if you are still alive) is, “Have you been drinking?” I plan to ride during the day and settle down to a nice party place within walking distance of my bed in the evening.
Riding Bigger events, such as Bikefest, include a lot of motorcyclists driving to one small, central location. Bike congestion can be a risk for motorcyclists and other drivers alike. Motorcyclists are encouraged to ride in a single file line and avoid crowding the center line or other motorists. Don’t ride two abreast or pass another motorcycle in the same lane. Lane splitting is illegal in Missouri. Don’t pass in a “No Passing” zone. If you are an inexperienced rider, park your bike because Bikefest is not the place to learn how to ride. Don’t tailgate. Allow at least one bike length for every 10 mph of speed. It gives you a little extra room in case you’re distracted for a split second. Leave the autopilot at home. When riding in groups it’s easy to narrow your focus to the tail light in front of you. Remember to broaden your vision and keep an eye on traffic conditions and other drivers/riders. Otherwise, you may follow your buddy right into the lake. All motorcyclists and motorists need to obey all posted speed limit signs, especially on curves. Deer are abundant in central Missouri and have a habit of coming out at night. Pay attention to curves. No doubt you’ll want to see every curve on the sidewalk, especially the ones in bikinis. But watch the road also. There are lots of winding roads. Brake before the curve, enter at a conservative speed and then accelerate through once you’re sure of the line. Pay attention to your riding and watch out for the other rider who isn’t.
Situational Awareness Watch for pedestrians in congested areas and as Mom always said, “Look both ways before you cross the street. Always keep an eye out for possible signs of a fight. Tempers have a tendency to flare when mixing head strong bikers with alcohol. Usually there is a girl somewhere in the mix. However, the police at Bikefest are vigilant and keep up with any public displays of affection. Always have a good wingman with you to help identify danger. An unfortunate aspect of any large event is the disappearance of motorcycles. Participants should take precautions to avoid becoming a victim. Care should be taken to park in well lit, high traffic locations as opposed to dark areas with few people. Additionally, participants should avoid leaving valuables such as cameras, leathers and souvenirs on their bikes. Those who will be attending the event should also invest in a high quality lock to secure their bike. Even higher quality locks are not fool-proof to experienced thieves but they are a definite deterrent. Lower quality locks are not considered adequate protection because they can easily be broken or cut. Pay attention to the signs that say NO PARKING and the curbs that are painted yellow. If you park by these your bike will be towed and you will be walking to the police station to get directions to the impound yard. This can cut into your fun money. The jails and emergency rooms will be full. Both can be avoided with a little common sense. These certainly are not characteristics of Bikefest, but police officers and experienced riders alike suggest exercising extra caution and awareness.
Traveling Participants who will be traveling long distances to Bikefest on their motorcycles should also be aware of safety issues while traveling. Even those experienced with long distance rides should take safety precautions to ensure a smooth trip. One precaution is to create a copy of your detailed itinerary to leave in the possession of a friend or relative who will not be traveling with you. Make sure your bags are tightly secured to the motorcycle. You don’t want straps to become a permanent part of your rear hub. Also, you don’t want to be the cause of your buddy’s accident. Travelers are also warned against traveling alone. Whenever possible, travelers should have at least one other rider accompany them on their trip. It makes me think about the end of the movie “Easy Rider”. We all know how that ended. Taking frequent stops to rest and retiring for the night before fatigue sets in is also advisable. Check the weather forecast before the ride and keep a close eye on the sky. There is no shame on waiting out the storm, as long as it is not in a bar.
Road Construction At the present time there is construction on Route 54 at Old Bass Road, Route 54 at Route E, Route 54 between the Grand Glaize Bridge to west of Route KK, Route 54 westbound lanes near Jefferies Road and just west of the Grand Glaize Bridge, Route 242/Horseshoe Bend Parkway between the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge and Route 54, Route O between Route 54 and end of state maintenance, Route N between Route 54 and end of state maintenance, Route W bridge over Mack’s Creek, I-44 in Crawford and Rolla areas and I-70 in Wentzville and Warren areas. Route your trip around or be careful when in these areas. Hey, you’re going to Bikefest! It’s crowded, it’s crazy, and it’s survivable… Have fun and be safe!!
Helmets Yeah, yeah, let the rider decide. Well decide already! In the immortal words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Follow me if you want to live.” Missouri requires motorcyclist and passengers to wear a DOT approved helmet when riding. A helmet offers the best protection against a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury. Reduce your chances of sustaining a fatal injury by wearing the appropriate gear, including helmets. Military personnel are required to wear a helmet and gear all of the time. Yes, even at Bikefest!
T.J. Miles
(618) 979-5331 TJMILES@FULLTHROTTLEMIDWEST.COM OFFICE: 314.241.FTMM WWW.FULLTHROTTLEMIDWEST.COM FULL THROTTLE MIDWEST - 2626 N. BROADWAY, SUITE C, ST.LOUIS, MO 63102
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