Ask and ye shall receive….here’s to Swag’s Rant

One of my blogging brethren over at Swag’s Rant (http://bikerswag.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/is-motorcycle-safety-important-to-you/) asked the question, “IS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY IMPORTANT TO YOU?”
If you ride a motorcycle, safety is an issue! It may not be something you want to think about, it may not be something you like to equip yourself for. And yet, it is a subject that touches your life, every time you straddle that bike. This is how I answered that question… I will do a blog!..she said, looking to the horizon like Scarlet O’Hara.   And so, this one is for you, Swag. Thanx for making us think about “safety”.
First, lets talk about some of the agencies that keep track of, study, and change things having to do with our safety on a motorcycle.
1) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles
Located in Washington, DC, the NHTSA’s motorcycle safety program focuses on three areas: preventing crashes, preventing crash-related injuries, and limiting the seriousness of these injuries through appropriate emergency medical responseNHTSA’s motorcycle safety program focuses on three areas: preventing crashes, preventing crash-related injuries, and limiting the seriousness of these injuries through appropriate emergency medical response.
2)National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA) http://www.smsa.org/
Located in Centennial, Colorado, the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of state motorcycle safety administrators and programs by advocating motorcycle safety and fostering and promoting the exchange of ideas and resources.
3)Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) http://www.msf-usa.org/
Located in Irvine, California, find all the information you need and want. Pick your state and find information pertaining to your state and your area.
Next, lets talk a pioneer in motorcycle safety.  I did a post a while back on the death of Harry Hurt,  Read the entire story of his life at (http://mtaes.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/saying-goodbye-to-harry-hurt-1927-2009/ ).
If you want to talk safety, Mr. Hurt wrote what was to be called ““the most comprehensive motorcycle safety study of the 20th century.” In 2006, Hurt made the statement that the current problem is “older riders, bigger bikes and alcohol.” Not much has changed in the last four years! No matter how much time we spend on statistics and safer equipment, we can’t change the way people ride. Only they can do that…. sometimes it takes a tragedy to make someone want to. 
In the quest to keep us safer, we have seen the introduction of impact armor such as Ab-Wing http://impactarmor.com/  and ladies protective gear made in just the right shape to accommodate http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbike/thorax-pro.html.We have even watched our beloved “blue jeans” turned
into Kevlar protectors  such as   
Sartsohttp://www.sartso.com/index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=75&Itemid=118  and Joe Rocket http://joerocket.com/ . We have seen such discoveries as the Eject helmet removal system from Shock Doctor. With this device, emergency personnel can remove the helmet from an injured rider and reduce the chance for a secondary spinal cord injury. Get the particulars at http://www.shockdoctor.com/product/eject-automotorcycle-emergency-helmet-removal-kit.aspx .
Take the time to think before you ride. Give a little thought to the things you’ve learned from others, as well as the things you’ve learned the hard way. If for no other reason, click on to the safety websites to educate yourself on the statistics available there. Who knows, it may just be a great topic of conversation to have with that guy or girl sitting at the event you are at. That could be your future spouse… and you can look so smart!!
Read Swag’s Rant… well worth the read!

Lady Godiva on wheels…. playin safe during Motorcycle Safety Month, and everyday.