For Immediate Release: August
23, 2005
Contact: OSHP - Lt. Rick Zwayer or Sgt. Jon Gray (614) 752-2792
American Motorcyclist Association - Tom Lindsay (614) 856-1900 ext. 1357
Wearing proper equipment is part of safe
motorcycling
COLUMBUS – Many
motorcyclists enjoy sharing the positive experiences of riding with passengers.
Whether it’s a short ride with someone who has never been on a motorcycle
before, or venturing out for a long ride through rural countryside, you
should adjust your planning, preparation, and riding style to ensure the
safety
of yourself and your passenger.
To help make it a safe and enjoyable motorcycle riding season, the Ohio
State Highway Patrol is providing an 11-part series of motorcycle safety
tips from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) as part of our Ride
Smart. Drive Smart. partnership. Part eight of our series provides basic
information on riding with a passenger:
-
Proper gear. You’re responsible for your passenger’s
safety. Your passenger should be wearing protective gear that fits,
as should
you.
-
Advice on what not to touch. Make sure a new passenger knows how and
when it is safe to get on and off the motorcycle, and which parts,
such as hot exhaust pipes, to avoid.
-
An idea of what to expect. Before your ride, talk with your passenger
about what he or she can expect, like the lean associated with turning
corners. Encourage your first-time passenger to stay relaxed and look
over your inside shoulder in the turns.
-
Take it easy. This is no time to demonstrate your motorcycle’s
capabilities at redline. For a first-time rider, even a slow ride will
feel exciting—and possibly a little intimidating. Go easy.
-
An attentive debriefing. A first motorcycling experience often draws
a strong reaction. You will know quickly if your passenger is enthusiastic
or uninterested. Asking questions gives you an opportunity to clear
up misconceptions, and leave him or her with a good image of motorcycling.
-
A properly set up bike. Adjusting tire pressures and
suspension preload to accommodate the added weight of a passenger will
not only make the
bike handle better, it will also make the ride smoother—and safer—for
both of you.
-
A recalibrated performance meter. Taking on a passenger
adds weight to your bike and additional responsibility. If something
goes wrong,
you’ll
need more distance to stop or more time to swerve. Enlarge your
safety cushion.
# # #
Note to editors: Based on the American Motorcyclist magazine
article, “Ride
Smarter, Safer, Longer, Better: 43 tips for the best riding season yet,” April,
2005. For more information about the American Motorcyclist Association,
visit www.AMADirectlink.com or
call 1-800-AMA-JOIN. For more information on Ride Smart. Drive Smart. visit, http://statepatrol.ohio.gov/motorcycle.htm.
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