Safety & Education
Rider education, rider safety and motorcycle awareness.

Nine-tenths of wisdom is being wise in time.

                                       Theodore Roosevelt


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Go to: Education/Awareness ISSUES, Education/Awareness NEWS/DATA, Education/Awareness Links

BikePAC of Idaho believes that education is a responsibility that every motorcyclist must accept. We also believe that education not only means informing the general public and legislators about our issues and concerns it also means educating ourselves about issues that affect us and our safety as motorcyclists. In our view we must do both!

It is important for us to understand circumstances and factors that affect our safety and how we as motorcyclists can, in a positive way, influence both. In many cases a more aware, attentive or more observant automobile driver reduces the risk of a automobile/motorcycle accident. A motorist who understands motorcyclists and why riders act and react the way they do while riding is a safer driver.

Accidents involving right of way (ROW) or negligent automobile driver violations are of great concern to us as should the number of alcohol impaired motorcycle rider accidents. Many motorcycle accidents could also be prevented by more aware and better educated motorcycle riders. It is important that we as motorcyclists arm ourselves with information to assist us in making better choices as well.

Rider Education and Motorcycle Awareness are two areas where motorcyclists can have a direct and positive impact on motorcycle safety. It is for that reason BikePAC of Idaho supports rider education and motorcycle awareness.


 

BPI Motorcycle Awareness Program

A Motorcycle Awareness Program (MAP) is intended to educate and inform automobile drivers, not just beginning drivers, but all drivers, about motorcycles. It is our hope that by making drivers more aware of motorcycles and motorcyclists we can make the roads safer for both rider and driver alike. That by working together we can learn to more safely share the road.

In addition to the motorcycle awareness classes BikePAC of Idaho’s Motorcycle Awareness Program also includes:

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Seeking and obtaining Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Proclamations from city, county a state governments and agencies.

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Providing safety and awareness related information to motorists and motorcyclists at information booths at community events, motorcycle rallies, fairs, etc.

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Conducting annual motorcycle awareness events across the state during the month of May.

 

 

 

BPI Motorcycle Awareness Program brochure in PDF

 

BPI Sets Date for Awareness Day Event: May 16th, 2010                                     

BikePAC of Idaho (BPI) has chosen to accept the responsibility of carrying on the tradition for another year! Supported by freedom fighters in neighboring states, having learned the importance of motorcycle awareness from them first hand this event was first held in Idaho by Idaho's concerned motorcyclists and freedom fighters around twenty years ago. Long before publicity stunts and parades were sometimes considered "motorcycle awareness" Idaho's freedom fighters chose this event to meet the motoring public face to face, one on one. To look them in the eye, with a smile and over a firm hand shake ask them to "please watch for motorcycles", personally thank them for doing so and, as a symbolic gesture of appreciation, offer to wash their windshield for FREE.

In honor of those who, for decades, fought for the freedoms and liberties you currently enjoy as motorcyclists in Idaho and across the nation BPI invites you to become part of the tradition!

click flier image at right for larger, printable PDF version

Education/Awareness ISSUES

AMA concerned about new threat to motorcycle safety funds

The Emerging Risk of Fatal Motorcycle Crashes with Guardrails

The objective of this study is to examine the issue of fatal motorcycle collisions with guardrail based on U.S. accident statistics. Motorcycle crashes were found to be the leading source of fatalities in guardrail crashes. In 2005 for the first time, motorcycle riders suffered more fatalities (224) than the passengers of cars (171) or any other single vehicle type involved in a guardrail collision. In terms of fatalities per registered vehicle, motorcycle riders are dramatically overrepresented in number of fatalities resulting from guardrail impacts. Motorcycles compose only 2% of the vehicle fleet, but account for 42% of all fatalities resulting from guardrail collisions. Motorcycle guardrail crash fatalities are a growing problem. From 2000-2005, the number of car occupants who were fatally injured in guardrail collisions declined by 31% from 251 to 171 deaths. In contrast, the number of motorcyclists fatally-injured in guardrail crashes increased by 73% from 129 to 224 fatalities during the same time period. Over two-thirds of motorcycle riders who were fatally injured in a guardrail crash were wearing a helmet. Approximately, one in ten motorcyclists striking a guardrail were fatally injured – a fatality risk over 80 times higher than for car occupants involved in a collision with a guardrail.

This full report was conducted by:

Hampton C. Gabler

Associate Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Virginia Tech Center for Injury Biomechanics


If you have something that you feel may be of interest to our members and visitors or have something to say regarding Education/Awareness related issues, e-mail it to us.

Education/Awareness NEWS/DATA

NHTSA Review of State Motorcycle Safety Program Technical Assessments

The Blake Webb Motorcycle Safety Awareness Foundation

Motorcycle Accident Data From NHTSA and IDT: Annual release of motorcycle related accident data from NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis and from the Idaho Transportation Department's Office of Highway Safety.

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ITD's Office of Highway Safety 2008 data.pdf - Motorcycle data on page 3

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NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2008.pdf - national stats.

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NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2007.pdf - National statistics.

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ITD's Office of Highway Safety 2007 Data.pdf - Motorcycle data is on page 3 of this document.

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NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2006.pdf - National statistics.

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ITD's Office of Highway Safety 2006 Data.pdf - Motorcycle data is on page 3 of this document.

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ITD's Office of Highway Safety 2005 Data.pdf

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ITD's Office of Highway Safety 2004 Data.pdf

 

There are links to other Education & Awareness information below and on the Documents page.

The Press Friday, March 23, 2007

 BikePAC rolls motorcycle awareness into PFHS

 Group promotes safety with rider education, public awareness

By Maureen Dolan

Staff writer

 Post Falls- Mike Martin learned there is more to motorcycle safety than he thought in his driver’s education class at Post Falls High School on Thursday.

    The sophomore was on of about 30 students who attended a motorcycle awareness driver’s education class presented by Willie Stephenson and Tim Herzog of BikePAC of Idaho, a nonprofit organization created to champion issues concerning motorcyclists and promote motorcycles safety through rider education and public awareness.

     “I learned a lot about things I never thought about before, like how you have more obstacles to look out for and how much easier it is to lose control when you’re on a motorcycle,” he said.

     Both Stephenson and Herzog spoke to the class about issues affecting both motorcycle riders and automobile drivers.  Photos were shown highlighting the size difference between a car and a motorcycle.

     The pictures showed a damaged vehicle that had been hit by a motorcycle with the front and rear ends of the vehicle nearly intact and the remains of the damaged motorcycle strewn across the center of the vehicle.  According to Herzog, the crash happened a few years ago and resulted in fatalities.

     Students learned about right of way and how it affects motorcyclists.

     They also learned why motorcycle riders wear leather for safety.

     “Has anyone ever had road rash?” Stephenson asked the class and several students raised their hands.

     Stephenson explained that “road rash” is an injury that occurs when a person’s body hits the road and gravel and dirt are driven under the skin.  “That’s why people on motorcycles wear leather jackets,” Stephenson said.  “It’s not to be tough.  It’s not to look mean.  It’s to protect them from road rash.”

     Stephenson said that anyone riding a motorcycle should always wear long pants, gloves and shoes, preferably boots that ride over the ankle and never sandals or flip-flops.  He stressed the importance of wearing a helmet.

     “There are riders who get all leathered up and have a tendency to feel invincible,” Stephenson said.

     “Protective equipment is a tool to use, not an excuse to ride recklessly.”

     Herzog has been riding a motorcycle since 1969 and has crashed a few times, learning the value of the “two-second rule” the hard way.  The two-second rule is a safety guideline suggesting the minimum distance traveled in two seconds.

     Both Herzog and Stephenson have been involved in motorcycle awareness and safety since the late 1980’s and are looking forward coordinating more classes in area high schools.

     The BikePAC organization was formed last year and is in need of members willing to help promote the group’s message in the schools.

     Information: www.bikepacofidaho.org or 777-1915.

 

PDF version of this CDA Press article

 

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BikePAC of Idaho begins Awareness Classes in Post Falls High School. Beginning in March 2007 BikePAC of Idaho will present it's Motorcycle Awareness Classes to Post Falls High School students taking drivers education. These classes, usually lasting about an hour, impress upon students that both drivers and riders benefit by working together and Sharing the Road safely. If you are interested in learning more about these classes or would like to attend or participate please contact any BikePAC of Idaho Board Member.

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BikePAC of Idaho Endorses AMA's (American Motorcyclists Associations) Justice For All Campaign.

Education/Awareness LINKS

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NHTSA - Share the Road With Motorcycles

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NHTSA - Motorcycle Awareness Fact Sheet

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Harry Hurt Speaks Out.pdf

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Hurt Report Summery.pdf

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NHTSA Motorcycle Safety Program

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Do You Need a Motorcycle Endorsment?

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NHTSA/AMA Ride Straight Campaign

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AMA Justice for All Awareness Campaign

 
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Idaho Motorcycle Manual

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How To Get An Idaho Motorcycle License

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Idaho STAR Rider training program

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Idaho Motorcycle Skills Testers

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Motorcycle Skills Test Practice Guide

 
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Spokane MotorSchool - Novice, Intermediate, Trike & Sidecar Training (509) 326-6181

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Evergreen Safety Council - sidecar/trike education program (S/TEP)

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OHV Training

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ATV Safety Institute

There are links to other Education & Awareness information on the Documents page.

 

 

If you have questions regarding this web site please e-mail them to webmaster@bikepacofidaho.org