Harley-Davidson "Share The Road" License Plate Launched Today in Wisconsin

From its world headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin today, Harley-Davidson Motor Company in partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation launched the first-ever Harley-Davidson branded "Share The Road" automotive license plate. The plate is available for automobiles, light trucks and motor homes in Wisconsin. 

"Rider safety is critically important to all of us at Harley-Davidson," said Matt Levatich, Chief Operating Officer and President of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. "We are pleased to partner with the State and help increase awareness and support for motorcycle safety programs that further enhance rider safety and driver awareness in Wisconsin."

The new license plate is the first and only Harley-Davidson branded plate available anywhere in the United States, and it is only being offered in Wisconsin – the birthplace of Harley-Davidson. The plate was designed in collaboration with the Harley-Davidson Motor Company Styling Team. The words "Share the Road" are displayed to emphasize the importance of motorcycle safety.

Motorists who wish to display the "Share The Road" specialty plates will pay an additional $15 issuance fee and an annual $25 donation. The annual donation will help support safety initiatives throughout the state. The plates can also be personalized (standard annual fees apply) and can be purchased at any time, not just when a motorist renews their registration (actual costs will vary based on time of purchase).


For more information about the Harley-Davidson/Share the Road license plates, visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website at http://www.wisconsindmv.gov/.


SOURCE Harley-Davidson, Inc.

Kimmy Chapman Memorial Sunday at WestWorld

Arizona Bike Week will pay tribute to one of its greatest supporters, Kimmy Chapman at 1pm Sunday, April 3rd at WestWorld. Kimmy died at the scene of a motorcycle crash around 5pm Saturday, March 26th after spending her final day in life helping at a community fundraiser. Her life companion, Mark Tapp is at John C. Lincoln Hospital recovering from serious injuries.
Kimmy helped to establish the rally and was the founding editor of Biker Information Guide -- a business she started in 1997 in Arizona that has expanded to 10 other states. She received the Arizona Bike Week "Hero" Award in 2009 for her years of dedication to the rally.
"We want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers," said Dave Shafer, media director for Biker Information Guide in a statement issued on the company website. "Kimmy had such a wonderful personality and everyone who knew her, loved her. She was someone that would bend over backward to help whenever she could. She was so full of life and it is so sad that we lost her. Her passion was Biker Information Guide and for that reason alone Kelly, Jim and I will continue to do what Kimmy loved doing. I’ve worked with Kimmy for over 12 years and there was never a better friend. I will truly miss her."
Hundreds of rally fans, friends and family are expected to celebrate her life during the memorial service on Sunday. "Due to the amount of people expected to show up, we decided to use the Big Tent at Bike Week for the Celebration of Life event," Shafer said in an update on Tuesday. “Unfortunately due to contractual agreements, a $10 gate charge will apply to get into WestWorld. Please keep in mind that if you bought a week event pass or if you participated in the Logan's Run, then you have already paid the $10 gate charge.”

Barb Heller of the ArmedZilla Angels American Legion posted this updated regarding an ongoing police investigation: I spoke with the Lead Detective Pitts on Kimmy's case, a bike rider himself, who is working on her case and keeping in close touch with Kelly and other family members. He feels he owes Kimmy's family a full and thorough investigation. He called in the state expert on impairment to investigate any signs of impairment of the driver and to provide them with the 'probable cause' needed to issue an order to draw blood. They found none. This state investigator is the same one working on the dump truck case from a year ago, which is still ongoing. He wants everyone to know that this is far from over and the only thing they haven't shown is 'criminal intent'. The police department can ONLY charge the driver with a 'Violation', such as in this case 'Failure To Yield'. Any other charges will come AFTER the investigation is through. Detective Pitts said that once everything is turned over to him to review, then it goes to the 'review unit' and then it is turned over to their Supervisor for Final Review and then passed on to the County Attorney's office. That is where the final charges will be filed if any. We need to stay on top of the County Attorney's office. Detective Pitts also said that he would be willing to come to any organizations meeting to explain the process and answer questions that he can at that time. Please contact Barb Heller at 602-505-8760 or ltlwtduv@cox.net to set this up.

The crash one year ago in Phoenix - on March 25, 2010 - was so horrific that the president of the American Motorcyclist Association made a public statement of condolence to the families of the nine bike riders that were injured or killed when they were struck from behind by a dump truck while they waited for a light to change at an intersection in Phoenix. Read the story.

"TrAuMa MaMa" & The Chicago Rescue Riders

Chicago, Illinois - Teresa McClelland (pictured in action with the volunteer "Rescue Riders") describes herself as "a down to earth, do anything for a friend type of person." Her friendships are unconditional. "I do not judge. Im an ER/ Trauma Nurse that scored a monday thru friday gig and ride my 'MO' when ever I can."

She proudly displays the Rescue Riders patch - and she has a new Trama Nurse tat.

She is one of the unsung heros in life that rushes to the scene of motorcycle accidents to give aid and comfort to her fellow riders. She is also the national director of training and curriculum for the Chicago-based Rescue Riders.

"We recruit, train and educate motorcyclists to be prepared to handle emergency situations.

"Our core curriculum is Accident Scene Management. Many members are licesed EMT's paramedics and nurses. Our mission support is volunteer medical support at events and runs to ensure safety and secure any emergency until EMS arrive."

"We are a National 501c3 - Classes for training can be found at http://www.accidentscene.org/."

The Accident Scene Management Course - is a Crash course for motorcyclists that teaches them what to do at the scene of an advanced motorcycle accident - Become a leader at the scene, and assist EMS with advanced skills.

A Professional Series Course ~ Presents to EMS and police the psycosocial aspect of motorcyclists and provides hands-on skills to care for motorcycle trauma.

An Instructor Course ~ Trains leaders to educate non medical personel as well as professionals by way of the ASMi curriculum. Ensuring a proper core curriculum for the Rescue Rider Program & Promoting motorcycle safety.

Founded in 2005 by Dean "Bull" Akey in Saint Charles, IL, the non-profit organization now has more than 2,000 volunteers helping motorcyclists in 26 states!

To learn more, visit: Rescue Riders.org 
 

South Wales Naked Bikers Make A Statement

What do we have to do to get noticed? That is the Question. And a group of bikers in South Wales came up with an unusual answer in a Motorcycle Safety video they are promoting on YouTube: How about bikers riding NUDE? That's right!

Arizona Bike Week 2010 Marked by Tragedy

Arizona Bike Week 2010 was tragically marked by a pre-rally accident on March 25th that has claimed the lives of 4 motorcyclists, while two others remain hospitalized in serious condition.

"PLEASE everyone watch out for motorcycles...It's that time of year when there are a lot of us out there!!!" advised Mark of the Hideaway Grill in nearby Cave Creek, where "Phoenix Bike Night" kicks off the rally on Friday, April 9th.

A group of 10 motorcycles were stopped at a red light at 27th & Carefree in Phoenix, AZ when they were stuck from behind by a semi-dump truck. Most of the bikers were members of the Phoenix Motorcycle Riders Group on a day ride with the Phoenix Motorcycle Kruzers.

"Pegs Down" - Some riders have vowed to ride their motorcycles with the passenger pegs down in memorial to the fallen riders, while others have vowed to tie a black bandana on the left handlebar of their bike to signify the loss of fellow-riders.

Many motorcycle riders have adopted the phrase, "Look Twice, Save A Life."

The YouTube video "You Didn't See Me" has been viewed 392,335 in the past three years and is something everyone should see and share.

Motorcycle fatalities drop

The MCIA have commented on the reduction of motorcycle fatalities in the DfT Transport Statistics Bulletin: Road Casualties in Great Britain - Main Results 2008.

They say:-

"493 motorcyclists were killed in 2008, the lowest number since 1996 (when 440 riders were killed) and just 26 more than the 1994-98 average of 467, the official Government baseline for road safety targets. Over the same period motorcycle use has increased over 44 per cent. These results show that mile-for-mile, motorcycling is becoming safer. "

"The reduction of 16 per cent in the number of motorcycle fatalities is a greater reduction than for road users as a whole, where fatalities for all road users have fallen just 14 per cent. The number of riders killed or seriously injured is down 10 percent on 2007, and the total number of motorcycle casualties is 8 per cent lower than in 2007."

So some positive biking news at last, though obviously 493 deaths is still 493 to many, but a 16% reduction should be applauded for all concerned who work tirelessly on improving motorcycle safety.

Ride safe.


Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

New motorcycle safety cartoons

Well at last a positive move to improve motorcycle safety using humour as the medium. In a new Europe wide road safety campaign developed by the Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motorcycles (ACEM) 13 cartoons will be released on a monthly basis to highlight and educate about the everyday risks riders of powered two wheelers (PTWs) face.

The aim of the campaign is to raise riders awareness of the various risks posed by road layouts and traffic sitautions.

Lucky 13 is a motorcyclist and is the main star of the cartoons. Like many others he is on the road every day. He’s also a lucky guy. He doesn’t know that the roadway isn’t always a safe place to ride his motorcycle, yet some how he pulls through every time. Don’t be like him, don’t count on your luck like he does. And learn from his mistakes.

The first cartoon is entitled "How to Avoid Accidents at Junctions" - see cartoon below.


You can download the cartoon for yourself from http://www.acem.eu/cartoon.

Well done the the ACEM, hopefully these cartoons will leading to greater awareness of the risks involved in riding a motorcycle, scooter or moped!

Ride safe.


Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://inter-bike.blogspot.com/
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/