New announcement: RideANG website input?

jtkai007 · New announcement: RideANG website input?

From: Green Knights Motorcycle Club Forum (webmaster@greenknights5.com)
Sent: Tue 12/23/08 9:30 AM
To: jtkai@hotmail.com

I recently received the e-mail below, & thought I would throw it out to the masses. Please e-mail inputs to Austin @ motofreaky@yahoo.com
--edp

---------- Forwarded message ----------
On Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 2:27 AM, Austin wrote:

I've been given the opportunity to provide input to update the Air National Guard website.

An outside company is contracted for the update/major revision. I was asked what I'd like to see and supposedly, all things will be considered.

If you don't already know, motorcycle fatalities is a real problem in the military. Some elements of the DoD have experimented with sending riders to advanced training like Lee Parks Total Control and Keith Codes schools but there's no definitive data as to whether this actually prevented crashes.

Many of the military decision makers are stuck on using an orange reflective vest (or some variation thereof) as a panacea to the problem. Some bases also unduly hassle riders (making us show our MSF card every time we enter the base, walking around our bike for a visual inspection while other vehicles are waved through, etc.). Many riders simply stop riding on base.

Some folks have recommended that "bad" incidents should result in loss of driving privileges but the military cannot revoke the civilian license and taking away base driving "privileges" just furthers the divide between the folks who need the most guidance (18-24 yo) and the folks who make policy.

So, what do you think the Ride ANG website should be about? And what info should be on there? Suggestions to get fewer GI's from killing themselves on these "two wheeled death machines" (not my words)?

I'm hoping to provide info (via the website). I'm not gonna inject my vision as I'd rather hear your input as professional motorcycle educators. Private emails are welcome as are posts to the list.

My inputs are due by 5 Jan.

Ride often and minimize your risks.

Austin in Savannah, GA
==================== My reply ==========================
From: Erik Peterson
Date: Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 6:05 AM

Just a reminder Austin, the problem isn't really the motorcycles.

Things like suicides & divorces are also spiking across the military- the "motorcycle problem" is an indicator of other issues, not the core problem IMHO. If I were you, I would concentrate the theme of the website towards good decision making, cross your fingers, and hope at least one guy "gets it". I've read the fatality reports- they tend to indicate sheer stupidity, like "no PPE, wheelying between traffic on the interstate" and "struck car at 120mph". The bike is just the tool they use....

I'm going to forward your message to a more targeted audience, hope you don't mind.

Erik Peterson
'05 R1150RT
Aviano, Italy
MotoErik@gmail.com