Vo.l 1 Issue 4 - July 2010, Things We Did

Motorcycle Awareness Ride

By Ed Frulla   Mon, Jul 05, 2010

When I am riding my head is on a swivel looking for the cager that is coming out of nowhere to take me out.  When I get to a red light, I used to feel like I could let my guard down and relax a little.  That all changed in late March. 

I am a member of Low Expectations MC based in Albany.  Low Expectations is a virtual club that uses Meetup.com as the vehicle to coordinate the clubs activities.  Late March, two Meetup.com clubs in Phoenix AZ had joined together to go on a ride.  While stopped at a red light, the group of bikes was struck from behind by a Sanitation truck being driven by a driver high on meth.  Four riders were killed and nine were hospitalized.

To honor the fallen riders of these two Phoenix Groups and to raise awareness, an effort was undertaken to conduct Motorcycle Awareness Rides across the Nation on May 23^rd.  Low Expectations MC conducted the ride for the Albany Area.

About fifty bikes and riders met at Guptals Arena and rode from Guptals Arena to the Village of Lake George using the middle lane of Interstate 87.  All riders were encouraged to wear high visibility shirts or vests.  High visibility shirts with the phrase “Can You See Me Now” were available for purchase prior to the event.  YNN News was on hand to provide media coverage.  I guess the local ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates were just too busy to show up even though they were invited. 

An event occurred during the ride and I am still trying to figure out how some drivers can be so idiotic.  There is a line of fifty bikes in a two second stagger formation with high visibility clothing, most of which states “Can You See Me Now” on the back and when we get to Exit 17, some cager in a grey Audi driving in the third lane cuts through the formation to exit the interstate.  I guess some people are just too stupid to educate.

Another Motorcycle Awareness event is in the planning stages.  This event will involve the transportation of a memorial banner from club to club until the banner has passed through all 48 states in the contiguous United Sates.  Should be a fun ride and we will keep you posted as things progress and details emerge.

Picture Gallery

By Ed Frulla

Comments(1):

1. Tuesday, July 06, 2010 Dale

   We are surrounded by idiots -- and those idiots are driving two-ton vehicles. And they are on the phone, fiddling with dials or talking to people in the back seat. It is a zoo out there. Which is why I agree with wearing the "Can You See Me Now?" shirts. It is time to give up the all-black. Too dangerous. The Defense Department requires a fixed amount of neon and reflective material before you can take a bike on any DoD property. That is a step in the right direction. Most accessory manufacturers are making DoD-approved reflective vests and jackets. My advice when you buy your next jacket is to get one that is DoD compliant. If you want to keep your favorite jackets, just buy a DoD compliant vest. (That is what I have done.) Black is cool, but neon will save your life. Each time you flash neon at a doofus driver, you will be educating that idiot to pay attention to us. Maybe he will be more aware of the next rider. That way we all benefit. WEAR NEON. Dale Ballston Spa