More women learn how to ride a motorcycle

(by Nancy Gondo)

You've seen 'em. The Hells Angels on their cruisers, the crotch-rocket jockeys splitting lanes and the everyday commuters on their standards. What do they have in common – besides their motorcycles? Chances are, they're all dudes. But why?

The number of women who own and operate motorcycles has risen through the years -- up 52% from 2003 to 2008 according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, the most recent statistics available. Yet, you rarely see a woman riding on the streets, other than being a passenger on the back of a bike. Is it a skill that's harder for women to learn? Or is it a risk they're not willing to take?

I decided to find out for myself by taking a beginner's rider course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I consider myself an unlikely candidate -- female, married with a 5-year-old daughter, working in the financial journalism industry. Turns out, the class closest to me, Westside Motorcycle Academy, is co-owned by two women: Erika Willhite and Amanda Cunningham.

More than half of WMA's rider coaches are women. When Amanda began coaching 10 years ago, she was one of the only female instructors. But times have changed. She and Erika launched WMA in October, 2005, and have trained over 16,000 novice riders since. Today, a 12-person riding classes will often be comprised of six women and six men. Of course, that may be partly because women are more likely than men to take a "safety" course. When was the last time a guy you know stopped to ask for directions?

Most states recommend all bikers take classes approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. That may set you back a couple hundred bucks. The upshot? :

You'll likely learn to be a better rider, get a break on insurance and waive the DMV written and/or driving test. I took a beginner's course in a sports arena parking lot in Inglewood, Calif., with Erika and Amanda as my coaches. My 11 classmates and I (three of us were women) selected our bikes and were soon up and running what's called the "friction zone."

Having never learned to drive a stick shift, learning to use the clutch to shift gears while worrying about braking and throttling with the right foot and hand was a bit tough. But I learned how to shift smoothly and slowly release the clutch without stalling out. We also learned safety techniques such as cornering, U-turns, swerving and stopping quickly. Midway through the second day, I felt almost comfortable on my Honda Rebel, though when skills-testing time came, I was a bit nervous. But we all pulled through. With great relief, we snapped some group pictures, and headed home with a sense of accomplishment.

Erin Roski, 21, a fellow novice I met in the class, summed it up best: "It was a wonderful experience -- I had a lot of fun, and I learned techniques that will save my skin when I'm riding on the street," the second-year UCLA law student says. Taking the course was fun, and it's good to know that if I do ride a motorcycle again, there are ways to avoid a major wipeout. And if nothing else, it's good to prove that women can ride just as well as the guys.

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source: Drive On (Gondo, 9/26)

Employing A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer That Can Help With Your Insurance Claims

If involved in an accident, you need to first of all talk with a motorcycle accident lawyer before agreeing to an arrangement coming from an insurance company. Mishaps concerning motorcycles cause massive physical, mental shock and debilitating injuries and can have an undesirable impact on the basic way of life of the immediate family members. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will inform the victim to have a written record of the health-related bills related to the automobile accident. These paperwork can increase the victim's credibility and enhance their odds of getting a reasonable solution.

Motorcycle mishaps take place not just as a result of driver's negligence but because of other factors, like a missing road signal, or due to a malfunctioning traffic light. A lot of these threats exist when the city or local government won't hold up their end of the legal bargain.

There are points that may be observed to help decrease the odds of having an accident. Safe riding comes in various forms. Many are decisions the driver can make on the road, and some are decisions he or she makes just before he sits on a bike for the first time. Having to take a training course is definitely crucial for any novice, and a plus for experienced motorcyclists. Newbies study everything from starting up a bike, to proper and safe turning and driving. Skilled riders can benefit from learning more advanced methods. Both group could even see benefits from accreditation in these courses with insurance discounts.

Novices would want to keep in mind the particular bike they will choose. Usually, a bike with a smaller sized engine is much more suited to users who are less experienced. It's crucial for you to ensure that the size of your bike is suitable to your power and weight, because a rider outmatched by their motorbike is just creating trouble for themselves. A rider should always be sure that he's wearing both a helmet, plus a tough and comfy clothing that can help limit his injuries in an automobile accident. This includes boots, pads and leather-based jackets. A good motorcycle rider should always observe traffic laws. Running traffic signs, speeding or driving in a hostile manner will only put the motorist in harm's way. Even worse, most people may see the motorcycle driver as a danger or irritation and drive offensively against him. If driving intoxicated in a car seems hazardous, the dangers are only increased by the fact that motorcycle drivers are responsible for balancing their vehicles.

If the driver has adhered to every one of the safety measures, but nevertheless became a victim of a motorbike accident, he ought to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer. Insurance providers often times like to divide the liability between the motorcyclist and the at-fault party; even though the biker may have had practically nothing to do with the root cause of the automobile accident. Working with insurance providers after a motorbike accident can be quite challenging. That's the reason it would be far better for any motorcycle crash victim to employ an experienced lawyer to raise his odds of getting a claim.

You can find more detailed information about a Texas motorcycle accident lawyer at our website. Be sure to contact a Texas motorcycle accident lawyer immediately right after your motorcycle accident.

What to do if You are in a Texas Motorcycle Accident

Contact The Cole Legal Group before speaking with any insurance company.

REMAIN AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE
Unless your injuries require otherwise, don’t leave the scene of an accident until you have called the police and they have documented the accident. It’s important to obtain the other driver(s) name, address and phone number. Write down the license plate and registration numbers of the vehicle(s) involved in the accident. Ask the other driver(s) to show you their license, give you their phone numbers, their insurance company name and policy numbers. Obtain the names, phone numbers and addresses of all eyewitnesses. Don’t say you are not injured until you have seen a medical professional.

STATEMENTS
Do not discuss the accident with anyone except the investigating police officer, and then, only the basic facts. Statements made to your Texas motorcycle accident lawyer are confidential.

TAKE NOTES AND PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT
Take notes of important details, draw a sketch, take pictures to preserve skid marks, the position of the vehicles and other physical evidence that will likely disappear after the accident.

INSURANCE REPORTS AND NOTIFICATIONS
Do not give a statement to anyone without first consulting your Texas biker lawyer. Remember, insurance companies profit by denying claims.

CLAIMS MADE AGAINST YOU
Refer all claims against you to your Texas motorcycle attorney. Do not pay or promise to pay any claimant. Immediately forward all papers to your attorney.

CLAIMS MADE BY YOU
An attorney is best equipped to advise you as to your legal rights to recover a fair and reasonable settlement. Protect your legal rights and seek competent legal advice.

WHY HIRE THE COLE LEGAL GROUP IMMEDIATELY?
Because we deal with insurance companies and injury claims everyday. We bring our experience in dealing with deadlines, forms, claims, witnesses, preserving evidence and protecting Texas motorcycle accident victims to the table in every case. Insurance companies many times don’t take these claims seriously until a lawyer is involved. We make it our business to protect Texas motorcycle accident victims.

Call us NOW! (800) 245-5539 - The Texas Biker Lawyer

Infographic: the Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle

It's a motorcyclist's right to enjoy the open road, but it is their responsibility to exercise caution. Road conditions, other drivers and personal protective gear are all important to consider when getting on a bike.

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Pugs and Hogs Don't Mix; Motorcyclist Charged for Animal Cruelty

A New Jersey man thought that he was enjoying a nice rainy ride down route 18 with his pug last week, but it turns out the man was actually subjecting his dog to cruel and unusual treatment. Gyula Szatmari, 56, was issued a few tickets by New Jersey police after riding on his motorcycle with his pug in his lap.

Sgt. Anthony Lena, of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, spotted Szatmari riding down the road with his pug sitting on the gas tank of his motorcycle, and decided to call the police.

Szatmari was pulled over and issued tickets for careless driving and the improper transportation of an animal.

Did Szatmari deserve his tickets?

It isn't illegal to carry a dog on a motorcycle, in fact, there is a whole industry dedicated to doggy riding gear. But it is frowned upon to ride with your pet unsecured on your bike, since it could jump off or distract you from paying attention to the road.

Szatmari will appear in court on October 13th to discuss his tickets. Should Szatmari be fined?

Do you ride with your pet?

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Harley-Davidson ‘Liberates’ Domesticated Animals

From Boulder-based Victors & Spoils comes the motorcycle spot that crowdsourcing can buy. Debuting alongside the season premiere of FX’s hit show Sons of Anarchy last night, the second installment in the “No Cages” campaign for Harley-Davidson depicts a rather harmless looking young man release a bunch of dogs into the wild wilderness of suburbia.

Why would he do this? Maybe he’s on drugs. Maybe he doesn’t understand that pet-store animals spread disease throughout the community until they’re eventually killed off by raccoons. Maybe the dog’s living situation reminds our friendly anti-hero of his own time spent in the slammer. Or, maybe he’s just a dick. Whatever his motivation, it all makes up for a very “cute” spot. But wait, does “cute” traditionally sell motorcycles to rebellious youth or weary men going through midlife crises? Well, when you consider almost 5 million viewers (3.22 million in the 18-49 demographic) tuned into the SOA last night, maybe you’re not selling a counter culture. Maybe you’re just selling pop culture.

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Austin biker takes anti-cancer message to fellow firefighters

Last spring Bob Damron retired from the Austin Fire Department in Texas and took his Harley-Davidson across country talking to fellow firefighters about prostate cancer.

In 2006 he was riding in a golf cart between tees when he received the phone call that would save his life. He had recently undergone a physical and assumed he would receive a clean health check. At 44 years old, he was the oldest firefighter ever to be hired in Austin and at 55 he skied and umpired minor league baseball to stay in shape.

He was more annoyed than alarmed when a health-care worker called and told him to visit his doctor because of a slight difference in his blood work.

“I complained to her about the co-pay,” he said.

Days later he was discussing his prognosis with a urologist. He had prostate cancer.

He shared his story at the Anderson Fire Department’s downtown station Sunday night. He will stop at 343 fire stations across the country on his motorcycle ride through October, giving his testimony six times some days.

“It’s a pay-it-forward system,” he said. “It’s googleable info that these guys deserve to know.”

Damron knew little about his risk for the cancer, he said, because he never knew his father. Having a family member with prostate cancer doubles a man’s chance of getting it. He advised the men to monitor their prostate specific antigen level.

Damron, who is now 60, vowed to keep his frank talk PG rated, but he slipped up a few times, garnering laughs from a few men.

He’s as comfortable talking about a prostate as he is discussing baseball or current events.

“I’m a firefighter,” he said. “I know these guys. They’re family.”

Battalion Chief Tom Dunlap said Damron’s talk is important.

“Firefighters die of heart attacks, but cancer gets a lot of them,” Dunlap said.

In the 22 years he’s been a member of a firehouse he’s known five or six men who have died of cancer.

Cholesterol and blood pressure are common health topics, said firefighter John Olive, but the prostate?

“That’s about as personal as it gets,” he said. He called the talk “eye-opening.”

“It was very humbling in a lot of ways. Being someone we can all relate to, he made the dangers of the cancer he had to fight with very real. It was not an abstract.”

Damron’s prostate was removed and all of cancer was contained there. He’s once again healthy and back to umpiring baseball and skiing.

He rides on a fire-engine red special edition Harley-Davidson designed for firefighters. Below the odometer are the 343 names of firefighters and paramedics who died on Sept. 11.

He will end his trip at the Fire Department of New York about a month after the anniversary of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“The softest pillow’s a clean conscience, and I sleep fine at night,” Damron said.

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source: www.independentmail.com (Howard, 8/29)

Hells Angels show what they thought of Hurricane Irene

New York bikers don't buy the hurricane hype: they didn't even cover their bikes.

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Great tips for avoiding distracted driving for folks who drive as part of their jobs

Distracted drivers are involved in accidents every 24 seconds, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. What’s more, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the United States.

And if a worker is killed or injured, the property loss from workplace traffic accidents cost employers billions of dollars each year.

Businesses with fleet drivers have a greater crash exposure than in other professions, as work experts estimate these types of drivers travel 20,000 to 25,000 miles or more annually.

Drivers typically face three kinds of distractions:

· Visual — taking your eyes off the road
· Manual — taking your hands off the wheel
· Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing

Reasons for distractions include everything from texting or talking on a cell phone, to eating, drinking, grooming, talking to other passengers, reading or looking at a map and even something as benign as changing the radio station.

Driving takes concentration and attention. A split-second distraction can cause devastating effects, Hamilton said, adding that employers that rely on drivers may want to look at company policies to safe driving habits are included.

He provided these tips for workers who drive:

• Always wear a seat belt
• Be aware of local regulations regarding mobile phone use, as they can be different from city to city
• Do not engage in any activity that requires you to take your eyes off the road, your mind off of driving or your hands off the steering wheel
• Do not place or receive mobile phone calls while driving – especially in bad weather, while in unfamiliar areas or in heavy traffic that demands your total attention
• Pull off the road to place or take a call
• Allow a fellow passenger to handle an incoming call, if you can’t pull over
• Let an incoming phone call go to voice mail

He added a new state law had taken affect that many motorists may not know. From now on, motorists must provide a one-lane space cushion to emergency and law enforcement officers who are stopped on the side of the road with their lights flashing.

In other words, if you are driving in the right lane, and a DPS officer has pulled someone off onto the shoulder, you need to move to the lane to the left in order to pass, leaving the right lane free.

Hamilton also said that if you are involved in a workplace car crash, the first thing to do is pull out of traffic if you can, check for injuries and call for medical help if necessary. Also, call the local law enforcement office to report the accident.

Finally, fill out accident report forms as needed for the police, your employer and the insurance company.

Careful, defensive driving and full attention to the road and other motorists will help steer you to safety, Hamilton said. He advised:

• Create a “safety cushion” to allow adequate stopping distance between your vehicle and the car in front
• Use caution approaching any intersection
• Always look when making left-hand turns – a car in front of you may be obscuring oncoming traffic
• Always use signals and be sure to signal your intentions well in advance
• Drive in the right lane when possible to lessen the chance of a head-on collision if you drive in the right lane
• Follow all the instructional road signs, such as speed limits, yield, etc.

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