March 2010

Please contact webmaster@roadguardians.org with comments.

In this issue:

1. A word from the Director: What is “Motorcycle Safety”?: by Vicki Sanfelipo

2. Website features: Events, BBC, and Emergency Card: by Andrea Lyman

3. Safety Corner: T-CLOCS: by Chris Hawver

4. Use It or Lose It: by Trauma Mama

5. Biker-Owned Business of the Month: Bala's Harley-Davidson

6. Wacky Pic of the Month

In the next issue:
1. A word from the Director: Vicki Sanfelipo
2. Featured Article: ALL OVER THE MAP: by John Garley
3. What’s new at ASMI?
4. Technical Tip
5. Member Spotlight
6. Partner News

A word from the Director
What is “Motorcycle Safety”?
by Vicki Sanfelipo

What is “Motorcycle Safety”? When I ask people this question I get a variety of responses. Many people tell me about Rider Education. Others will tell me about what a person should wear to be safe. Rarely but occasionally they will tell me that people should be more aware of motorcycles. Often they seem a bit confused. What IS motorcycle safety? ASMI volunteer researchers embarked on a task last year. They were asked to search the internet looking for 6 educational motorcycle safety topics that were derived from the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (NAMS). It is the opinion of Road Guardians that “motorcycle safety” is made up of all 6 topics and that every state motorcycle safety program should be addressing all 6. A quick description is:

Rider Education – Every state has a rider education program that not only teaches new motorcyclists how to ride but many programs also teach enhanced skills.

Apparel – Typically Rider Education will also include education about protective apparel that can reduce injuries in the event the person goes down.

Impaired Riding – Programs and education re: the effects of riding impaired and ways to recognize and reduce impaired riding.

Motorist Awareness – Programs and efforts aimed at drivers to encourage them to look for motorcyclists. Many programs are surfacing that deal with this issue from bumper sticker programs to enhanced penalties for drivers who violate right of way to encouraging motorcyclists to be more visible.

First Response – Efforts to not only train motorcyclists how to properly respond but also to place trained riders in places where they can be of most assistance. Training also includes educating EMS in proper response.

Laws/Govt – Educating the motorcyclists and general public re: current laws such as right of way issues, laws re: apparel and MC standards, Govt studies re: MC safety and funds appropriated for motorcycle safety (and what is available to motorcyclists).

Motorcycle safety is a topic all of us should take a look at and ask ourselves – what is our state offering in each of these categories? If you want to see what we found through our research – go to www.roadguardians.org/safety.php. Click on your state. You can help us! If you don’t see an initiative in your state, simply“Recommend a Safety Resource”! We will post your resource within 24 hours. If there is nothing listed under one of the 6 categories it could also be an area for opportunity in your state.

Want to get more information on these topics by national experts? Don’t miss the Biker’s Betterment Conference (BBC) in Chicago March 27th! Go to www.roadguardians.org/events.php for more information and to sign up.
Questions? Write to info@roadguardians.org

All the best,
Vicki Sanfelipo
Executive Director of Accident Scene Management, Inc
a 501c3 Non-Profit organization

Website Features
Events
by Andrea Lyman

Because this is the last newsletter before the Biker's Betterment Conference, I want to make sure that you all know how to use the Events are of the Road Guardians website. If you are wondering what is going on, anywhere in the United States, it is easy to find out!

1. Visit www.roadguardians.org
2. Select Events from the top menu
3. Click on a state
4. Voila! How easy was that??

If we missed an event, please fill out the form by clicking the blue link for Recommend an Event. We will get it added for you!

You can also register for the Conference from that page. If you would like to learn more, download a PDF flier by clicking here.

Thank you for helping to make this resource the best that it can be!

Biker's Betterment Conference!

 

New! Emergency Contact Card, developed with KMC HOG.

This should be in your wallet as part of your riding season prep!
Available for download in our Safety Resources:
1. Click on Safety Resources
2. In the Search box on the upper right, type in "Emergency Card".
3. Download the .doc file and follow the on-screen instructions.

Safety Corner
T-CLOCS
by Chris Hawver, Safety Officer
Road Guardians Co-Founder

T-CLOCS

Getting Read for the 1st Ride of the Season ?

The weather is getting nice and you are contemplating that first ride of the season. Before you jump on the bike, take 3 minutes and conduct a pre-ride safety review of your bike using a concept named T-CLOCS.

Pre-ride Inspections
Pre-ride inspections not only help ensure a trouble free ride they can provide confidence that your motorcycle will respond properly. The primary source for the information about how a motorcycle should be inspected/ maintained is your Motorcycle Owner’s Manual (MOM). A motorcycle will continue to ride like new if it is properly maintained and routine inspections become part of its maintenance cycle.

So make a pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle as routine and automatic as checking the weather forecast before heading out for the day. It is quick and easy to look over your bike and the convenient reminder is T-CLOCS!

What is T-CLOCS?
T-CLOCS stands for Tires & Wheels, Controls, Lights & Electrics, Oil & Other Fluids, Chassis and Sidestand.

T = Tires and Wheels
Since this is where you and the road meet, tires are probably the most important part to look over. A problem here can affect handling - sometimes severely.

Check the AIR PRESSURE of the tires and the TREAD for wear or cracks. Confirm that you have plenty of tread left.

You should have more than 1/16 of an inch, about the distance between Lincoln's head and the top of a penny. Remove foreign objects that may have lodged in the treads and make sure there are not any cuts in the tire. A scuff is nothing to worry about, but if it is a deep scratch, you may want to have it checked.

While down there, look at the rims for CRACKS, DENTS or LOOSE SPOKES. Check the BEARINGS to see if the seals are in place and are not leaking. Look at the BRAKE pads to make sure they are seated properly and there is sufficient pad left.

C = Controls and Cables
Check out your LEVERS they should operate smoothly (do not bind). Check the CABLES to make sure they are connected properly and not frayed. Move the THROTTLE/ CLUTCH, do they function properly - snapping back when you let go?

Check all your SWITCHES for proper function. Inspect the HOSES (oil, brake & fuel) for leaks.

L = Lights and Electrical
Seeing and being seen are two great ways to avoid unwanted incidents on the road, making sure your lights work is important.

Are the headlights’ high and low beams working? Does the taillight come on? Does the brake light come on when you are depressing the brake pedal and lever? Check left and right turn signals, front and back. Lastly, do not forget to check your horn and mirrors.

O = Oil, Fuel and Other Fluids
Running out of gas is a bummer, but since some motorcycles do not have gas gauges, it is a very real possibility.

Check the gas level in the tank and be sure your fuel petcock is not on "reserve" which could leave you with a nasty surprise if you roll to a stop thinking you have still got gas in reserve. Also do not forget to reset the trip meter every time you fill-up!

Running out of gas might be inconvenient, but running out of oil will ruin your bike so check this every time you ride. Even new bikes can use enough oil to be down a quart between oil changes, so check it before every ride!

LEVELS: Be sure to check ALL fluid levels.

LEAKS: Inspect for leaks by quickly looking over your bike and on the garage floor for any surprises.

C = Chassis
Though an improperly adjusted suspension may not seem critical, imagine your surprise as your bike behaves differently in the middle of a curve because you forgot to reset it after picking up your friend last night. Sit on the bike and rock it, making sure that everything moves smoothly and relatively slowly. If the front or rear end behaves like a pogo stick, a trip to your trusty mechanic should be in your immediate future.

DRIVE COMPONENTS (chain, belt or driveshaft) make sure they have the proper tension and do not show adverse signs of wear.

S = Sidestand
The sidestand is a handy little item - it is what keeps your motorcycle off the ground. Make sure it is not cracked or bent. Check the spring or springs. Are they in place and do they have enough tension to keep the kickstand safely up?

In 3 minutes you’ll know if everything is in place and operating properly… you are done and you are good to go. So ride safe and enjoy the day!

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Use It or Lose It
by Trauma Mama

Use It or Lose It

As riding season approaches, its time once again to make sure you and your bike are both ready to ride. Preparing yourself includes refreshing ASMI skills. ASMI skills can easily be forgotten if you do not regularly practice or teach them. ASMI certification, just like CPR is recommended to be renewed every two years. More commonly in my practice of teaching ASMI, I see more riders now taking yearly refreshers or repeating the basic and advanced training to refresh their skills. Although each class is one day, they consist of a lot of information. If you are within your two year time, crack open your ASMI books as a review of information and skills. Get your family and friends involved to help you practice skills such as moving the injured, helmet removal, jaw thrust rescue breathing, and priorities of treatment using the ABCSS of trauma. (Airway, breathing, circulation, spinal immobilization, and shock) Make sure you carry your PACT card: PREVENT, ASSESS, CONTACT & TREAT

Remember that scene safety is priority in any emergency situation. Personal protection is part of preventing further injury so check out your nitrile gloves you have tucked away in your jacket and vest to make sure they are not ripped or cracked. Update any emergency information about yourself as well as emergency contact numbers you may have in your cell phone. Remember that if you frequently ride with your significant other, to have other emergency numbers as ICE. These contacts should be people familiar with your medical background. Check out your lighting gear and change batteries.

Assess your med kits and trauma packs. Throw out and renew any expired products. Make sure dressings are intact and ready to go. Open dressings are no longer sterile. Trauma shears are only as good as they are sharp. If you have used them on anything heavy duty last season, you may want to purchase another pair.

Now that your skills are refreshed and supplies replenished you are ready to roll. Sign up for some Rescue Rider mission support runs and encourage your friends and family to also be prepared to ride!

Until next time,
Ride safe
Teresa “Trauma Mama McClelland RN, TNS
ASMI Instructor Trainer
Rescue Rider Director of Training

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Biker-Owned Business of the Month:

Bala’s Harley

Paulette at Bala’s has always been fascinated by women who are involved with motorcycling. At their Grand opening she had Harley Women magazine as a special guest. Paulette has one of the biggest collections of women in motorcycling art in the area including several pieces by David Uhl.

As far as more women being involved in motorcycling Paulette said at Bala's Harley-Davidson, we not only encourage this trend, but want to help make the dream become reality! It is our goal to provide useful information and events geared toward women riders, and to be there with you and for you every step of the way.

The Bala Family, including Adam, Julie and their son Robert, established Bala's Harley-Davidson in 1972. The original operation was located on a side street in Mauston, Wisconsin. Harley-Davidson® motorcycles were sold and serviced out of a small shop heated by a wood stove. Bala's began with a small allocation of motorcycles but began to grow quickly. In 1995, Robert Bala bought the business from his family and moved the dealership to its current location north of Mauston. Shortly after the move Paulette began helping Bob with his expanding workload. This required Paulette to quit grooming dogs, a job she truly misses.

Paulette has an event coming up Saturday March 27th in Mauston: a Garage party with Special guest Tracy "Raptor" Chrobak who is a Women In Motion Road Guardian. WIM RG's plan an event each year to raise money and awareness for ASMI. ASMI is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing injuries and fatalties to motorcyclist's through education.

Bala’s second location is in the Dells, the store is located next to the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory and Synos Cafe. On your next trip to the Dells, stop in and see the great variety of items for every Harley-Davidson® enthusiast! We have a full line of Harley-Davidson® Motorclothes® Apparel, Gifts and Collectibles! Be sure to check out our huge selection of leather jackets, vests, chaps, even shirts! If you're traveling through the Dells and find yourself low on Genuine Motor Oil or Syn 3® we can help with that too!

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Wacky Pic of the Month

Perhaps we need to step up our treadmill work in preparation for riding season??

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