Posted on 05/23/2010 2:25:12 PM PDT by Bad~Rodeo
Austin, Tx. A horrific accident in Phoenix that killed four motorcyclists in March has touched hearts worldwide, even right here in Austin. Now bikers in this area are remembering their fallen friends and reminding drivers to pay attention while on the road.
On Sunday, the roars of more than 200 motorcycles sliced through the morning stillness at Barton Creek Square Mall, as riders of all ages with neon-colored shirts came together to spread a message. "People seem to overlook us on the road alot and they really need to realize we're on the road and we're in more danger than they are," biker Lena Trumbo said.
It's all part of a campaign to make drivers more aware of motorcycles on the roads, and realize that one second of carelessness behind the wheel can end a life. "I've been hit by a car three times. The last time was in San Antonio," Robert Ingram, a biker who has been riding since 1971, said. Ingram knows he's lucky to be alive.
"I was hit in the rear at 75 miles an hour. I lost my helmet, I lost my boots, flying through the air 250 feet, hit the ground and fortunately only had a sprained ankle," he said. Sunday's ride for the fallen reaches far beyond Austin.
"This started because four people died in Phoenix when some guy wasn't even looking and hit them while they were stopped at a stoplight," a man on a ladder said. In fact, the movement has spread worldwide. "The last count, there were more than 200 groups and 20,000 people participating," biker Larry Boone said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, 47% of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of vehicle on the roadway.
It didn't take long for these motorcyclists to split into small groups. They spent hours honking and waving on downtown streets to draw attention to themselves, and show drivers that sharing the road is the best way for everyone to stay safe.
"We just want to raise awareness and say hey we're here look out for us cause we could be right behind you," Boone said.
I must be getting old,,, I use to have a sporty a decade ago,, put Screaming Eagle pipes on it,,, took it around for a day and took them off,,, to loud.
LOL~, that’s what I run. Loud Pipes Saves Lives
Ya know what they say,,, men are just boys with more expensive toys! Maybe "they" are right ;->
Oh man you really HAVE gone over to the dark side! I had Screaming Eagle slip ons on my 2001 Sporty and now have them on my '03 Twin Cam 88 FXST...but sometimes am tempted to install some shotguns...just love loud Harleys...:o)
I want a bumper sticker for my truck that says “Start seeing cars”.
So-called "dangerous" toys are the best ones!
Screaming Eagles are just loud enough that you can blip the throttle and get a driver’s attention if you need to (like when they don’t see you) but soft enough to not make the neighbors hate you too much if you keep the revs down..;o)
Exactly and they’re also great for setting off car alarms, LOL~
Yeah...don't ya just love that when that happens? :o)
Yep,,, I found I enjoy peace and quiet,,, and I hate hypocrites. You can barely hear my current ride idle, Love it, also prefer to ride alone and not in groups,,,,, different strokes, different folks...
What's funny is I love "quiet" in every other aspect of my life...just something about the sound of a healthy v-twin I seem to never tire of...:o)
I too have been riding since 16 and I'm now 55. I cant imagine life without my Harley. Part of the American dream. People need to pay attention to Bikers on the road. God bless America!!! P.S. Left wing Liberal nutcases suck!
There is just nothing quite like two-wheeling it...and there is a great satisfaction one gets from coming back from another venture in to the world of steel , glass and concrete and living to tell about it. Liberals seem to hate that sort of thing and will do everything they can to stop those who love it from doing it.
I'm looking to get one of these:
I’ve seen lots of bikers peacing each other today... makes sense.
OTOH, if you come to play on the roads in an overgrown city whose ridiculously crowded streets - big rigs, big trucks pulling big full landscaping trailers and big boats - don’t be surprised if you aren’t ‘seen’.
Some of us are focusing on the big rigs on our way to work, school, etc, and may not notice a bike.
I mean, I don’t go out swimming in the gulf with sharks with bleeding wounds.
Yep, on a bike its not defensive driving; you gotta be on offense all the time.
Yeah and I never ride if not feeling 100%...if you want to survive you have to be totally on your toes at all times. That has to be part of the allure. I've always loved a challenge...
or children in a crosswalk, or someone in a wheelchair, uh huh, Thanks
How would you like a next door neighbor firing up that Harley everyday at 4am? That's what turned me off loud pipes.
The older I get the more forward my footpegs are...LOL! If I ever moved them back like that I would get myself in trouble...hard to get too carried away when you look/feel like you're sitting in a gyno chair!! Ha ha!
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