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.
Yep I don't do that. My neighbors like me as a far know..;o)
whatever!
no biker gets up that early.
Ha ha!. I know I sure don't! :o)
No kidding. If you’re sleeping in later than a biker, you got a problem.
you are talking to one. I get up at 4am to head out at 5am on my "quiet" honda. I like harley's,, just not obnoxious loud ones.
I ride to work most every day unless its raining, even when its 23'F! I hate to get to work wet.
Not at 65mph, no!
Look, I’ve lived on 1431 for 30 years - the best riding anywhere in the state. Every year we cheer the ROT guys and gals on as they pass through.
Every year we watch for bikes in this season.
Every year we count the ones who dump, the bad way.
Every year we try to warn riders NOT to take roads under construction, no matter how pretty they are.
I can show you 15 flower memorials on 1431 alone where someone (and ususally two) bit it.
Why do bicyclists and motorcyclists take road advice as some kind of insult?
You’re not the ones who live here and have to re-live every horrible wreck scene every time we drive it everyday.
‘What happened, Mommy?’ ‘Oh, nothing.’
I moved to Austin in ‘76 and lived in Leander for 12 years and know 1431, 2243, Nameless Rd etc and it IS the best riding in the state. All I’m saying is that “May Not see a bike” is not acceptable
Honest your Honor,, temporary insanity.. I killed them all, I admit,, but those dams leaf blowers outside my bedroom drove me INSANE!!!............................... NOT GUILTY!!!!!!!
Well, OK.
I’m watching you.
But are the thousand Soccer Moms in their Excursions on their cell phones with screaming kids in the back watching you?
Not to mention, in Austin's case, the gravel trucks with bad brakes (or inattentive, or don't-give-a-5h1t drivers) that used to barrel down "homicide alley"-- Ed Bluestein Blvd/US183 on the east side.
For what it’s worth, I say a small prayer before climbing on in the hopes that they are, S~
It is absolutely fantastic. I went on a 60 mile ride through twisty roads in the mountains of NC today with 5 other Harley riders who were blown away seeing how easy I negotiated the turns. It hugs the road like a car and has a vehicle stability system developed in conjunction with Bosch that has about 9 sensors in the roadster that works in conjunction with the traction control system, the antilock braking system and the vehicle stability system that reduces the risk of losing control. You can't lean the bike like a 2 wheeler, so you have to "muscle" the steering a bit if you ride aggressively like I tend to do, but it is somewhat easy, with dynamic power steering. All in all it is a great machine, and as the ads on TV say, it would have been first in its class, if it had a class, as it is so unique. When I first got it, someone asked what in the hell was it, and I told him it was a Harley with training wheels.
LOL!!!
a Harley with training wheels
I've seen a Harley with training wheels in Oklahoma. The driver was wearing a helmet with a VERY DARK face shield.
Now that is hard core. I only ride when the sun is shining and it's 70 degrees...;o)
Tramps like us, baby we were born to run.
I just run in an F-250. I witness way more roadburn than I suffer.
It helps if you guys rev whenever traffic starts to knot up when we’re all coming to a stop
.
Keep that up, it’s more sens-able than tiny blinkers we can’t see because there’s a cement truck in front of us.
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I couldn't agree with you more. A couple of us were just posting each other on this thread about loud pipes v quiet pipes. Mine are loud and I 'burp' them especially in bumper traffic. Good point thanks
Oh daaaaammn, that’s crazy. A Trumpy 6cyl?
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