Motorcycle Safety Corner

By: Michael Murphy, State of NH ALR Run Coordinator

I want to thank everyone who participated in the 3rd Annual NH American Legion Riders Leagcy Poker Run.  The ride started at The American Legion in Hooksett with breakfast hosted by Chapter 14.  Registration and poker hands were done by Chapter 7 - Manchester.  The ride went to Hopkinton, Antrim, and a stop in the Town of New Boston.  There we all gathered at a Veterans Memorial where our State Director John Froehling, State Chaplain Joyce Murnane, Assistant Director Lisa Rojek and State Sgt at Arms Russ Rojek conducted a memorial ceremony and placed a wreath at the memorial.  A moment to reflect the reason we ride and pay tribute to those who gave us our Freedoms.  Kickstands up, we headed to our final destination, The AmericanLegion in Merrimack where the venue was hosted by Chapter 15. We were blessed with a safe ride, a beautiful day to enjoy an afternoon with music provided by Groovy Afternoon, a few bike rodeo games, raffles and 50/50 and a BBQ.  Thank you to all who attended this day and helped with our Legacy Scholarship fundraiser. Many thanks to all those who helped with road guarding, all the police depts and to everyone who helped make this event a huge success.

Only you can make a difference for you! Take some simple steps to ride safely:

1. Do not drink and ride! Ride straight!

2. Watch traffic around you on the roadways – treat every other driver as if they do not see you!

3. Ride responsibly – treat other drivers with the same respect you would like for them to give you.

Remember – the life you save could be your own!

Here is an interesting link to Motorcycle Cafes the US..

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Goals: The immediate goals of being a Road Captain and or a Road Guard are as follows:
1. Even though you have chosen to ride for the “Group” and not for yourself, you should always ride with your own safety in mind FIRST and second as a “Team” group rider.
2. Learn the basic skills of a “Team” group rider (slow take-offs, hand signals, working with the Lead and Rear Road Captains to change lanes smoothly (no abrupt moves) warning the other riders when a vehicle appears to be drifting into their lane, etc.)
3. The priorities of the ride: Safe Fun Ride we can be proud of!

Objectives:
1. Set a safe, responsible example for the chapter members when riding. (avoid creating hazardous situations)
2. Provide for the safety and welfare of all individuals within the group and any surrounding motorists or pedestrians.
3. Lead – help lead the group to its destination in a well-organized, disciplined and safe manner. Safety of the group takes priority over individual riders and keeping the group together.

4. Educate chapter members about group riding techniques.
5. Be knowledgeable of the state laws and safe riding guidelines.

Drive defensively!