WHAT FOLLOWS IS IN PART TO THE HARD WORK AND LONG HOURS JOHN PUT INTO THIS!!!!
THANK YOU JOHN,
SCREWDRIVER
www.cyclenews.com/articles/industry-news/2010/02/17/watch-for-motorcyclists
February 17, 2010 - 02:40 PM
Watch For Motorcyclists
The warning signs go up in California
Millions of motorists across California's busy freeways are getting an
important safety message about motorcycles thanks to the California
Highway Patrol, the California Office of Traffic Safety and CalTrans.
The message to "SHARE THE ROAD LOOK TWICE FOR MOTORCYCLISTS" went up in
lights Feb. 11 on approximately 700 changeable message signs, commonly
called "Amber Alert" signs. The one-week message will continue to run
during commute hours through today.
On the 405 freeway, near the MSF's Southern California office, where
just one of the hundreds of signs is located, it's estimated that some
250,000 vehicles pass through every day.
"The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, along with many thousands of
motorcyclists, applaud the CHP, the Office of Traffic Safety and
CalTrans for recognizing the importance of motorcycle safety and for
utilizing this very effective medium to promote highway safety," said
Robert Gladden, director of program administration for the MSF. "We've
received a lot of excited calls from riders, media contacts and a
variety of people in the motorcycle safety community. We hope that the
overwhelming positive response will encourage more motorcycle safety
messages like this to be displayed in the future."
It is more important than ever for motorcyclists to be seen by other
roadway users. Since 2003, the number of motorcycles owned and used in
America grew 19 percent to approximately 10.4 million, according to the
2008 Motorcycle Industry Council Owner Survey. Continuing a trend, that
was a 58 percent increase since 1998, estimated then at 6.6 million.
An estimated 25 million people swung a leg over a bike and rode in 2008,
the survey said. That's a 7 percent increase, from 2003, in the number
of Americans who ride but may or may not own motorcycles. Motorcycling
for Americans has primarily been about recreation and the pure joy of
riding. But among the reasons given for motorcycling, transportation
climbed to second place in the survey, now ahead of short-distance
touring.
Along with encouraging all motorists to look out for motorcyclists, the
MSF strongly suggests that riders wear brightly colored, or contrasting,
helmets and upper-torso riding gear so that they are more conspicuous in
traffic.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation promotes rider safety through rider
training systems, operator licensing tests and public information
programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the
military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders
can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. Standards
established by the MSF have been internationally recognized since 1973.
The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati,
Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph,
Victory, and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call (800) 446-9227 or
visit www.msf-usa.org
------------------
http://motorcycles.about.com/b/2010/02/18/hundreds-of-share-the-road-sig
ns-encourage-motorcycle-awareness-in-california.htm
Hundreds of "Share the Road" Signs Encourage Motorcycle Awareness in
California
Thursday February 18, 2010
It's easy to feel like you're invisible on a motorcycle, especially
since cell phones have elevated driver distraction to epic proportions.
And though I tend to assume that I am invisible on public roads (to be
prepared for the unexpected), I recently felt a small glimmer of
encouragement while riding past an illuminated message on one of the 700
so-called "Amber Alert" signs that are positioned alongside Southern
California freeways*.
The signs read "Share the Road Look Twice For Motorcyclists," and the
special message was displayed for a week during commute hours, thanks to
the California Highway Patrol, California Office of Traffic Safety, and
CalTrans. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recently extended props to
those organizations, mentioning that approximately 250,000 vehicles pass
by the sign near their headquarters in Irvine on a daily basis.
I figure if even a small percentage of drivers become more aware of
motorcycles because of the signs, the project will be well worth the
effort.
Source: Ty van Hooydonk's Twitter Feed, Motorcycle Industry Council
