By Rose L. Thayer
http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=65948
Texas - 1,500 motorcyclists take part in ride to raise awareness about sharing road
By Rose L. Thayer Killeen Daily Herald
NOLANVILLE - Nearly 1,500 motorcyclists gathered Sunday on the 28th birthday of Michael Wall and, at the request of his mother, sang "Happy Birthday."
"Overwhelming," said Jeanette Wall, of traveling from Union, Miss., to see the call for awareness that emerged after the death of her son.
"This is more than a celebration for Michael, because this celebration makes people more aware and can save somebody's life," said Wall.
Michael Wall, a sergeant in the 418th Transportation Company, 180th Battalion, 13th Sustainment Command, with three deployments to Iraq, was one of five lives lost to motorcycle accidents in Killeen this year - all of which occurred in the month of April, according to the Killeen Police Department.
"We had to do something to be seen by this community," said Terri Benezet, coordinator of the Do You See Me Now? motorcycle run. "It's time that we're seen; it's time that we're heard."
Benezet organized the ride, which ran from Kay's Motorcycle Mania in Nolanville to Ogletree Gap Park in Copperas Cove, in the wake of Michael Wall's accident on Stagecoach Road April 7. He and his passenger were hit when a vehicle attempted to turn left onto Green Oaks Road and struck the motorcycle.
Patience Giersdorf survived the accident, but spent three weeks in the hospital and has two broken legs.
"There are too many drivers who don't pay attention to motorcycles," she said. "We are losing riders to people who are not paying attention."
The biggest danger that bikers face, said many, are people driving vehicles while using cellphones.
"Put the phone down and watch where you're going," said Lee Ward, a friend of Michael Wall. "And at all costs, avoid bikes."
During the ride, an incident occurred with a vehicle that took down four bikes, said Benezet.
"Somebody came up the on-ramp on the phone and hit one bike," she said. This caused a chain reaction.
"I sure hope (we raised awareness)," she said of the ride. "We are trying to educate people, because even today, this guy said he didn't see us."
There are nearly half a million motorcycles registered in Texas, according to the Department of Public Safety. Last year, 470 motorcyclists were killed in the state and just more than half were not wearing helmets.
To be more aware of surroundings while driving, Jerry Rose, chairman of the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association, said to look for the smallest object that could be in the road, such as a child's ball.
"Then you'll see these bigger things and be able to react more to them," he said. "Look twice, look three times, never quit looking."
For the family of Michael Wall, they just hope that Sunday's event can save another family from their pain.
"We have to believe that God has a plan for everything," said Lynn Townsend, his sister. "Something good has to come out of tragedy. If one life is saved, then he didn't die in vain."
Contact Rose L. Thayer at rthayer@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7463. Follow her on Twitter at KDHreporter.
NOLANVILLE - Nearly 1,500 motorcyclists gathered Sunday on the 28th birthday of Michael Wall and, at the request of his mother, sang "Happy Birthday."
"Overwhelming," said Jeanette Wall, of traveling from Union, Miss., to see the call for awareness that emerged after the death of her son.
"This is more than a celebration for Michael, because this celebration makes people more aware and can save somebody's life," said Wall.
Michael Wall, a sergeant in the 418th Transportation Company, 180th Battalion, 13th Sustainment Command, with three deployments to Iraq, was one of five lives lost to motorcycle accidents in Killeen this year - all of which occurred in the month of April, according to the Killeen Police Department.
"We had to do something to be seen by this community," said Terri Benezet, coordinator of the Do You See Me Now? motorcycle run. "It's time that we're seen; it's time that we're heard."
Benezet organized the ride, which ran from Kay's Motorcycle Mania in Nolanville to Ogletree Gap Park in Copperas Cove, in the wake of Michael Wall's accident on Stagecoach Road April 7. He and his passenger were hit when a vehicle attempted to turn left onto Green Oaks Road and struck the motorcycle.
Patience Giersdorf survived the accident, but spent three weeks in the hospital and has two broken legs.
"There are too many drivers who don't pay attention to motorcycles," she said. "We are losing riders to people who are not paying attention."
The biggest danger that bikers face, said many, are people driving vehicles while using cellphones.
"Put the phone down and watch where you're going," said Lee Ward, a friend of Michael Wall. "And at all costs, avoid bikes."
During the ride, an incident occurred with a vehicle that took down four bikes, said Benezet.
"Somebody came up the on-ramp on the phone and hit one bike," she said. This caused a chain reaction.
"I sure hope (we raised awareness)," she said of the ride. "We are trying to educate people, because even today, this guy said he didn't see us."
There are nearly half a million motorcycles registered in Texas, according to the Department of Public Safety. Last year, 470 motorcyclists were killed in the state and just more than half were not wearing helmets.
To be more aware of surroundings while driving, Jerry Rose, chairman of the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association, said to look for the smallest object that could be in the road, such as a child's ball.
"Then you'll see these bigger things and be able to react more to them," he said. "Look twice, look three times, never quit looking."
For the family of Michael Wall, they just hope that Sunday's event can save another family from their pain.
"We have to believe that God has a plan for everything," said Lynn Townsend, his sister. "Something good has to come out of tragedy. If one life is saved, then he didn't die in vain."
Contact Rose L. Thayer at rthayer@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7463. Follow her on Twitter at KDHreporter.
