Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Another governing entity for Motorcyclists

OFF THE WIRE
Recently, a discussion about motorcyclists was initiated by an employee of FEMA, Aline Delhaye, Secretary General at FEMA. I was unaware that FEMA was involved in the creation or implementation of any rules, regulations or controls of motorcycles and motorcyclists. FEMA, in this case, is not the group that was absorbed by Homeland Security. Rather, it is 

Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations.


What makes riding different from driving?

As part of FEMA work on training, licensing and also on ITS impacting motorcycling for the last decade, I have come to the conclusion that we are missing crucial information about the mental activities performed by riders when driving their bikes. Such mental activities and actions have been thoroughly studied for car drivers, but to my knowledge very little (if anything at all) has been done for mc drivers. Are you aware of scientific studies or any other work in that specific area?

Aline,

If you were able to effect change, rephrase the question. First of all, take a look at at your second last sentence. As a frame of reference, wagons are hitched to a single horse or team of horses or other livestock that are driven by a driver. When the conveyance happens to be the livestock itself, it is ridden by a rider.

This nomenclature is crucial to all understanding of the difference between drivers and riders. The mindset, physical activities, vulnerabilities, physics are different in both the static and kinetic environments.

Thank you for the heads up about more crash avoidance for riders. We will now have to avoid impact with FEMA, training, licensing and ITS.

The crucial information that you are missing is easily found in front of you. Do not use the, all to familiar, courtroom defense of, "I didn't see 'em". That excuse has killed or injured thousands upon thousands of riders.

Quit making motorcyclists the victim on and off of the roadways.

Mike Greenwald