Massachussetts Motorcycle Accident Blog

Most bikers will agree that the unfortunate downside of hitting the open road on your motorcycle is the increased risk of being in an accident. Fortunately though, there are many courses popping up all over the country to teach bikers how to react in the case of a crash. The Motorcycle Lawyer has heard about a class that starts this fall in Massachusetts. On October 23, 2010 "Crash Course for the Motorcyclist" will be held at the Merrimac Fire Station on Main St from 8:30am to 4:30pm. This course is a pre-requisite for the advanced course called "Advanced Bystander Assistance" which will be held November 7, 2010 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the Merrimac Fire Station. To register for these courses or to find out more information you can call 978-346-9760 or email

gail@accidentscene.org

In August, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed new legislation stating that all prospective motorcycles riders between the age of 16 and 18 MUST take a safety course before applying for their junior operator's license. The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association backed this legislation because, much like The Motorcycle Lawyer, they feel very strongly about the need for all motorcycle riders to be educated on biking safety. The bill has been named "Ryan's Bill" after a Massachusetts teen who was killed in a motorcycle accident. Before now, young riders were only required to pass a vision test and written exam. Statistics state that in the past 10 years almost 25% of all fatal motorcycle crashes in Massachusetts involved bikers under the age of 21. To find one of the 15 locations offering the safety course you can call your local Department of Transportation.

Massachusetts bikers have been told for some time that the money they pay to register their motorcycle with the state of Massachusetts will go, in part, into a "Motorcycle Safety Fund."  At the beginning of this year the MMA (Massachusetts Motorcycle Association) discovered that the Governor of Massachusetts had "reformed" this law and was using this money for other things.  Safety for Massachusetts bikers is extremely important and this money was supposed to go solely to them.  As a result, the MMA has filed a complaint against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts stating that all the money taken from motorcycle registration from 2000-2010 must be accounted for and returned to the Motorcycle Safety Fund.  MMA Chairman Dave Condon stated "Our number one mission is to protect the motorcyclists of this state.  This is their money and we will not back down."  To learn more about what the MMA is doing to help all bikers in Massachusetts visit www.massmotorcycle.org

Simple Ways To Stay On 2 Wheels

Don't give in to peer pressure!   Ride within your limits. Just because your friends are doing something, doesn't mean you should.  Do what makes you feel most comfortable, whether it's about the gear you wear or how fast you ride.

Don't ride beyond your limits!  Remember your skills and don't go beyond them.  Speed can be exciting but exceeding your own limits can result in accidents that range from embarrassing to emergencies.

Read the road!  On a motorcycle you are affected by the elements completely.  Always keep an eye out for potential hazards, keep a relaxed grip on your handle bar and keep steady throttle control while your bike adjusts to the different surfaces.

Keep a maintenance schedule!  Motorcycles require more attention than cars.  Tires and brakes should be changed more frequently and the oil should be changed based on the amount of time it's been in the bike, not the miles traveled. Check your tire pressure frequently, especially when the weather starts to change.

Watch your gas gauge!  Although motorcycles get great gas mileage, the tanks are much smaller than those on a car.  You don't want to be the guy on the side of the road with a dead bike because you ran out of gas.  Most bikers follow the rule that you never let your gauge fall below a quarter of a tank.

Stay hydrated!  Although riding may not seem physically demanding , when your body is exposed to the elements your essential fluids are diminished faster.  Drinking water won't necessarily make you stop for more bathroom brakes, but if it does it just gives you a chance to relax and chat with fellow bikers.  The general rule is drink one bottle of water for every 2 hours you ride, unless you happen to be thirsty or it's hotter than usual.

Don't wear yourself out!  Don't ride to the point of exhaustion.  Taking your bike out is exciting but as you get tired you lose the ability to focus and react quickly.  Ride in moderation, your bike will still be there tomorrow.

Be careful around corners!  Misjudging corners leads to the majority of accidents for new bikers.  Things to avoid are riding wide, taking the curve too quickly and turning at too high of a gear.  The best way to avoid this problem is by following the next step…

Take a safety course!  Even the most experienced riders have said that a safety course helped them brush up on their skills.  Which is more of a blow to your ego?:  Spending a few hundred dollars and a few hours gaining helpful knowledge and life saving tips…. Or crashing and totaling your brand new bike because you didn't learn the right way to ride.  Also, there are potential savings on motorcycle insurance when you've taken a safety course.

Access over 8 million parts in the palm of your hand.

Now there's a free application for Bikers with smart phones. A product called BikeBandit.com allows you to view diagrams of motorcycle parts and then order the parts you need all while standing next to your bike. The application offers OEM parts and after-market solutions. Just go to the App Store on your phone and search "motorcycle parts." www.bikebandit.com

Federal Traffic Agency Changing Their Focus

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been presented with a resolution to focus on crash prevention rather than pushing for increased helmet use.  U.S. Representative Jim Sensenbrenner from Wisconsin is the driving force behind this movement.  He stated that it is Congress' job to protect the freedom of riders as they travel the country.  The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) is in full agreement with this resolution.  Their Senior V.P. of Government Relations, Ed Moreland, thanked Sensenbrenner and his colleagues for being mindful of the importance of education and crash prevention.  The resolution is also proposing that no more federal funds will go to states for things like those pesky helmet laws that many bikers dislike so much.  To read a the full article and official statements go to  http://usridernews.com/2010/07/01/lawmakers-want-federal-traffic-safety-agency-to-focus-on-crash-prevention/