As some of you may know, I wrecked my bike a while ago and have not had the funds to fix it yet... I wouldn't consider my accident severe... I walked away with the usual pains and scrapes, but then again hitting a tree at 55 in the middle of the road at night will do that to you... I landed head first and rolled about 180 feet before stopping... Everybody told me that if i hadn't been wearing my gear I would have been alot worse (dead)... My helmet was scraped down to the innerds, my jacket was in rags, and the carbon fiber on my gloves looked like i put them in a grinder... My helmet hangs on my wall today reminding me that it saved my life, because I know I would have been dead with out it.

We all have read the rider down posts, a good 1-2 every week. We all give our prayers and our sympathy, but should we be doing more? I hear alot of us saying "NO gear, No ride", but every day I see more and more people without helmets no jacket, riding with a pair of shorts and sandals. Now I call these people ignorant. Whether you wear your gear because you are a new rider or scared of other drivers, or just be cause "shit happens", the whole point is you are wearing it...

So i ask you, "what is it that we get that others don't?" Is it expierence, maturity, value of our lives? Maybe a combination of reasons.

Whatever the reason may be, do you find it to be our responsibility to "help others get it?" Wether you do or don't, it could possably make the difference between the life and death of one if not more people.

So how do we do it? What can we do?

IMO:We as tampa bay area motorcycle riders hold a RIDER AWARENESS DAY. I feel it is easier and more effective to inform riders of the dangers associated with riding rather than inform the drivers to look out for motorcycles. If we could just get other people that ride in our area to take some more precaution and be more aware of the risks that they are taking everytime they turn on thier bike it could really make a difference. Many bike manufacturers out there offer a rebate on MSF approved classes taken by riders, MSF itself is a big pusher for motorcycle safety, safety gear manufacturers could provide allot of backing. I have heard a few people say that they know some of those people. We have plenty of local shops that could participate, local clubs, and other motorcycle friendly businesses in the bay area. And also since we strive to be more respected by police we could have them there not harassing but more on an educational aspect...

I know this may seem unreal but it could happen I do not have the resources to put something like this together and I do not want to seem as if i am pushing this on any one person or club or entity... I posted it here because I think that more people visit this site collectively throughout all the bay area clubs more often and this would be a better place to see if this is something that could realistically be done... If one person or group of people feel that they could do something, even if its not my idea I would be willing to help any way that i can.

I really think we need to do something too many people are getting hurt and just because we might not know them, and to us they are just another "squid" it's getting to that time where enough is enough, something must be done.

If anybody has any other ideas or opinions please post...