MC Nation Podcast

Literally. Seeing red. How many times has this played out in your experiences? You pull up to a red light and bring your motorcycle to a smooth, safe stop. Cross traffic begins to thin and you prepare to proceed through the light to your destination. As the cross traffic begins to come to a stop, you begin to anticipate the changing of the light by easing your clutch into the friction zone and letting the motorcycle slowly start to edge forward. Just then it happens. The traffic traveling the opposite direction begins to proceed but your light does not change. You wait as the same scenario of thinning out takes place and then they come to a stop and cross traffic begins to move again. You begin to see red. Literally. In more ways than one.

This is a problem everywhere. The sensors buried in the pavement are supposed to detect the metal mass above them to trigger a light change. Most cities have the sensitivity set to detect automobiles which have far more mass to them than a motorcycle. So, you do not get detected sitting there and you see more and more red as the lights cycle. So, what options do we have when faced with this predicament? Wait for a car to pull up or run the light are about our only options outside of purchasing a “Green Light Trigger”, a device that proclaims the ability to trigger the sensors. I am somewhat skeptical of this, but if any of you readers have first hand knowledge, let us know.

California has taken measures to mandate that any new installations have sensitivity settings that will detect motorcycles and even bicycles. Other states have passed red-light laws. These laws allow you to safely proceed through the red light if the light is not being triggered. My experience has been that most occurrences happen in left turn lanes, but my research has shown that it often happens at throughways as well. Either way, it is a frustrating experience when your choice is to wait or illegally run the light.

The states that are allowing motorcycles to safely proceed through the light, legally, if it will not trigger have provided a simple approach to solving the problem without spending taxpayer money. Hats off to Minnesota for leading the charge to allowing this law back in 2003. Since then, Tennessee, Arkansas, Idaho, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and South Carolina have seen the light as well (no pun intended). There are currently proposed bills in Oklahoma, Georgia, and Missouri. I like this law. My only problem is that there are irresponsible motorcyclists out there that will not safely check for traffic and will lose their lives. When this happens, the cries will not cease to echo in the halls of the state legislatures. If you live in one of the states that allow this action, please be responsible and be safe. Let’s show the safetycrats that this can work and see if we can’t get it adopted in other states as well.

As always, I encourage your comments whether you agree with me or not!
Ride Safe
Steve & the MC Nation

Some states have mandated that anyone wanting to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on their license must pass a motorcycle safety course. This brings up many issues. I will be blogging on this subject in the next few days.

I want to ask you, whether your ride a motorcycle or not, do you agree that a rider safety course should be mandatory? Leave it in comments!

Thanks for your support!

Steve and the MC Nation

The local newspaper, The Indianapolis Star, ran a story about a young man that lost his life in a motorcycle accident this weekend. The reporter actually only told part of the story, which is a little surprising. Normally the first thing reported is that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet. It is not even mentioned in this story. But, don’t stop there. Check out the comments left on the story and you will start to see other information. I did not know this person personally but I am friends with people that were close to him.

I was told that there was a history of extremely fast riding. I heard from one of my sources, even before I read the comments for the story, that the estimated speed was 130 mph. There was a hill in the area of the accident and at the estimated speed, or a much lower speed, it would be impossible to stop the motorcycle prior to impact after cresting the hill. i also received information that the skid marks were in excess of 40 feet long. What reason is there to run that type of speed on any road meant for general transportation? Some people want to ban motorcycles for actions such as this. Others want to ban sportbikes only. You could almost compare it to the handgun issue that we have here in the United States. Guns do not kill people,the person pulling the trigger does. Motorcycles do not run 130 mph without someone there to roll on that throttle. It is all about responsibility. I know hundreds of people that ride sportbikes that have never seen speeds over 75 mph which would pass on almost any highway here. Responsibility.

We are shooting ourselves in the foot. We are bringing unnecessary negative attention to our nation and we need to stop. Look at the comments to the story. Funkyzero writes that their children will never ride a motorcycle. MissLinda basically said that most people have problems with the riders. The problem is that when people see someone running at light speed, performing a stoppie, or riding a wheelie down the highway, they don’t differentiate between a responsible rider and an irresponsible one. They see a motorcycle. So, all motorcyclists are irresponsible in their eyes.

This situation is a very unfortunate one but definitely one that could have easily been avoided. Irresponsibility is a stereotype that we can not afford to have tagged on us. Let’s police our nation and save lives at the same time. Our thoughts go out to both families and anyone who is affected by the senseless death.

Ride Safe

Steve and the MC Nation