We are all about safety when it comes to riding motorcycles; if you're an experienced rider, you know why. We bikers have to not only pay attention to our own equipment and driving habits, we also have to pay attention to car drivers who might not necessarily see us as we travel down the road. Riding safely is undoubtedly a matter of life and death.
Beyond learning proper bike handling techniques and taking safety awareness courses, there is another program you can get involved in that could save your life. It's called Rider Alert. The program is the American version of a UK program known as CRASH Card, a program developed by the Ambulance Motorcycle Club and brought to this country by way of the Richmond Ambulance Authority in Richmond, Virginia.
Rider Alert was introduced in the Richmond area during the spring of 2011. It proved so successful the organizers took it to the Sturgis rally that same year. Since then, Rider Alert has become a part of rallies all across the country. You might look for it again this year as you're out and about. The program is currently active in New York, Texas, and Virginia. Groups in Kentucky and Delaware are also working to establish the program in their states.
How it Works
The Rider Alert program is designed to give first responders the leg up when arriving on the scene of a motorcycle accident. The information they are presented with could mean the difference between life and death, especially in the critical minutes after a serious accident. Here's how it works:
- The rider signs up for the program by visiting the Rider Alert website or looking for a state organization at one of the many rallies around the country.
- Each participating rider receives a waterproof Rider Alert card to place inside the helmet and a sticker to be affixed to the outside.
- First responders use the information from the sticker and card to determine what to do at the scene of an accident.
The Rider Alert card contains vital information, including any necessary health details and personal contact information. The sticker, which is affixed to the right side of the helmet, tells first responders to look inside for the card. There is also a warning on the sticker against removing the helmet without proper training.
Getting Involved
The Rider Alert organization says the only thing hindering their program from going nationwide is funding. You can get involved by sponsoring local or statewide efforts with your financial donations. Sponsoring organizations can print their own logos on cards to let it be known they are involved.
To sponsor the program in your area you need only contact the Rider Alert program for details. They will get you set up with card stock and explain all the details to you. As an individual rider, you can also get involved by helping to locate sponsors in your local area. Volunteer ambulance organizations, healthcare organizations, and businesses that cater to the motorcycle lifestyle are all good candidates for sponsors.
As always, remember safety first when you are out there on the road. We want you to return home in one piece at the end of the day.
