SHANNAN BOGGS
Radiation Safety Office
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
My friends and I were enjoying a gorgeous spring day. The sun was shining and temperatures were hovering in the upper 70s. I had begun my safety training course the previous week and was feeling a bit overwhelmed. We’d just had our weekend safety briefing, which focused on motorcycle riding. I know everyone has heard about motorcycle safety, and briefings about it can seem like beating a dead horse, but this one was particularly appropriate for what was about to occur.
The class had dispersed for the weekend and groups of people gathered to carpool and run errands. I was in one of those groups, and we went to a local store to pick up some supplies. We were discussing some of the things we’d learned in class — comparing it to what we’d seen some motorcycle riders doing.
We were casually crossing the parking lot and were only about 20 feet from our car when we heard a loud noise. It was the sound of a rider revving his motorcycle’s engine as he rode by, showing off while going through the parking lot. The sound was so loud that it got everyone’s attention, which is what I suspect was the rider’s intention. Had I not turned to see what the noise was, I would have missed what happened next.
Almost as if in slow motion, I watched him twist the throttle and try to do an endo (make his bike stand on the front wheel). The rear wheel lifted off the pavement, but then he lost control. He made a valiant effort to jump off the bike before it flipped over, but didn’t quite make it. He landed on the ground, remaining motionless for a few seconds as if trying to comprehend what had just happened. He then jumped to his feet, quickly realizing he’d injured his left leg, and started hopping away from the bike. The crowd watched and offered help, but he said he was OK as he went around trying to recover pieces of his bike. He was clearly hurt, but, for some reason, wouldn’t admit it.
He had another rider with him who stopped his bike and began helping pick up the broken pieces. This accident happened in front of a group of Army safety professionals who offered aid, but it was vehemently rejected. When asked what happened, he said his front wheel locked up, causing the crash.
The rider and his buddy were wearing helmets, jeans, sneakers and T-shirts — not exactly the recommended personal protective equipment for riders. Proper footwear would have at least better protected his ankle. Perhaps getting proper rider training and taking to heart the safety practices would’ve enabled him to avoid the accident. Or, maybe checking his ego at the door before getting on his bike would’ve been the crucial factor in preventing this accident.
While I will always remember this accident because of its uncanny timing and relevance to our safety briefing, it is the attitude of the rider I remember most. His utter disregard for safety played a key role in this accident’s chain of events. His invincible attitude — along with his denying his own role in the mishap — were what concerned me most. Even with all the safety briefings, classes and pamphlets available, how do you get through to a rider who won’t accept responsibility?
The point is, even if you’re confident in your riding skills, you may not always be able to predict what your bike will do. Be responsible, maintain your motorcycle and use safe riding skills so you can finish your ride on your bike — not your back. Remember, it’s up to you to choose to ride safely and responsibly.
Did You Know?
The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center’s Surviving Riding Book has a lot of good information on handling difficult or dangerous motorcycle situations along with maintenance tips and other topics designed to help make riding a pleasure, not a pain. Check it out at https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/PMV-2-Motorcycles/Pamphlets-Checklists/Surviving-Riding-Book.