MICHAEL P. MISHOE
Fort Novosel, Alabama

Motorcycle riders are a demographically diverse group. Some take up riding as a purely recreational pastime, while others choose a motorcycle for economic reasons such as getting 50 miles per gallon. Some like riding in big groups and going to large regional rallies, while others prefer to ride alone. I am more of a loner. I prefer freestyle rides without a map, letting the road be my destination.

I bought my first motorcycle at 18. I was starting college about 22 miles from home and needed transportation. With some financial assistance from my father, I found a $600 Kawasaki KZ400 that fit the bill. Once the sale was complete and it was time for me to head off, I remember my father saying, “I hope you don’t kill yourself.” Well, after 250,000 miles and 35 years of riding, I am still clicking off the miles. It is not that I have extraordinary riding skills; I just have a gut-bound determination that I will outsmart the environment and engineer the safest possible riding situation for myself and my passenger. Probably my most basic principle is that I do not have to go fast to have fun and enjoy my ride. However, “clearing the intersection” was the first safety thought tattooed on my riding psyche. Here is what happened.

When I started riding, there was no Motorcycle Safety Foundation or sanctioned beginner riding courses or training (at least as far as I was aware). I just went to the DMV, took a written exam and simple road test, and received my license to ride. Looking back at those first few days of riding that KZ400, I spent hours practicing releasing the clutch slowly and starting from a stop with a smooth and easy acceleration. One of the advantages of learning to ride 35 years ago was there were fewer cars on the road compared to today.

There was a four-lane-to-four-lane intersection in my town with a major railroad line running adjacent. It was a clear day with moderate traffic as I pulled up to a red light. I had a car on my left, ready to turn once we received the green light. As I waited, I put my bike in first gear and held the front brake. After a few minutes, I received the green light. As I eased off the clutch, I failed to give the engine enough gas. The car on my left remained still. My bike sputtered, and I grabbed the front brake, causing the engine to surge and then shut down. Suddenly, a cement truck blew through a red light and sped through the intersection right in front of me. I paused for a moment, realizing that had I not stalled, I would have been in the truck’s path. At the speed the truck driver was traveling, I wouldn’t be around to tell this story.

Lessons learned

This close call taught me a lifelong lesson: Clear all intersections prior to entering. So, how do you do that? It’s similar to an infantry squad clearing a danger zone or obstacle. There are deliberate steps you must take before entering the intersection.

• Step 1 — As you approach the intersection, determine all obstacles and hazards and your action plan upon entering. Are you turning left, right or continuing straight through?
• Step 2 — Once you establish your plan, prepare to enter the intersection. This is your last opportunity to bail out.
• Step 3 — Look left, right and at oncoming traffic to ensure they are stopped. If you are at a multi-lane intersection, use a car on your left or right as a barrier to any last-minute vehicles improperly entering the area or your immediate zone of concern. Let them shield you from taking the hit.
• Step 4 — Accelerate through the intersection.

I must also mention that anything can happen anywhere, so riders must always wear their personal protective equipment, to include a Department of Transportation-approved helmet, a quality riding jacket, full-fingered leather gloves and over-the-ankle boots. Never wear a novelty helmet as an alternative to a real helmet. These novelty caps offer no protection. In addition to your jacket, a pair of riding pants is also a good idea. In the event of a real spill, proper riding leathers will give you the protection you need from painful road rash.

Riding a motorcycle is exciting and fun, whether in a group, with your partner or by yourself. Unfortunately, the open road is not a friendly place for riders. If you want to hop on two wheels, you must first take a training course to learn how to do it properly and safely. And always remember intersections are very dangerous areas that require special attention. See you on the road!