Safety Pledge Seeks to Raise Awareness, Cut Motorcycle Accidents

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation calls motorcycling “serious fun.” It’s a great play on words. The phrase reflects how much of a joy it can be to experience the freedom of riding on the open roads of Ohio, but it also highlights the reality that when you straddle a motorcycle and take to the streets, you have to get serious about managing the inherent risks that go along with the activity.

A great deal of the burden of minimizing risks falls on motorcycle riders themselves. But it also is a reality that motorcyclists fall victim to injury due to other drivers’ negligence and unfair treatment from insurance companies. Delays and denials of claims for compensation do occur and often it requires a fight to obtain benefits due.

Meanwhile, the MSF continues to do what it can to promote safety for all motorcyclists. One way it is doing this is by fostering effective conversations among prospective riders and their loved ones about how to enhance responsible riding. And to help in this regard it encourages adoption of its Contract for Safety.

The primary goal of the contract is to foster discussion about the elements that contribute to safety. Such things as developing heightened situational awareness, the importance of getting properly licensed, taking rider training from certified instructors and committing to wearing effective protective gear are foundational. But then the contract goes deeper.

It invites the prospective rider to pledge to only ride a motorcycle that is property suited to his or her physical characteristics. It also includes provisions for learning and practicing motorcycling-specific defensive driving techniques and a pledge to take refresher courses regularly.

Motorcycling may not be for everyone, but it is available to anyone who chooses it as a means of transportation. It is legal and with the privilege comes rights that deserve to be defended when necessary. If you or a loved one has been injured due to an Ohio motorcycle accident, contact one of our Ohio personal injury lawyers at 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free consultation today.