BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Motorcycles Family and Rider Safety

I am a "new" owner of an 04 Heritage Classic I have affectionately named "Melissa". My wife and I both put our names on the note, but since we bought the bike, my sense is that my wife may be "concerned" for my safety, especially on longer trips to Michigan, Minnesota, and maybe even South Dakota. In short, I believe I am a safer rider than a lot of folks I see on the road. I wear a full face helmet on the 4 lanes, and a half helmet in town on the way to work. I absolutely will not drink if I am anywhere near my bike. I took the safety course, in part because it has been some time since I used a motorcycle regularly. I read accident reports regularly so I can learn from mistakes. This spring I anticipate going to a parking lot and spending a few days refamiliarizing myself with "Melissa". I guess I try to be as safe as I possibly can under the circumstances since it IS a motorcycle. My question for you is my wife is "concerned" for my safety. She does not question my abilities as a rider, but rather the dangers others are around me while I am on the motorcycle. Is there anything I can tell her, or give her, that might help alleviate some of those fears? Even the safest people cannot always avoid an accident, but when I leave for a ride, I want to make sure SHE is empowered with the knowledge I can be safe out there. Alan~aka Boomer

Boomer

Although motorcycle riding is inherently more dangerous than driving a car there are ways to lessen the risk. The most important ways to reduce risk are: proper safety gear, increased riding skills, and being aware of your surroundings. By your description, you are taking all of these measures and are very up to date.

Let your wife know that everything you do in life comes with risk. Crossing a street has risk because you never know if a driver will be distracted. You are doing everything right and then some. If all automobile drivers were as conscientous as you are, there would be less accidents of all types.

Boomer,

I understand how your wife can feel. If I am not out riding with my husband, I worry about him too. I've seen too many things happen from items flying off of a pickup truck, to being struck by a left-hand turn person who was looking right at us when she hit us! My husband is 50 and has been riding since he was 14. He also never drinks while biking and reads current safety information. My suggestion is that you keep in constant contact with her by phone. Another alternative, altho pricey, is to get a Spot Satelite Messenger. Not only can she track you and your progress, if you have trouble, it will alert the emergency responders where you are located. Of course you will have to get a subscription too. This may be a good way to make you both feel better and let you enjoy your bike without guilt. It may be worth the price.

Great ideas and thank you for your support of fellow riders.