Who We Are
For All Motorcycle Riders and Automobile Drivers– A Commitment To Safety For All
Whether I am a new rider or have been operating a motor vehicle for years, I understand the great responsibility I have in safeguarding the lives of others and myself when I grab onto the handle bars or get behind the wheel. I also understand that my choices can have a life-changing effect on those who care about me, especially if my decisions lead to a crash. I pledge to ride and drive safely and to minimize my risks, and I hope to lead by example, because my family and friends are out there on the roadways – as motorcyclists, drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians – and I want to protect their lives as well as my own.
By initialing the following statements, I agree to and understand the utmost importance of each:
___ Be Aware of the Risks Associated with motorcycling – I understand that safe riding requires dedicated attention to the task and a mindful awareness of everything around me. I also understand that vulnerable roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorcyclists, rely on me to be aware of them and to operate my motor vehicle, no matter what it is, safely and predictably in their presence.
___ Get Properly Trained - I will take a professional rider course, to learn proper mental strategies and riding skills before advancing to road riding. I will obtain proper insurance for my vehicle to demonstrate that I am a responsible rider or motor vehicle operator.
___ Before You Start Your Ride – I will prepare for each ride by: wearing proper protective gear, especially a proper fitting helmet, and I will do a safety “ walk around” to ensure all parts are secure and in good condition, tires are properly inflated, brakes function properly and mirrors are adjusted. When the motorcycle is in motion, I will focus on safe riding and will not text, use a hand-held device, shave, put on makeup, adjust infotainment or navigation systems, allow passengers or pets to distract me or engage in any other distractions.
___ Use a Safe-Riding Strategy – I will maintain awareness of the traffic environment and my position within it by using safe riding strategies such as SEE (Search, Evaluate, Execute) and a 2-second minimum following distance. Before making a left turn at an intersection or into a driveway, I will look ahead carefully to ensure that I am not cutting in front of an oncoming motorcycle or any other vehicle. In addition to using my mirrors I will always turn my head to assess the location of other vehicles or pedestrians may be in my “blind spot”, before turning that changing lanes or changing direction.
___ Prepare for the Unexpected – I will always remember that traffic, and motor vehicle operators, are unpredictable. I will be on the lookout for vehicles that I do not expect to see on the road, such as ATVs, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, and farm equipment, plus pedestrians and animals.
___ Be a Courteous Rider – I will always use my turn signals to communicate my intentions. I will allow other motorists to merge into my lane ahead of me as appropriate. To ensure efficient traffic flow, I will use the left-most lane (on multi-lane roadways) only as a passing lane, not a driving lane. I will not tailgate, cut off other motorists, or engage in rude and potentially hazardous behavior.
___ Ride Within My Limits or Ability – I will not ride aggressively or make risky maneuvers. Riding too fast for the conditions, tailgating, and weaving through gaps between vehicles increase my chance of crashing or causing other motor vehicle operators to crash. I realize that if I rush because I'm late, I run the risk of arriving much later or not at all because of being pulled over or put in an ambulance after a crash. I will honestly assess my capabilities and mental attitude before I start my engine as both aspects are required to safely navigate my motorcycle on the street.
___ Skills Investment – I will do my best to improve my skills and abilities through taking additional training programs and regular practice sessions.
___ Drive Unimpaired – I will never be impaired by alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs, including prescription drugs, when riding. Riding is a serious activity that requires intense focus, accurate perception, and the ability to make split-second decisions. I am aware that almost one-third of all motor vehicle operators killed in crashes were under the influence of alcohol or a drug. I also will not be influenced by negative peer pressure, and will make my own appropriate decisions based on my regard for traffic safety, my life, and the lives of others.
___ Keep My Motorcycle in Excellent Operating Condition – I will follow the maintenance schedule as outlined in the owner's manual, and I will ensure repairs are made promptly. I will regularly check the tires because inflation pressure and overall condition affect tire grip on the road. I will have fluid leaks fixed promptly, since fluids on road surfaces increase the risk that other motorists, especially motorcyclists, will lose traction and possibly crash.
I acknowledge that if I drive untrained, recklessly, impaired or distracted, I am increasing the risk of a life-altering injury or death to other roadway users and myself. This would not only affect the victims and me, but could affect their family and friends as well as my family and friends. I love my life and respect the lives of others; therefore, I am committed to being a safe and responsible driver.
Adapted and altered for motorcyclists from:
ForCarDrivers.com is a program established by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) to promote safe interaction among all roadway users
Whether I am a new rider or have been operating a motor vehicle for years, I understand the great responsibility I have in safeguarding the lives of others and myself when I grab onto the handle bars or get behind the wheel. I also understand that my choices can have a life-changing effect on those who care about me, especially if my decisions lead to a crash. I pledge to ride and drive safely and to minimize my risks, and I hope to lead by example, because my family and friends are out there on the roadways – as motorcyclists, drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians – and I want to protect their lives as well as my own.
By initialing the following statements, I agree to and understand the utmost importance of each:
___ Be Aware of the Risks Associated with motorcycling – I understand that safe riding requires dedicated attention to the task and a mindful awareness of everything around me. I also understand that vulnerable roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorcyclists, rely on me to be aware of them and to operate my motor vehicle, no matter what it is, safely and predictably in their presence.
___ Get Properly Trained - I will take a professional rider course, to learn proper mental strategies and riding skills before advancing to road riding. I will obtain proper insurance for my vehicle to demonstrate that I am a responsible rider or motor vehicle operator.
___ Before You Start Your Ride – I will prepare for each ride by: wearing proper protective gear, especially a proper fitting helmet, and I will do a safety “ walk around” to ensure all parts are secure and in good condition, tires are properly inflated, brakes function properly and mirrors are adjusted. When the motorcycle is in motion, I will focus on safe riding and will not text, use a hand-held device, shave, put on makeup, adjust infotainment or navigation systems, allow passengers or pets to distract me or engage in any other distractions.
___ Use a Safe-Riding Strategy – I will maintain awareness of the traffic environment and my position within it by using safe riding strategies such as SEE (Search, Evaluate, Execute) and a 2-second minimum following distance. Before making a left turn at an intersection or into a driveway, I will look ahead carefully to ensure that I am not cutting in front of an oncoming motorcycle or any other vehicle. In addition to using my mirrors I will always turn my head to assess the location of other vehicles or pedestrians may be in my “blind spot”, before turning that changing lanes or changing direction.
___ Prepare for the Unexpected – I will always remember that traffic, and motor vehicle operators, are unpredictable. I will be on the lookout for vehicles that I do not expect to see on the road, such as ATVs, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, and farm equipment, plus pedestrians and animals.
___ Be a Courteous Rider – I will always use my turn signals to communicate my intentions. I will allow other motorists to merge into my lane ahead of me as appropriate. To ensure efficient traffic flow, I will use the left-most lane (on multi-lane roadways) only as a passing lane, not a driving lane. I will not tailgate, cut off other motorists, or engage in rude and potentially hazardous behavior.
___ Ride Within My Limits or Ability – I will not ride aggressively or make risky maneuvers. Riding too fast for the conditions, tailgating, and weaving through gaps between vehicles increase my chance of crashing or causing other motor vehicle operators to crash. I realize that if I rush because I'm late, I run the risk of arriving much later or not at all because of being pulled over or put in an ambulance after a crash. I will honestly assess my capabilities and mental attitude before I start my engine as both aspects are required to safely navigate my motorcycle on the street.
___ Skills Investment – I will do my best to improve my skills and abilities through taking additional training programs and regular practice sessions.
___ Drive Unimpaired – I will never be impaired by alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs, including prescription drugs, when riding. Riding is a serious activity that requires intense focus, accurate perception, and the ability to make split-second decisions. I am aware that almost one-third of all motor vehicle operators killed in crashes were under the influence of alcohol or a drug. I also will not be influenced by negative peer pressure, and will make my own appropriate decisions based on my regard for traffic safety, my life, and the lives of others.
___ Keep My Motorcycle in Excellent Operating Condition – I will follow the maintenance schedule as outlined in the owner's manual, and I will ensure repairs are made promptly. I will regularly check the tires because inflation pressure and overall condition affect tire grip on the road. I will have fluid leaks fixed promptly, since fluids on road surfaces increase the risk that other motorists, especially motorcyclists, will lose traction and possibly crash.
I acknowledge that if I drive untrained, recklessly, impaired or distracted, I am increasing the risk of a life-altering injury or death to other roadway users and myself. This would not only affect the victims and me, but could affect their family and friends as well as my family and friends. I love my life and respect the lives of others; therefore, I am committed to being a safe and responsible driver.
Adapted and altered for motorcyclists from:
ForCarDrivers.com is a program established by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) to promote safe interaction among all roadway users