CHANGES TO AGWA SAFE DRIVING PROGRAM

Co-riders who meet the requirements are now eligible to participate in the AGWA Safe Driving Program.  First let’s determine who a Co-rider is: that would be the person who is usually really in charge that is riding behind the person who thinks they are the person in charge and usually tells their friends that the person who is usually in charge really knows who is in charge. 

Now in case that isn’t quite clear, any Co-rider who rides as a Co-rider 60% of the time or more qualifies for their own certificate on the Safe Driving Program.  Their certificates will be mailed out at the same time as the rider’s certificate.  Since they have to ride at least 60% of the time that mileage is being accumulated, there of course will be only one Co-rider per bike registered.  Co-rider certificates will have Co-rider on them, not to be confused with the regular rider certificates.  We will have to be on the honor system on this so I will have to depend on the drivers to keep the Co-riders honest, unless of course they fear repercussions from their actions.  Co-riders can be either your spouse, significant other, or even one of your kids if they are the one who rides with you and tries to keep you safe and notified of things happening around you.  Co-riders actually are critical to the operation of a motorcycle because if they make a mistake at the wrong time, it can end up in a crash or drop, which of course affects your standing in the safety program, not to mention broken bones and plastic and chrome.  Co-riders are also known to be responsible for most SPISS attacks when bikes are in motion.  SPISS attacks are “sudden pain in side syndrome”.  I know, I have personally experienced them myself while I was in charge. 

This is really just a way to recognize our Co-riders as an important part of the riding team and not leave them out, unless of course you are a lot braver than I am.  Please remember there is a narrow line between bravery and stupidity, bravery is when you stand up to a dangerous feat and succeed, and stupidity is when you fail and your friends are saying, now what in the world could they have been thinking?  It falls somewhere in between sleeping on the new couch while your better half is out shopping, and being caught sleeping on the new couch when they come home and catch you.  I know at least one AGWA member who treads this line quite often.  I have to wonder what he could be thinking.  I do hope he has good medical insurance. 

Anyone wishing to register for the Co-rider section of the Safety Program just needs to fill out the standard AGWA Safe Driving Program form, which is usually in each Wing of the Road.  Please list your name as you would like it to appear on your certificate.  If your rider is not registered for the program, please encourage them to register, or if not, be sure to fill in all of the information on the form.  This program, of course, will cost you nothing and is just one more thing that is part of what your membership in AGWA includes.  I will list my email address at the end of this article if anyone has any questions.

Now as you know we have had Safe Driving certificates, which are, black print and logos on gold parchment paper, and look right nice.  We are now also giving full color certificates, printed on a

white linen paper, at 25,000-mile intervals.  It is just a way of making your certificate displays stand out and recognizing your achievements.  George Ramsey became the recipient of the first of the new certificates at our recent Gold Classic Rally, presented by our AGWA President, Dee Marett, for making 225,000 miles without a major mishap.  Congratulations George!  At this time George has the highest mileage covered on my records.  

If you are on the program and have not sent in your forms lately, but have accumulated mileage, have lost your mileage form, etc., either fill out the form in the WOTR and send it in, or contact me and I will print and send you a new mileage form.  If you have covered more than the 5000-mile interval, just list your current mileage and I will get your certificates out to you for each level you have covered.  You can also scan and send in to my email address if that would be more convenient. 

Motorcycle riding is a dangerous sport so we try to keep your attention on safety as much as possible.  I also feel if we make it all business and no fun there would be no one who would want to ride.  Just stay as safe as humanly possible and have as much fun as you can, what more could you ask for.

Ride Safe

Vic Motley

AGWA Nat. Safety Director

P.O. Box 8062

Hermitage, TN. 37076-8062

viccdD@att.net

615-885-6824

Congratulations to:

George Ramsey-225,000 miles

Carl Oehler-120,000 miles

Joseph Lopez-45,000 miles

Larry Rosselot-5,000 miles

Welcome on Program to:

Don Oller-entry level

Stan Viets-entry level

Greg Schwartzmiller-entry level