Fallen Officer Ride????? Food for thought...

[danriveros]

When I used to live in Utah USA, we (Honda club & Harley D.) used to have a special ride to collect funds to help families of fallen officers. Now I wonder if it would be a good idea to have something similar here to ease steam due to the latest legislation laws in Queensland. It was very cool to have the company of police officers in front and back of our formation so we could "break" every traffic law such as red lights, stop signs, etc. We used to have about 1000 riders showing up for the event.

What do you think?

Funny event: In one of these rides, we had a small accident and one of the riders fell off her bike. I helped the police officer with first aid until ambulance arrived. After the rider was taken to the hospital, I was asked by the officer if I wanted to go with him to catch up to the formation. I agreed and off we went... he asked me to try to keep up with him and to flash my light to let people know that I was going with him (he was flashing his reds and blues). We reached 150 miles per hour (about 240 km/hr) on the freeway (I was riding my Honda Valkyrie). I must said; it was very cool!


Link to a video of the ride

Utah Fallen Officer Ride - 2013

 

[StinkyPete]

Hi Danriveros.   This is a great idea, but it already happens every year.   The Wall to Wall Ride, goes from every state, to the Police Memorial Wall in Canberra, and attracts huge numbers of riders.    Here's a link to the Wall to Wall web site.    http://www.walltowallride.com/
The National Memorial in Canberra commemorates Australian Police Officers who have been killed on duty, or have died as a result of their duties.

[danriveros]

Great to know... I thought I heard something about it last year but I was not sure. Thanks for the link 

[Biggles]

Love the protective gear on the riders on the rights at 45 seconds!     

"It won't happen to me..."

[danriveros]

No helmet or protective gear is required in Utah.

This is an interesting article about the issue between wearing or not protective gear http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865556992/Motorcycle-helmet-debate-in-Utah-Freedom-vs-safety.html?pg=all

By the way, I almost never wore a helmet in while riding in Utah.

[Biggles]

Interesting to read the reasons given:

"It impairs your vision and it impairs your hearing and it fatigues you," James Parker, a service manager at Harley-Davidson Buell, said. "If you go riding 500 miles in a day and you have that helmet all day long, you're getting tired."

I can't agree with that.  For me, the helmet provides a cosy chamber in winter and a relatively wind-free room in summer.

There are currently three states in the nation that do no have any sort of motorcycle helmet law: Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia require helmet usage for all motorcycle riders.

Utah is one of 18 states that requires helmets only for those under 18. One state (Delaware) requires helmets for those under 19 and eight states mandate helmet-usage for riders under 21. Florida has a law that allows those 21 and older to ride without a helmet if they have at least a $10,000 medical insurance policy.

Florida (and Michigan) are virtually admitting you will need more medical treatment after crashing without a helmet.

I know it's all about personal freedom in the States, but some protective gear seems sensible, to say the least.

[danriveros]

I know that the statement "It impairs your vision and it impairs your hearing and it fatigues you," may sound very strange for someone that is used to wear a helmet most of his life... however, for someone that almost never wore a helmet it takes a lot to get used to.

I personally would prefer not to wear one.

[Marcus]

but... but... but... what about all those bugs and dust and dirt, and other hard objects like roads and cars and such

[Biggles]

but... but... but... what about all those bugs and dust and dirt, and other hard objects like roads and cars and such

That's why they wear a bandana!

[danriveros]

and don't forget goggles... 

[STeveo]

but... but... but... what about all those bugs and dust and dirt, and other hard objects like roads and cars and such

That's why they wear a bandana!

To soak up the blood from being hit by a big insect.