Safety Report

by Gary Klinker

I would like to start this month with a big welcome to our newest Rider Coach on the Safe Rider team. Savannah Rose finished the grueling Rider Coach Prep classes and is now certified. Actually, the process started over a year ago. She has attended BRC and BRC2 classes. We then had her shadow our classes and worked with her to ride demos-she is already a very good rider. We plan to get her working right away. Welcome Savannah!

We still have a few seats left in the July Skills Practice BRC2. Sign up now since this will be our last one for the year. There have been extra seats added to the July 27/28 3-Wheel Can-am BRC. This is a license waiver class for a three-wheel license. There are also discount coupons available while they last. This brings the cost down to $49 for the class. Act fast to take advantage of this deal.

We are still looking for someone who can do the artists rendering of what a new Safe Rider facility would look like. If you have the talent, or know someone who does, please contact me.

Since my last report I had the opportunity to attend the MRF Bikers in the Beltway lobby day in Washington DC. The ride out was kind of wet-most of the way across Ohio. With over 150 bikes in attendance the ride to the capitol and back was very organized and safe-led by our own Dave Dwyer. Washington traffic is pretty nasty for someone who lives out in the woods. Many of those who attended were long time MRF members from around the country that I have known for years. It is always good to see them again. Our Wisconsin delegation had appointments with all eight of our Congressional offices and with our two US Senators. We were well received and accomplished a lot for the day. We got additional signers for the profiling resolution, got new members for the congressional motorcycle caucus, and educated the offices about E15 gasoline problems. We also expressed our concerns about self-driving cars not recognizing motorcycles on our highways. One big surprise for me was when I found out that one of the staffers for a Wisconsin congressman that we were meeting with was a young lady from Tomah. We hit it off right away.

Mark your calendars for the Region 7D Firecracker Run on August 17. It is an observation and raffle run designed for fun and safety. It is a great ride in the country, a chance to win a raffle drawing, and it is not a big group ride. Make it whatever you want. Check the information in this Newsletter. It starts at the ABATE office in Black River Falls. I hope to see many of you there. Until then get out and enjoy our riding season and be careful out there.

Ride Safe,

Gary