LOOK TWICE AND SAVE A LIFE: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

LANSING, MI — Motorcyclists are a special breed.  It has to be in your blood to have a certain sense a freedom.  In the past, individuals were able to get on their horses and ride into the sunset.  The motorcycle has become the new “iron horse”.

 

Linda “Turtle” Mogyoros has been the chairperson of the Pride Ride for the past 15 years. Her first motorcycle was a 350 Honda in 1968 while serving in the U.S. Navy.  She has been motorcycle aficionado for the past 45 years. As a skilled trades journeyman in the late 90’s, she was invited to a General Motors (GM) sponsored motorcycle safety event in Lordstown, OH by other employees.  

 

Mogyoros said, “It was so exciting to see so many other motorcycle lovers at another GM plant. I spent two days there.  I was one of few women riding my own bike and not on the back of one.     My most memorable experience of that day was that we were able to ride inside the plant.  We rode up the ramp two by two and as soon as we got through the truck delivery door, we would rev the motors and the roar of the engines made the building shake.  It was my first time participating in something like that. I thought what if this moment of excitement and power could be given to people in the Lansing area.”

 

A seed was definitely planted after that life changing experience.   Mogyoros went to UAW Local 652 and discussed the idea and also floated the idea to the Mid Michigan Motorcyclist Association, which she is still a member of.  The association actually became instrumental in helping put together the first ride.

 

“The association members were the original committee. They were invaluable to the success of the first ride from implementation of the flyer to clean up the parking lot.  United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 652 hosted the event and provided us with a place to gather and experience the sound of the roar.  It gives me such goosebumps to thinks about how were have grown over the past 15 years,” lamented Mogyoros.

 

There was a desire to bring the union and management together. The need for camaraderie was necessary at the time. The GM plants in Lansing were in danger of closing.  There was a necessity for togetherness and to show how strong the Lansing area was in spite of the uncertainty that enveloped the city.   Their goal was to keep jobs in and bring more opportunities and to dispel the fear that many employees would lose their jobs and the city would lose one of the world’s largest car and truck manufacturers.

 

The Pride Ride was established in 2000 as a result of the desire of Mogyoros to get the five Lansing GM plants to work together.

 

Each year, Mogyoros tells the sponsors that they should support the event because they want to bring their employees back alive.  They also need to educate auto owners about being aware of the motorcyclist and the dangers they face.   Who better than to head such a task than those in the automotive industry she would ask. 

 

The ride was created to inform motorists of the seasonal return of motorcycle enthusiasts to Michigan’s highways.   The name comes from the participants being proud of their union, General Motors and their motorcycles. 

 

During the month of May, riders are cleaning and tuning their motorcycles in preparation for being a part of the scenery.  

 

“Only when you ride a motorcycle are there no boundaries. You can smell and feel all around you. You are a part of the landscape. You are not watching a movie, you are a part of it. Every single frame makes you feel so alive. It is a whole different experience from driving a car, especially when the windows are rolled up,” said Mogyoros. 

 

Motorcycle Safety  Awareness Month is used to encourage motorcyclist to be careful on the road but moreso to educate motorists on recognizing motorcyclists.  The objective of the campaign is to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities.  

 

Motorists are encouraged to always be aware of motorcycles, especially at intersections, when performing lane changes or passing other vehicles.  Be mindful that motorcycles can oftentimes be hidden in your blind spot.  Due to their smaller size, motorcycles may also be easily overlooked in the traffic flow, especially if traffic is heavy or the driver is in a hurry.  

 

There are also other dangers such as motorist who throw trash or cigarettes out the window.

 

Mogyoros said, “This month is so much more than what is normally distributed to the public. There are so many things that drivers do not understand about motorcyclists. If you are a litterer not only are you impacting the beauty of the environment, you may also play a role in seriously injuring a motorcyclist.  There was a motorcyclist whose beard caught on fire from a discarded cigarette.  His burns were so serious that he was never able to ride again.”

 

Motorists should to be especially alert at intersections and when making a left turn to insure that a motorcycle is not coming straight through.  

 

Most motorcyclists use hand signals, as well as, conventional turn signals.   Motorists need to share the road and remember that a motorcycle is entitled to a full lane.  Keeping a safe distance from the motorcycle allows the operator the opportunity to maneuver the motorcycle to avoid road hazards or other traffic conditions.

 

This was almost the last year for this ride Mogyoros emotionally stated.  She believes that it is time for her to move on to other interests in her life.  She states that she will always be in love with the allure of the freedom motorcycles give.  However, the event it is set to continue in the future.

 

Over the years there have been thousands of people involved in Pride Ride.  Law enforcement has always had a role to play as well.  They are in vehicles to protect the participants and as a part of the ride themselves on motorcycles. 

 

“We could not do this without the police departments.  They have been wonderful with their support.  From the beginning, Eaton County Delta Township Sheriff, Jon VanCore, has been with us,” Mogyoros stated.

 

After a pause to dry tears, she continued, “Without the involvement of the Lansing Police Department, Sergeant Leigh Curtis, East Lansing Police Department, Michigan State Police, Michigan State University Police Department and so many others who have helped over the years from law enforcement, it would not have been as successful.”

 

She also stated that in the past few years they have invited all of the other unions to join the ride in solidarity.   Local 665 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers – IBEW), Local 333 (Plumbers and Pipefitters), UAW Local 6000 (Michigan State employees), UAW 724 and UAW 602 have also joined in over the years. 

 

Mogyoros said, “It has been an amazing 15 years for the original committee members.  We are all retiring together, just as we came in together and just as we rode to together.  We will pass the ability to “roar” on and empower the hands of the younger generation.

 

This was printed in the April  19, 2015 – May 2,  2015 edition.