Accident at local fund raising ralley

[yechave]

Having to deal with a serious chimney leak this past weekend, we were not able to participate with the joint ralley hosted by three Harley dealerships. It was estimated that 3,000 riders participated, with the ride ending at Penn's Peak, with food, music and otherwise great time for most everyone.

 

The point of this post is, it was reported that a group of about 200 riders were all riding together, which first off makes no sense to me. In the process, a 79 yr old woman thought she saw a break in the group of riders, allowing her time to enter the highway.

 

A Harley rider, with passenger, no helmets, riding what appeared to be a sportster with no sidebags, crashbars or anything else, ended up laying the bike down and crashed into the womans car. Both riders were seriously injured and flown by helicopter to nearby hospitals. Cost for that ride, about $5k per person.

 

My question is, why would the sponsors allow a group of 200 riders to attempt to ride in one group?

 

I have never been with more than five or six riders at any time, so I have no idea what protocols are for a situation like this.

 

I am sure there were a number of contributing factors in this accident. Weather however, was not one of them.

 

Just curious what others might have to say about this. This accident was on Rt 443, Mahoning Twsp in Lehighton, Pa., should anyone have seen this in the news.

[tallman]

One of the reasons I donate, but don't ride these anymore.

I've personally had two incidents in charity rides where cage drivers forcefully insinuated their vehicle into the line of bikes just ahead of me.

Another reason I don't anymore is because I value my hearing and got tired of being subjected to other rider's ideas of what a motorcycle should SOUND like.

Hope these downed riders heal quickly.

[Marty Hill]

I wouldn't ride with 200 others but I doubt that the dealers could not "allow" them to ride. It is done all the time. I'm surprised that you have never seen anything like that. A good friend of mine owns a HD store about 50 miles from you. I would assume he was one of the 3 involved.

[SageRider]

Conditions vary and so does the size of a group of bikes.

In Los Angeles area, the "Love Ride" regularly brings at least 20 to 30 thousand motorcycles together for a charity group ride. Typically, the bikes are released in groups of between 500 and 1000 at a time.

Route is primarily via multi-lane freeway, but there is no doubt that crossing the lane the bikes are in can be difficult...

[steve404]

On the few somewhat frightening times that I’ve been in one on those long bike trains there have been pre-designated riders who would block the arterial roads. Watching those rider’s confrontations with the traffic that they had stopped was even more frightening than getting bumped by another rider.

Just like jumping out of airplanes, I did that then and probability won’t again.

[David]

On the few somewhat frightening times that I’ve been in one on those long bike trains there have been pre-designated riders who would block the arterial roads. Watching those rider’s confrontations with the traffic that they had stopped was even more frightening than getting bumped by another rider.

Just like jumping out of airplanes, I did that then and probability won’t again.

 

No kidding. I think it's totally rude to those of us NOT participating in the event to block traffic for the parade.

[SUCATI]

I don't see the point in riding in such a large group.

[Lets_Play_Two]

Every December there is a ride in South Florida for which officials close I95. I'm guessing 50,000 (but I could be way off). I guess I don't understand the need for all the second guessing here. If you don't like crowds, don't go to the mall

[drharveys]

The last time I went on the Bikers for Babies fund-raiser ride (for March of Dimes) it was the cops who blocked off cross traffic. Yes, it was an inconvenience to others, but they did keep it moving pretty quickly and over $100,000 was raised.

 

The other fund raiser I rode in last year was for the Arthritis foundation -- that one just had people riding in their own groups at their own pace.

 

Neither one seemed unsafe, and I ride with earplugs so the Harleys were muted.

[USAF1]

Man.....you should definately go to Bike Week in Daytona Beach...........

 

Pat

[smiller]

No kidding. I think it's totally rude to those of us NOT participating in the event to block traffic for the parade.

Is it even legal? Can any citizen unilaterally decide to block any road they choose simply because they want to make it easier for their event participants to pass?

[Agent_Orange]

I went a few years ago on the bike. Never again! Next time I go I will be in the 250 pickumup.

[Laura]

Don't know if you get Backroads magazine (www.backroadsusa.com) but Shira (editor) just wrote an article about this and I agree 100%. The article was about the road rage that cage drivers experience when they are sitting in their vehicles because the road has just been closed waiting for a large escorted group of charity riders to pass.

 

Shira's point is valid when she states that not only is a large group riding in a large tight group dangerous for riders for all sorts of reasons it causes anger towards motorcyclists in general. Why not give the group route sheets and let them head off in smaller groups all to meet at one designated spot. This would not only eliminate the need to close the road but would be safer for riders. It is hard enough to find a small group of riders that share your riding style nevermind ride in a group of strangers with varying degrees of styles and experience.

 

I couldn't agree more with her article; I'll be contributing to charities but won't ride in a herd.

[Vann]

Just noticed your right over the Blue Mtns. from me (New Tripoli) The ride went by my place but by then they were broken up into much smaller groups.

Hermy's open house is this Saturday starting @ 11. German music, free food & prizes. Also check out http://www.lvcbmwmoa.com/ For local BMW events.

 

Vann

[blkvelvt]

It really depends on who is putting on the ride and planning. I am on the Los Angeles "Ride for Kids" task force and we keep the entire group (800 participants) nose to tail with no breaks. Thr reason why we can do this is the 51 LEO's that volunteer their time for the kids. It's a 33 mile non-stop parade that the cagers have to "Deal with". As mentioned earlier, the LoveRide has tens of thousands in it. Planning for the event is key. I've ridden some events with terrible planning and didn't enjoy it at all.

[yechave]

I was just at Hermy's today. Surprised I did not see anything posted, no one mentioned it to me either. I was there for a long time. I think my companion is supposed to pick up her riding pants there this friday.

 

We have safety course at Blocker's Fri/Sunday this and next week. Have to see what we can fit in the schedule.

 

I was even looking at the pics from the last open house they had....

 

Very nice folks there.

 

Possibly we can meet at some point for a ride, depending on what you like to do.

 

We have been meeting my brother and mutual friend for rides on saturdays. My brother is diabetic, and can be a handful. My buddy works steady nights, and if he does not feel good, he won't ride. Only had the bike two weeks, but it has worked out well so far.

 

I would have liked to visit for the food and bands at Penn's Peak, not so much interested in the group ride. I find myself doing 100 miles a day, just running around.

 

Maybe see you at Hermy's on sat. Sure would like to stop in. I've met a lot of nice people at his shop.

 

cya

[scout6]

My wife and I ride our bikes in one big group ride each year. We ride in the Midnight Ride for JDF. Because it is a State Sponsered event, the police do the blocking and escorting. Of course, my accident avoidance systems are on even higher alert than riding in a convoy from Baghdad to Kuwait. It is fun, and it does look pretty cool at night (remember the fire worm from the 13th Warrior film?).

[harleyjohn45]

No kidding. I think it's totally rude to those of us NOT participating in the event to block traffic for the parade.

Is it even legal? Can any citizen unilaterally decide to block any road they choose simply because they want to make it easier for their event participants to pass?

 

sure it would be legal, ever hear of a permit. these things don't just happen, they are planned. we have a toy run in brevard county florida.(toys for tots) 15 to 20 thousand ride. now wouldn't it be something to send them off in groups of 5. this ride is escorted by the sheriff, and all side roads are blocked by abate members. i find the ride boring, because you are either stopped or going 70 mph. this ride has been going 25 years, i don't recall any accidents involving riders. malcolm forbes attended the first ride in 1981. actually jay leno committed a few years back to ride, but backed out at the last minute. i usually to to the shopping center where thay all line up, give my toys to the organizer, and before the ride i find me a good spot and watch them all go by.

[harleyjohn45]

another neat ride we have, is the christmas light ride (night ride), i only have seen about 50 or so on the ride, but they are always courteous. its a fun ride put on my the local harley dealer.

[smiller]

sure it would be legal, ever hear of a permit.

No, actually I haven't heard of a permit for private citizens to act as police officers. Please explain how it all works. Does the permit allow citizens to do traffic control? Do these individuals receive any formal training? Are they (and the city/county) indemnified against any legal issues arising out of their actions? Do they have any police powers to enforce their directions? I can think of any number of problematic issues caused by the guy who turned his bike sideways on the onramp in front of me and a line of cars last year and blocked traffic. Does the 'permit' address all of these contingencies? I'm interested in the mechanics of this...

[marcopolo]

We have a local charity ride here every spring, and its led by the city police's motorcycle squad. Given this is the capital city, these guys (and gals) are well practised in escorting VIP motorcades and jumping ahead and blocking side streets etc. After they have blocked a side street, they are replaced by ride participants, outfitted with Hi-Viz vests who are pre-positioned before the ride begins. What the legalities are is a good question, but it hasn't deterred the police from escorting this ride, nor the police chief from riding in it.

 

As a side note, it's called the "Ride For Dad" and it's devoted to raising funds for prostate cancer research. Obviously a cause that's of interest to many of the male riders. The event has begun to spread to other Canadian cities.

[harleyjohn45]

sure it would be legal, ever hear of a permit.

No, actually I haven't heard of a permit for private citizens to act as police officers. Please explain how it all works. Does the permit allow citizens to do traffic control? Do these individuals receive any formal

training? Are they (and the city/county) indemnified against any legal issues arising out of their actions? Do they have any police powers to enforce their directions? I can think of any number of problematic issues caused by the guy who turned his bike sideways on the onramp in front of me and a line of cars last year and blocked traffic. Does the 'permit' address all of these contingencies? I'm interested in the mechanics of this...

 

I'll find out and give you a reply. its not a private individual, its ABATE , a non profit and supported by the brevard county sheriffs dept. i'm heading to florida nov 1, and i will contact the organizer and get details. i'll post them here.

 

this event is already posted on the ABATE website and its scheduled for dec 2, 2007. its a 25 mile ride.

[bobbybob]

<<"its not a private individual, its ABATE , a non profit and supported by the brevard county sheriffs dept.>>"

 

ABATE....isn't that the bunch of geniuses that feel it's safer to ride without helmets?

[harleyjohn45]

the same ones.

[motorman587]

All I got to say is liability. I am in the works in putting together the opsplan for the Tallahassee Toys for Tots ride. We are going to have every intersection covered with an officer. What it comes down to is $$$ which will see if the sponcer will help pay, so it does not come out of the city's pocket, which in turns is taxpayers pocket. Also the event goer must have a $1,000,000 insurance policy for the city permit.