Rally for motorcycle safety

Over the next week, more than 500,000 riders are expected to flood the highways and crowd the streets of numerous towns, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy. 

A near-constant drone of bikes throughout the region should remind drivers of increased road risks. With the influx of traffic, frequent accidents, dozens of injuries and multiple fatalities annually, it’s easy for drivers to blame the motorcyclists. However, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, when motorcycles and other vehicles collide, it is usually the other (non-motorcycle) driver who violates the motorcyclist’s right-of-way. 

We checked in with some of our Sanford Underground Research Facility (Sanford Lab) motorcycle enthusiasts to hear what they have to say about motorcycle safety:

“I wear reflective clothing and a real attention getter—a helmet with tiger ears and a tail,” said David Rynders, experiment health and safety manager. “I get honked at and given the thumbs up, sometimes kids in the backseat of a car will yell ‘Mom! Look at the tiger biker!’ Then her eyes move from the GPS to seeing me. I win by not getting run over and the kids get a laugh.”

“As a rider, I always let someone know where I am going and my expected time of return,” said Pete Girtz, operation technical support. “For drivers, my advice is to have patience. Riders come from all over the world to ride the Black Hills, and I’ve seen them do some pretty wild things because of their unfamiliarity with the area—including driving down the wrong-way on one-way streets and stopping in the middle of the road to take a picture of a buffalo—so please have patience.”

“Awareness. Always. When I'm on the bike, I need to be aware of every vehicle around me, their speeds, their possible actions ten seconds from now, the road condition, the integrity of the road surface 100 feet ahead, upcoming turns, upcoming traffic and, most importantly, how well other vehicles can see me,” shared Mark Hanhart, experiment support scientist.

As drivers continue their daily routes during the Rally, remember:

• Check your blind spots. Then check them again. Train your eyes to scan for smaller vehicles. 
• Allow 3 to 4 seconds of following distance. Motorcyclists often slow down by downshifting or rolling off the throttle; their brake light will not always indicate reduced speeds. 
• Share the road. Motorcyclists adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles and wind. 
• There are more than 500,000 more drivers on the road this month. Put the phone down, focus on the road and don’t be a distracted driver.

Motorcyclists enjoying the Rally should know that, amidst the fun, there are increased risks to their safety.  

• To return home safely, wear the additional protective gear. The State of South Dakota requires all riders under the age of 18 to wear a helmet that has been approved by the South Dakota Department of Transportation. They also require a motorcycle operator to wear an eye protective device unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen of sufficient height and design that protects the motorcycle operator. 
  Even if you are over 18 years of age, wearing a helmet reduces your risk of injury should a crash occur. Never use a helmet that was worn during a crash, as microfractures could render it useless in another incident. 
• Be a capable operator. The curving highways, graveled backroads and unpredictable wildlife of the Black Hills can be difficult to navigate. Knowing how to adjust to these hazards is a must for visitors. 
• Always assume drivers do not see you. Be aware of blind spots and use correct signals. 
• Don’t drink and ride. According to the 1981 Hurt Report—the largest study ever conducted on motorcycle accident causation—alcohol is a factor in 50 percent of all bike wrecks.

The Environmental, Safety and Health, and Quality Assurance Department at Sanford Underground Research Facility promotes health and safety in the workplace, as well as healthy living and wellness for all employees. If you have questions about health and wellness, please contact our occupational health nurse, Laura Baatz, who is onsite daily at lbaatz@sanfordlab.org.