MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS AND YOU

Mayor Barbara Lohr of Jackson Missouri presenting the 2013 Motorcycle Awareness Proclamation to Freedom of Road Riders State Chairman Martin King, Local 16 member Rhonda Weston and Local 16 Central Committee Representative Melanie Coy.

For a number of years the motorcycle rights organizations around the State of Missouri have held rides in an effort to promote May as Motorcycle Awareness Month. With pending legislation in Jefferson City the need for annual Proclamation runs may become a thing of the past.

Senator Kurt Schaefer (R-19) introduced SB72 in December 2012 which would officially amend the Missouri statutes designating May as Motorcycle Awareness month in Missouri. This legislation has been referred to the Missouri House of Representatives and would in essence encourage motorcyclists to engage in activities that would raise awareness of the special challenges faced by riders on Missouri's roadways.

In answer to this annual movement toward enhancing the safety of motorcyclists, Freedom of Road Riders, Local 16-Cape Girardeau began circulating Proclamations among local and county government agencies gaining support for Motorcycle Awareness. With the first signature from Mayor Steve Loucks of Chaffee Missouri, the official efforts to encourage Southeast Missouri's drivers to Look Twice, Save a Life began. These efforts have continued throughout the area with ceremonies and support coming from Chaffee, Scott City, Jackson and Perryville as well as Scott County.

The effort to gain awareness of motorcycles has been mirrored by the appearance of the bright yellow signs seen in the yards of homes and businesses to bumper stickers on vehicles both private and governmental. These highly visible reminders to Watch for Motorcycles are part of the Missouri Department of Transportation's Arrive Alive-Save MO Lives campaign. All awareness items including signs, bumper stickers and window decals can be obtained from local Missouri Department of Transportation offices or any member of Freedom of Road Riders.

The official kick off of this campaign will begin on April 30, 2013 in Jefferson City with a parade to the Capitol beginning at 12:30 pm. This will be followed by the presentation of Proclamations from around the State of Missouri during a ceremony on the front lawn. This will be the 14th Annual Mike Sloan Memorial Motorcycle Awareness and You Rally. All motorcyclists from around the state are encouraged to show their support for these efforts to raise awareness of motorcycles and insure all riders arrive home safely.

For more information on motorcycle safety, awareness and education Freedom of Road Riders can be found online www.forr.net or through the general office 1-800-309-RIDE, email go@forr.net.