Motorcycle Awareness I-55 Coffee Break

May is Motorcycle Awareness month and once again the local Goldwing Road Riders Association (GWRRA), Chapter I of Jackson, Missouri will host a free coffee break at the I-55 rest stop. Hot coffee, cool lemonade and cookies will be available to travelers at the rest stop between Oak Ridge and Fruitland this Memorial Day weekend on Saturday only beginning at 6:00 a.m. for southbound travelers.

This is the thirteenth year that Roger Riley, the current Motorcycle Awareness Coordinator (M.A.D.) for Chapter I, has coordinated this public service effort. The coffee break is an opportunity for the motorcyclists to visually promote the fact that people driving the highways and byways of America need to be aware that motorcycles are everywhere. It is also an opportunity for drivers, friends and family to take a refreshing stretch with a free, rejuvenating cup of coffee or lemonade so that they can continue their trip safely and more alert.

"I was t-boned by an inattentive driver once," said Riley." "Believe me, after dealing with cracked ribs, pain medications and the medical bills, I never want to be t-boned again." The first thing the young driver said after hitting Riley's shiny, red touring motorcycle, dragging it up the roadway, and knocking Riley to the pavement was, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't see you."

"Our slogan is "Start Seeing Motorcycles"," said Riley, who has been riding motorcycles since the '60's and has over 500,000 miles of riding under his belt. "This coffee break is an opportunity for our Chapter participants to display their motorcycles, comfortably interact with the motoring public and provide refreshments so they can continue their journey more alert. We want everyone to start seeing motorcycles."