Safe street strategies

Having just read the book, "Ultimate Street Strategies - Riding Hard, Smart and Safe" (For Advanced Motorcyclists), by Pat Hahn, I think it appropriate to share my reactions and a few positive ideas that I picked up from the book. My first impression was that it was written by someone not necessarily more "expert" than most of us who have ridden seriously even just a few years. I wasn't sure if he was writing to beginner riders or assuming, as the title would imply, that we are all somewhere above that level. Suffice it to say that Hahn seemed inconsistent in addressing his target reader.

The basic structure of motorcycle safety, depicted as a pyramid, is sound. "Defensive Riding Strategy" provides a base upon which "Training and Skills" and "Riding Gear" are supported. “The Rider” is, of course, at the top, as it is he or she who ultimately controls all safety habits. Beyond that, there were few good points worthy of note beyond the normal safety suggestions such as “slow down!”

One of the unique suggestions that many riders don’t consider enough was to talk to people about motorcycling when you’re out for a day’s ride or just out with friends or family. The author suggests that we be "the motorcyclists your friends know," the idea being that the best public relations should come from people like us.

Another often overlooked idea that I found interesting in the book is to be more compassionate to those around us on the road. So often we think of ourselves and our bikes as targets of unthinking or careless drivers, but we can also fall into those categories if we’re not careful. Things like giving a rental moving truck a break (and some extra space and consideration) knowing that it is likely that the driver is making his once in a great while "big move" in an unfamiliar truck is the kind of thoughtfulness that we should be practicing. Thinking like this makes motorcyclists more integral parts of the traffic and not just targets that will be hit eventually. As anyone with common sense would advise, the book emphasizes the fact that the choices the rider makes are what determine the level of ever-present risk factors. Be prepared - mentally and physically each time you ride.