Ride for a reason; how you can make a difference while riding

January 27, 9:38 PMDC Motorcycle Travel ExaminerMark Poesch

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Yesterday, my wife caught an Allstate Insurance commercial featuring insurance agent Dean Akey.  Dean is the founder of Rescue Riders, a program he formed last year with the mission to "recruit, educate and organize bikers in support of each other, our communities and our nation.  We do this by helping provide bikers with the tools & training needed to provide emergency assistance in times of need."

"The Rescue Riders program was established to exemplify how bikers as individuals, and collectively, make our great nation a safer and more compassionate place to live.

We accomplish our mission by recruiting bikers into public service in support of each other, our communities and our nation.  We do this by helping provide our volunteers with the tools and training needed to provide emergency assistance in times of need.

Rescue Riders offer assistance on an individual basis as Good Samaritans, and directly support professional emergency response organizations in times of need.  Quite simply, Rescue Riders invest their time in helping those in need."

The first step to becoming a Rescue Rider is easy, just complete a simple online form, and review the materials provided on the site.  "At a minimum we require you to be certified in First Aid & CPR. You can earn your CPR & First Aid certification via the Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/, the American Heart Association at http://www.americanheart.org or may seek your training which may be offered via local educational institutions, community organizations or health care facilities."

Maryland, DC, and Virginia all have "Good Samaritan Laws" providing liability protection for the general public.  General guidance regarding liability protection is available on the site, along with full details provided via state-specific links: http://www.rescueriders.org/liability.html

As a Rescue Rider, you also have the opportunity to join the Ride for a Reason program. "The Ride for a Reason program helps connect our Rescue Rider volunteers with events that have expressed in interest in having support from the Rescue Riders...all folks with some level of training are able to help and provide aid so what are you waiting for...."

As the Training Pics on the site should make evident, this is not an endeavor for the squeamish or faint-of-heart.  But, if you're looking for a way to help those in need, and make a real difference, this is a terrific opportunity!