My wife, who is never wrong, and Axiom 2000 (Jerry Mullins) one of our early volunteers, said that I need to tell prospective volunteers about myself. I am asking for their time, expertise, personal information (address, telephone number, e-mail address) and they know nothing about me.
First I am experienced (old - 68). I have been riding motorcycles since 1954 - if you count my Whizzer motorbike days. I love riding! Due to Ron Ayres' darn book "Against the Wind", I became interested in long distance riding. I never felt capable or dedicated enough to try the Iron Butt Rally, but I have participated in Iron Butt rides (1500 mile BBG, 50 CC, Great Lakes Challenge) and Four Corners and BMW's 100,000 mile award. I am now trying to smell more of the roses when I ride. My current bike is a 2008 BMW K1200GT.
Last years ride was across northern Canada via the Yellowhead Highway to Jasper and Banff. Down through Glacier, Yellowstone and to the BMW MOA Rally in Gillette, WY. This years ride is to both the BMW RA and MOA Rallies and then off to the Gaspe Peninsula and Nova Scotia.
I took an early retirement from Westinghouse in 1995, where we designed and produced undersea weapon systems. I was responsible for the quality and reliability of our torpedoes. I have an Executive MBA and for the last 14 years have run my own consulting business. I develop quality systems (ISO 9000, nuclear, automotive, and medical) for small businesses. If the economy hadn't tanked, I would have been totally retired.
I am very disappointed with the state of our highway system relative to motorcycle safety. Year after year I see the same hazards, and in some cases they are getting worse (more deer, more tires and wide white lines).
I do not like seeing tire carcasses lying in the middle of most highways - when for the price of a truck tire, you can purchase tire pressure monitoring for 36 wheels.
I do not like slippery white/yellow lines and tar snakes when non-slippery line material is available.
I do not like my friends hitting deer as the herds increase in size, when herd reductions can be as simple as extending the hunting season.
I approached the AMA twice with proposals to address the above and other highway hazards, and received the polite response that this was too large of a task for them to address. I received a similar response from another national MC organization. The MSF is currently evaluating proposals I sent to them for potential funding to support the actions I am proposing on the web site: http://mcroadsafety.com.
I do not walk on water, nor do I have all the answers, but I am very confident that collectively our community has all the resources/talent necessary to significantly reduce these unnecessary hazards that have killed and injured our fellow riders. If no one else will care-we must! Maybe now may be a good time to give something back to our wonderful sport?
Larry Cardo
Mentor, OH
440-255-5989