TULLY — As has become tradition each May, members of the MA-2 Chapter of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club gather during Motorcycle Awareness Month for a Skills Day to “get their wheels under them” for the ensuing riding season. The Orange Fire Department’s Tully Station was the site for this year’s recent event, which saw a dozen participants on a variety of two- and three-wheeled motorcycles practicing their skills.
Hundreds of half tennis balls delineated roadways, orange cones clearly denoted the transition from the parking lot course to the public roadway. Chalked instructions showed direction of travel, where traffic would be, and even shouted out an EMERGENCY STOP! Tight turns were worked into the course, and there was a spot to practice smooth starts.
Motorcyclists, many of whom have been riding for decades, repeated the course several times in order to refresh skills that were a bit rusty after the long winter and wet spring months. Those with new motorcycles also had a chance to learn some of the idiosyncrasies of their new ride.
In addition to the parking lot course, members tried out some “impairment goggles” on loan from U-Mass Amherst’s safety division. The goggles imitated the visual disturbances one might see while under the influence, or when they’re drowsy, and following a concussion. Once-simple tasks were not so simple while wearing the goggles.
Members attempted to walk along straight lines, toss and catch whiffle balls, pick up coins off the floor and shuffle a deck of cards. There was lots of laughter as people stumbled and missed their targets by a wide berth, but the goggles made it abundantly clear: no one with those visual disturbances could be considered safe on a motorcycle — or behind the wheel of any vehicle.
“Look Twice – Save a Life” is the 2019 Motorcycle Awareness Month theme, and a message that’s important for both motorcycle riders and those with whom they share the roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, despite the fact motorcyclists made up less than 1 percent of miles driven, they represented 15 percent of traffic deaths in 2012; more than 4,000 people have died each year in motorcycle collisions in the past two decades, and in 2007, and 2008, there were more than 5,000 deaths each year.
The most common scenario involving a motorcycle vs. car collision is turning across a lane in front of the other. It is not unusual for the driver of a four-wheeled vehicle to report, “I never even saw them!”
Looking twice is a message this group of motorcycling firefighters, all certified First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians, or Paramedics, want all motorists to take to heart. While they ride motorcycles, and drive four-wheeled vehicles, they have rescued victims of motorcycle crashes. They’ve also grieved the deaths of members who have died in crashes.
Participants in the 2019 Skills Day included Club President Kevin Martin, FD (ret.) of Ashburnham; Secretary and Orange Firefighter Jeff Hamberg; Treasurer Robert F. Laford, FD (ret.) of Petersham; Road Captain Bob Shakarian, FD (ret.) of Shirley; Jim Skehan, FD (ret.) of Westminsters; Ed Brouillet, FD (ret.) and Social Member Peggy Brouillet, RN of Westminster; Social Member Laura Normandin of Ashburnham; Social Member Charlie Hamberg of Orange; and Junior member Mathew Hamberg of Orange.
The MA 2 Chapter is a combination social/benevolent organization that welcomes motorcycle-riding fire service personnel and their families. It is a part of an international organization with 300 chapters, and 9,000 members. This Chapter, with 70 members, covers the North Quabbin and Montachusett regions, inclusive of most communities along the Route 2 corridor, from Route 91 to Route 495.
Members in the active category are currently working or retired from career, volunteer, call, military, or industrial firefighting. Social members — often spouses or children of active members — and a certain percentage associate members are permitted. There are many law enforcement and EMS personnel who participate in events. Non-members willing to adhere to safe motorcycling practices are welcome to accompany the Red Knights on most rides.
For more information on the Red Knights, visit the local Chapter’s website, www.rk-mass2.org, speak with any member, or contact Secretary Jeff Hamberg at jhamberg@rk-mass2.org.