News

Motorcyclists revving up for third 'See Me, Save Me' ride

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The third "See Me, Save Me" motorcycle safety ride set for Thursday will carry its message to a wider audience. 

In the previous two rides, one held last fall and another held this spring, the riders basically stayed in Warner Robins. This time, however, they are making a trek to Perry, Fort Valley and Byron before returning to Robins.

The reason for expanding the ride is simple, said Donn Johnson, senior motorcycle safety instructor at Robins.

"The ride is for the community, and Perry, Fort Valley and Byron are part of this community," he said. "We are expanding 'See Me, Save Me' to those who may not have knowledge of it in the past."

The purpose of the ride is to show motorists how many people are riding motorcycles. The hope is that by making people aware of the prevalence of motorcycles, motorists will be more likely to check twice when scanning to make lane changes or other maneuvers in traffic.

Mr. Johnson said the concern is that when motorists are looking only for large vehicles, they might miss smaller vehicles such as motorcycles because they didn't look carefully enough.

And the message goes beyond just motorcycles, he said.

"This is not just an opportunity to highlight motorcycles; but to change (drivers) search patterns to look at all different types, including bicycles and pedestrians," he said.

The day will also include information on motorcycles being handed out to those coming in the gates from 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. At 9 a.m. motorcyclists participating in the ride are asked to meet at Robins Motorcycle Training Range at Pave Paws, located at the end of March Banks Drive. At 9:15 a.m. there will be a safety briefing and at 9:30 a.m. the ride will begin. Approximately 300 motorcyclists are expected to attend.

After making a trek through the base, the riders go off base under police escort. They will go through Warner Robins, Perry, Fort Valley, Byron and Warner Robins again before ending the ride at the Museum of Aviation, where lunch will be served.

Mr. Johnson said the ride will continue to be each spring and fall. He believes it is making a difference in getting the message out.

"When I talk to different people, they say seeing all of those bikes makes them realize how many folks are out there on bikes," he said. "That's why it's important to have as many people as we can on the ride."