May 4th 2012 International Female Ride Day
International Female Ride Day is a campaign for women motorcyclists with the sole purpose of highlighting and profiling the female motorcycle rider. Its mission is that of building and underlining broad-spectrum (and public) awareness of female motorcyclists while simultaneously encouraging other women to take up the activity; demonstrating the ease of the activity.
The event shines a spotlight on women motorcyclists and includes just one request which is “JUST RIDE”. It’s a globally synchronized day for and of female motorcycle riders everywhere! A day aiming to emphasize the many numbers of female’s who ride motorcycles; supporting their diversities, agelessness, limitless abilities and the enjoyment women embrace in the activity of motorcycling.
International Female Ride Day was created with three main principles outlined to maintain clarity of the campaigns intentions. As follows:
1. FREEDOM – Women are free to participate and enjoy the day in any manner preferred, desired or defined. This ensures the unification of women riders internationally, and of all motorcycling disciplines.
2. OPEN GOOD WILL- Many motorcycle ride day events are commonly partnered with a charity or good cause. International Female Ride Day will not infringe upon this freedom therefore not combining a global charity partner to this campaign. This allows participants to create their own cause or Incorporate activities around their current choice charity organisations. This campaign will not influence that preference and ensure women maintain the independence of choice. It is a fact however that MOTORESS is partnered with charity “Look Good Feel Better” and may involve or include activities during this campaign.
3. BRANDING – International Female Ride Day is to remain purely a campaign dedicated to promoting women and motorcycling. It will not be associated or is to be taken over by a single motorcycle manufacturer or similar motivated body (i.e. sponsorship). This ensures women riders choice of using any manufacturer’s make or model to enjoy equal participation. We do encourage all motorcycle brands, makes and models; the industry at large to get involved!
Allstate Installs Permanent Warning Signs to Promote Motorcycle Safety at Dangerous Intersections
NORTHBROOK, Ill., May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — In an effort to help standardize warning signs for motorcycle safety and help reduce the number of motorcycle crashes at intersections involving other vehicles, Allstate Insurance Company announced today plans to permanently install motorcycle warning signs in more than 30 U.S. cities this year. Currently, there is no standard sign for motorcycle awareness.
The yellow, diamond shaped warning sign was created following two years of development, which included 140 temporary installations in various U.S. cities between 2010 and 2011. The signs were designed to establish a standardized warning device that can be used by any local or state agency and would be recognizable to riders and motorists across the country. Simply reading, “Watch for Motorcycles,” the sign was developed by Allstate as part of its “Once is Never Enough” (ONE) program – an awareness campaign that encourages people to look twice for motorcycles at intersections.
“Allstate set out to create a standardized warning sign to help increase motorcycle safety at dangerous intersections,” said Keith Rutman, vice president of Allstate’s Consumer Household unit. “As more and more of the ‘Watch for Motorcycles’ signs are installed across the country, we hope that riders and motorists will familiarize themselves with the message and remember to always look twice at intersections, because once is never enough.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 46 percent of all multi-vehicle crashes occur at intersections, oftentimes as a result of a vehicle turning left, impeding the motorcyclist’s right-of-way.
“Every day in the U.S., an average of three motorcyclists are killed at intersections in crashes that involve other vehicles, and that’s unacceptable,” Rutman said.
Through its ONE program, Allstate works with local traffic authorities to identify dangerous intersections for riders and then donates and installs warning signs at the determined locations to increase awareness of motorcycles.
To kick off National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (May), the first permanent installation of the “Watch for Motorcycles” warning signs will take place today in Atlanta. Working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Allstate is donating and installing the warning signs to help prevent motorcycle crashes at dangerous intersections in the future. Additional signs will be installed in other cities across the country throughout the year.
Allstate is also encouraging people throughout the month of May to take the ONE Pledge – committing to look twice for motorcycles at intersections – and share with at least ONE other person to spread the message. For every pledge shared, Allstate will donate ONE dollar toward the creation and installation of more “Watch for Motorcycles” signs at dangerous intersections across the country. To take the ONE Pledge and help make our roads a safer place to ride, visit Facebook.com/AllstateMotorcycle.
American comedian and actor Bill Engvall will also join Allstate in its quest to protect riders and help spread a motorcycle awareness message. Best known for his work as a member of the Blue Collar Comedy group, Engvall has partnered with Allstate after experiencing firsthand how important motorcycle awareness is for all drivers.
“As a person who’s had someone very close to me involved in a serious motorcycle crash and as a rider myself, I jumped at the chance to work with Allstate on this important campaign,” said Bill Engvall. “I’ve made a living making jokes about signs of the obvious, but here’s one sign that carries a vital message and is no laughing matter.”
Now in its fourth year, Allstate’s ONE program has evolved from general motorcycle awareness education, to installing temporary warning signs at dangerous intersections in more than 30 cities over the past two years, to the permanent installations of the new warning signs promoting motorcycle safety.
Allstate will continue to work with local departments of transportation across the country to identify dangerous intersections and donate and install additional signs in the future.
About Allstate The Allstate Corporation (ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. As part of Allstate’s commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.
AMA Debuts Seminar List for 2012 AMA IWMC
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce the first group of seminar offerings at the 2012 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference. The conference will take place July 26-29 in Carson City, Nev.
In keeping with the conference theme of “Ride Well,” the seminar lineup includes topics that promote safety, health, awareness and preparation.
“We are thrilled to announce the first part of our exciting seminar lineup,” said the AMA’s Tigra Tsujikawa, who is organizing the conference. “Seminars are always one of the most popular activities at the AMA International Woman & Motorcycling Conference, and the women conducting these seminars all have a true passion for sharing their expertise.”
The seminars include:
• Get involved: How You Can Protect Your Rights To Ride And Race. Hosted by Jessica Irving, AMA grassroots coordinator, and 2011 AMA Motorcyclist of the Year Nancy Sabater.
• Women In The Business Of Motorcycling. Hosted by Jenny Lefferts, president and founder of MAD Maps.
• The Best of Motorcycling Tips, Tricks and Techniques. Hosted by Diane Ortiz, president of the Big Apple Motorcycle School.
• The History of Women in Motorcycling, and Women of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Hosted by author and Hall of Fame member Cris Sommer-Simmons.
• How to Pack & Eat Healthy for the On-the-Road Motorcyclist. Hosted by health and fitness consultant Debbie Voss.
• The Power of PINK: Aligning Power, Integrity, Negotiation & Knowledge. Hosted by personal growth and performance consultant Eldonna Fernandez.
In addition to the seminar lineup, the 2012 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference will also feature a health fair, where women can get a variety of health screenings such as mammograms and cholesterol and blood pressure checks. Conference participants will also have the opportunity to donate blood.
“Riding well means many things to women motorcyclists,” said Tsujikawa. “In a broader, more philosophical sense, it is also a call-to-action to be supportive members of our riding community.”
Through April 30, AMA members can rack up significant savings through AMA member-only pre-registration, which offers a discounted price of $125 to attend the conference. After April 30, the fee for AMA members increases to $175, and registration opens for non-AMA members. Attendees can register now here: events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=vw9ldxbab&oeidk=a07e5b2rc65a3dc83f3
“In addition to the dozens of benefits we already enjoy as AMA members, the conference adds yet another,” Tsujikawa said. “With a non-member registration rate starting at $235, a $49 AMA membership not only pays for itself, but opens the door to anyone who wants to take advantage of the early registration discount.”
Included in the registration fee to the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference is entry to seminars, the marketplace and moto action center, the Saturday Women’s Health Fair, priority registration for manufacturer demo rides, the Friday night cookout and Saturday night Closing Celebration banquet, as well as a conference t-shirt and gift bag.
Full conference details, as well as info on how to become an AMA member, are available at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Events > Women & Motorcycling.
Harley-Davidson dealers supporting new 7,000-mile motorcycle rally in June
A.D. Farrow Harley-Davidson in Columbus/Sunbury, Ohio, is helping to launch a new 7,000-mile, nine-day motorcycle rally which this year will benefit a children’s hospital network.
Held June 13 through 23, the American Motorcycle Rally “will not only test a rider’s stamina and endurance, but the mental capacity to follow directions and digest information during the event. Riders will encounter some of the most beautiful scenery in the world; from desert to vast mountain ranges, incredible coast lines, plateaus and scenic farmland that define the United States,” it was announced.
The ride will start and end at A.D. Farrow H-D, a longtime Top 100 dealership, and is open to all riders, riding any stock manufactured motorcycle or trike. GPS devices from ArrowTrack will be attached to each rider and motorcycle, allowing enthusiasts to track their favorite riders via the rally’s website. Cost to register is $1,000 plus $250 for the GPS device.
“With $500,000 in cash and prizes, including motorcycles and other valuable merchandise the rally will be sure to draw some attention,” organizers said. Single riders are eligible to compete for the cash and prizes, according to the rally’s website.
The American Motorcycle Association has granted a charter membership to and officially sanctioned the rally. “This is a great first step for us” said AMR president Greg Sarff.
Other dealer sponsors include Harley Haven from Columbia, S.C.; McGuire Harley-Davidson in Walnut Creek, Calif.; and Peterson’s Harley-Davidson of Miami, Fla. A.D. Farrow, it’s worth noting, is celebrating its 100th anniversary starting in June.
The 2012 ride will donate all proceeds to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, one of the country’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric health care networks.
Florida-based ROAR Motorcycles expands to Pacific Northwest
ROAR Motorcycles Inc. is running for the border. The company founded in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 2008 is spreading its female-centric concept to Canada.
The company sold the licensing rights to use the ROAR Motorcycles name and sell its products in the Seattle, Wash., and Vancouver, Canada, area. The new business will be known as West Coast ROAR, owned by Greer Stewart and Joley Baker.
West Coast ROAR will initially launch a riding school, establish a ROAR Sisterhood Association and offer riding tour packages through the Pacific Northwest. Later phases will include a boutique and dealership, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
