Reason #1,300,394 why motorcyclists should wear gear.

(Photo credit: HFL.com)

I love reader emails. I got this lovely note from a reader recently and had to share this article he mentioned. Thanks TH!

Hi Joanne,

Love your segments on Wheelnerds and Pace podcasts.  Please keep up the very informative + timely info. 

Anyways, thought you may like this article from HFL and maybe reference it next time on the Pace (perhaps even a link on your site)

I liked it 'cause you rarely see such a detailed review of gear and how it worked after rolling along the tarmac.

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2012/02/this-is-the-city-gear-that-saved-my-life/

(make sure you view their article in Full Site mode if you're on a mobile phone, as the article is blocked unless you view the full site)

This is indeed a very good article about how even basic street gear can save your body parts from serious injury.  Normally, HFL closes articles after a certain period of time (12 hours) unless you're a paid subscriber. But luckily, they decided to keep this one open permanently, given how important the message is. 

 

Motorcycle Gear and Body Armor for Kids

Looking for small body armor options for your kids? It's hard to find gear for them, let alone body armor (except dirt/offroad styles).

Forcefield makes some of the best body armor. They also make a fantastic back protector for women.  To see the full line of products offered by Forcefield, check their website. To order Forcefield products, go to Johnson Leathers' in San Francisco who are the distributors in North America.

Here are a few companies that make a variety of street gear for kids:

Alpinestars - Dirt body armor for kids (they also make a one piece leather suit for kids, but not many stores stock them.  Check out MotoLiberty.com who does.  

Bilt  - Street gear exclusively offered at CycleGear.com

Held - Winter gloves for kids

HJC - CL-Y Youth helmet

Scorpion- EXO-400 Youth helmet 

TaichiMoto.com - Leather and Textile options From RS Taichi 

Vanson Leathers - 2 piece leather suits for kids

I'm sure there are others and I'll update this post as I find more companies that offer street gear for kids.

In other words, Motorcycles and Scooters are awesome.

Well, DUH! We already knew that, didn't we folks?

Rep. Duncan Promotes Two-Wheeled Vehicles as Fun, Fuel-Efficient Choices for Many Americans 

Washington, D.C., May 23, 2012 – Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus Member and House Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman John Duncan (R-TN) entered a statement to the Congressional Record on May 18 recognizing motorcycles and scooters as viable transportation options for many Americans. Previously, President Obama had proclaimed May 15 through May 21 as National Transportation Week. In the proclamation, the President recognized that America needs a safer transportation network that will provide more transportation choices. 

“As a Member of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus, I would like to highlight one such choice and point out that two wheeled vehicles can be transportation options for many Americans,” said Chairman Duncan. “In his proclamation, the President called for increased transportation options that cut commuting time, ease traffic congestion, reduce oil consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Motorcycles and scooters are options that can help to meet all of these goals. Motorcycles and scooters also have the advantages of being much cheaper than cars or trucks as well as considerably easier to park - and a lot of fun to ride.”

“I own a scooter myself and I enjoy riding when I get the opportunity,” said Duncan. “I encourage all riders to get trained, licensed and obey traffic laws, and I remind all road users to be aware of motorcyclists, particularly as we move into the prime riding season in Tennessee and across the country.” 

“Motorcycles and scooters are fun for recreation, but can also be used for commuting and running errands,” said Kathy Van Kleeck, MIC’s senior vice president of government relations. “As Representative Duncan noted, they are highly fuel efficient and can be effective in easing congestion and meeting other important transportation goals. 

“MIC would like to thank Congressman Duncan for continuing to be a champion for motorcyclists and motorcycle safety in Congress,” said Duane Taylor, MIC’s director of federal affairs. 

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit, national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.