[MrSurly]

(No, not me)

This past weekend in Longview there was a first ever rally event in downtown that drew thousands. I didn't attend due to home repair stuff, though I rode by at one point.
During one of the group ride events, there was a one-bike motorcycle crash resulting in a fatality.
A newspaper article about the event ticked me off enough that I sent an email to the DPS.
Nothing to come of it. I just had to vent.

<<<<to the TX DPS Motorcycle Safety Division--
First, let me say that my prayers and condolences go out the the family and friends of Charles Flowers, the man who died in a motorcycle accident on hwy 259 on Saturday, in connection with the Riders, Rockers and Ribs event. I pray as well, for the recovery of his passenger, who is in critical condition.

I wasn't there, but I read today, of the event in the Longview News Journal's online report.

Besides the tragedy of the rider's passing, I was struck by a quote in the article attributed to State Trooper Jean Dark.


“And when he came over the crest of the hill, he saw them all braking,” Dark said. “And he had to go ahead and lay his bike down.”

I was taken aback by this quote coming from someone in a professional position such as Trooper Dark. I can only hope that the quote was mis-attributed. Perhaps it was said by someone on the scene, I don't know. I can only assume at this point that Trooper Dark does not ride. The fact is, "had to lay 'er down" is a hideous yet oft-repeated myth. An old wives tale. The idea that laying a motorcycle down will somehow magically *improve* stopping distance or survivability in ANY situation outside of Hollywood is as blatantly false as " I drive better with a little buzz".
The phrase is so familiar that it is pointed out as bogus in every sort of motorcycle safety training out there, and I'm certain that anyone in the Motorcycle Safety Division knows this.
My issue is that the repetition of this horrendous idea is awful enough when told with a gleam in the eye of some old storyteller at the biker bar, but seeing it embraced, codified and propagated by a Trooper!?
Please, someone, relay to Trooper Dark and perhaps to everyone that this is a dangerous myth that will inevitably lead some new rider to get hurt unnecessarily. Please don't traffic in fallacy, there are riders out there that look to you for direction and reliable safety information.

Ricky Slaughter
Longview




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