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For Immediate Release
Contact: Dan Genzler, Genz Communications, LLC, Phone - 605-670-8591 Email - dangenzler@gmail.com
May is Motorcycle Safety Month
MidAmerica MotoPlex A Leader in Promoting Motorcycle Safety
Sioux Falls, S.D. (May 1, 2012) -- Since MidAmerica MotoPlex opened its doors over 11 years ago, company president Jeff Johnson has been a proponent of motorcycle safety.
"When you sell motorcycles, safety has to be an integral part of it," said Johnson. "There are numerous ways for motorcycle riders to be safe on the road while having fun. Riding a bike is all about having fun," he said.
For Johnson and his staff, promoting motorcycle safety is a year-around effort. With May being Motorcycle Safety Month, the company is stepping up with a series of safety-related initiatives, including providing a training site for the South Dakota Safety Council and Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) motorcycle safety training course.
Johnson is also running a promotion for helmet upgrades; has trained staff on gear and protective attire; and offers safety information (brochures, etc.) at the business, located at I+-29 and Exit #83 in north Sioux Falls. In addition, all the motorcycles for sale include a tag promoting the safety council's safety course.
For over a decade, MidAmerica MotoPlex has partnered with the South Dakota Safety Council and the MSF by providing a site to hold the (training) courses. It is one of two sites in Sioux Falls (Department of Transportation in Sioux Falls).
"We give them full use our conference rooms and our parking lot all summer long during the days, evening and weekends," said Johnson, who is appreciative of the safety efforts promoted by the South Dakota Safety Council and MSF. "It is our way to give back to them for what they are doing to teach people to drive safely and defensively on a motorcycle."
MidAmerica MotoPlex is also running a helmet "trade to upgrade" promotion, in which motorcycle riders receive $25 off a Snell or ECE-approved helmet. Snell is a U.S. rating system for helmets while ECE is a more stringent European helmet rating system, which is popular in the U.S.
According to Johnson, U.S. Government safety officials as well as helmet manufacturers recommend that helmets be upgraded every two to four years.
"Over time, the padding in the helmet degrades," said Johnson, acknowledging that South Dakota does not have a helmet law. "This effort helps encourage bikers/riders who wear helmets to upgrade."
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Motorcycle Safety Advocated by MidAmerica MotoPlex, P. 2...
Another motorcycle safety measure, advocated by Johnson, includes informing customers about proper attire and riding gear. MidAmerica MotoPlex apparel staff has been trained on the value of protective gear, which Johnson knows can save lives.
He noted a case of a Sioux Falls man, who was in an accident in Washington state. The area biker was able to walk away from the accident with minor injuries due to his helmet and protective gear. In a glass both at MidAmerica MotoPlex, the man's story, along with the helmet and riding gear, is showcased.
"Unquestionably he was wearing the proper attire," said Johnson. "All it took was spending about a $1,000 to properly outfit himself."
Motorcycle safety involves a number of factors, including gear and "smart" as well as defensive driving from both motorcyclists and motorists and others on the road.
"Everyone operating motorized vehicles must share the road," said Johnson. "Safety is a two-way street."
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Through the South Dakota Safety Council (www.southdakotasafetycouncil.org) and Safety Kits Plus (safetykitsplus.wordpress.com), several motorcycle safety tips are listed below. Additional safety information can be found at www.southdakotaride.com, a South Dakota Office of Highway Safety website.
~ Motorcyle riders and motor vehicle operators have the same rights and privileges, as well as responsibilities for safe driving and riding.
~ Motorists should allow for proper following distance and never share a lane with a motorcycle rider. Just like motorists, motorcycle riders need room to safely maneuver.
~ Due to the size of a motorcycle, motorists may find it difficult to see riders, especially in blind spots, as well as determining speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle.
~ Motor vehicle operators should use their signals when changing lanes or merging in traffic. This allows the motorcycle riders the opportunity to anticipate traffic flow and move into a safe lane position.
~ It is advisable for motor vehicle operators to always check mirrors and potential blind spots before entering or leaving a traffic lane as well as at intersections.
~ Motor vehicle operators should also be aware that seemingly minor annoyances for them (potholes, wet or slippery surfaces, gravel, pavement seams, railroad crossing and grooved payment) may require a motorcyclist to adjust their speed or position in a lane.
About MidAmerica MotoPlex:
MidAmerica MotoPlex (www.midamericamotoplex.com) , which has earned a Top-100 award from Dealernews, features six brands (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo) and a wide range of motorized equipment, including snowmobiles, atv's, watercraft, motorcycles, plus a multitude of accessories. MidAmerica MotoPlex, "where fun begins," has an enthusiastic staff with over a century of combined experience and are knowledgeable in motor sports inside and out, from sales to service.
