Two-Wheeled Wisdom (1965)

[Music] this is the story of how safety on two-wheeled vehicles can add to the fun and pleasure of the open road it is essentially the story of how a motorcycle or scooter can be properly handled to keep the rider safe and the general public a friend of the cycle in addition to their use as pleasure vehicles motorcycles also play a vital part in our metropolitan traffic picture expressways such as are found in many of America's largest cities must be patrolled round the clock to ensure orderly traffic and smooth flow of millions of automobiles in such an assignment the motorcycle mounted officer plays an important law enforcement role these are proud members of a seductive fling a machine that has great power and affords great maneuverability they are proud to be motorcycle mounted minions of the law the AMAs motto put your best wheel forward is not just an idle slogan a combination of courteous and responsible writing and adult behavior will add to the fine image the majority of cyclists create the AMA also places a great deal of stress on safety activities as indicated by this banner awarded to clubs which have outstanding annual safety records a safety check of your motorcycle is essential the front wheel handbrake could be located on either the right or left handlebar for easy access and complete control and of course the rear wheel brake is controlled by your foot pedal [Music] checking for proper tire pressure is as essential on a two wheeler as it is on an automobile footrests are for writing comfort and convenience and your starter get you underway a foot shift makes it easy to change gear also important is checking chain conditions in quoting tension [Music] a vital safety feature is the tail and stop lights which must always be in good operating order to protect you and the writers behind you it's why is to check the tire treads for wear and to get rid of pebbles and other objects you might have picked up and more than vanity demands that you have a rear view mirror which gives you a glimpse of what's behind you at all times to assure safety on the highway now that you know your motorcycles operating features you'll get dressed for the ride all cyclists know the leather jacket is a practical garment providing warmth and protection as well as comfort and remember a safety helmet is to a cyclist what a safety belt is to a motorist as the best wheel forward poster says dressed neatly ride carefully dressing neatly will make a distinctly good impression on your neighbors your writing companions and the public now that you're ready let's take a typical situation on the road on your approach to a stop sign remember that since the front brake is more effective apply the rear brake first then ease down on the front one when you come to a stop sign signal clearly and take an extra second to stop look and listen before you proceed remember a motorcycle has many advantages over other vehicles for one thing visibility is virtually unlimited if a blind spot exists it's usually the drivers not the vehicle then two motorcycles are easy to handle in the proper hands and controls are simple sure we'll certainly wait a few extra minutes let's take another traffic situation you're traveling along behinds an automobile that fellow enclosed in his car who can't fully enjoy the great outdoors how do you go about passing the car safely and in such a way as not to antagonize the driver there's a phrase if you don't see it don't try it this includes passing on Hills and Kurt no one should ever chance a blind passing situation keeping a safe distance is another basic rule whether in a car or on a cycling these charts will give you an idea of the care that must be taken in keeping your distance for instance at 20 miles per hour it takes a total of 40 feet to stop half of that distance being reaction or thinking time at 30 miles an hour a total stopping distance of 75 feet is required 30 of those feet you're thinking time if you are traveling at 40 miles an hour you would need 120 feet to stop safely 40 feet of which is your thinking time and at a speed of 50 miles an hour it takes 175 feet to stop safely which includes 50 feet of thinking time remember these rules and you'll have a safe and law-abiding time on the road making by the same token making a left-hand turn means entering to the left lane well in advance of the turn with a clear signal which gives the vehicle behind you a chance to slow down and allow you to make the turn or let's take an example of a motorcyclist who is sweeping a curve here's one way that a professional cyclist takes the curve but it is not recommended for highway riding because he's doing it on a racetrack now let's move to a highway rider taking occurred the difference is obvious the professional racer is equipped to ride faster in a race than when he's on the highway and you'll find that the racing motorcyclist is one of the highways most sensible riders he knows for example that you must automatically reduce speed on wet roads or loose gravel and cross street car and railroad tracks at as wide an angle as possible yes motorcycling is a sports unto itself a thrill that must be personally experienced to be fully appreciated when handled properly the motorcycle is a vehicle that will bring untold pleasure to young and old alike the Fellowship's that is evidenced in groups of cyclists out for a pleasure John is unparalleled in any other sports the wholesome fun that cyclists share in their hobby of two-wheeled participation is a thrill that cannot be matched by any other mode of transportation the excitement of the open road that is present in taking command of a motorcycle but more significant is the fact that each cyclist as the AMA has pointed out must always be aware that keeping his best wheel forward is the important thing each of this country's two-wheeled riders there are more than 1/2 million in the United States as a responsibility not only to himself but to other cyclists and motorists as well as the very important segments of the public which accepts the sport on the basis of what it has seen of two-wheeled activity the image of the motorcyclist is one that each individual creates dressing neatly conforming to all traffic laws at all times conducting oneself as a responsible citizen aware of other people's rights these are the goals that all cyclists should set for themselves and these are the goals that the AMA has set for its riders in almost 50 years of promotion of motorcycling as the greatest sport on week we'd like to repeat the words of J Edgar Hoover the care you exercised in handling your motorcycle will add to the safety of our streets and highways it will also increase the pride and pleasure you take in an activity which in many instances is one of their vehicles in the way they were designed for wholesome fun pleasure and economical transportation yes two-wheeled pleasure is something all can enjoy from the youngster trying out his wheels on a bicycle to the teenager enjoying his first scooter from the lad on a lightweight motorcycle to the experienced rider who uses his machine to explore the beauties of this great land of ours from the professional racer seeking fame and glory on the track to the guardians of the law whose motorcycle is a symbol of authority to week the most fully enjoy the greatest sport on wheels [Music]