Rider Alert Makes National Debut at Sturgis
The Rider Alert motorcycle safety program recently made its national debut at the 71st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Sturgis, SD (August 5, 2011)--Rider Alert, the motorcycle safety program originated in the UK and imported to the USA via the Richmond Ambulance Authority, Bon Secours Hospitals, Virginia and Motorcycle Virginia inc Richmond, made its national debut at the 71st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on August 5.
The program has also teamed up with Geico to allow a national profile to be developed.
Thomas Garner, GEICO National Motorcycle Director said "Geico is proud to announce it's partnership with the Rider Alert program and to be a part of the national debut launch for motorcyclists everywhere. What better place to educate riders about Rider Alert than the Sturgis Rally."
The program provides free identification data cards that help first responders provide rapid and accurate medical assistance to riders involved in accidents.
"The program, launched in the U.S. just 14 weeks ago, has been a phenomenal success," says Rob Lawrence, chief operating officer of Richmond Ambulance Authority and lead for the Rider Alert Program. "This card is born out of experience--it has been designed by paramedics who have been on both sides of an accident as the injured rider or as medical help. Accessing this basic information after a motorcycle accident can sometimes be impossible. This small tool could mean the difference between life and death."
The Rider Alert card is placed inside a rider's helmet and contains life-saving information, emergency contact and any important medical history. When first responders arrive on the scene of a motorcycle accident, a one-inch sticker on the outside of the helmet indicates that the biker has the Rider Alert Card. The sticker also warns untrained responders not to remove the helmet, which could prevent further injury.
"One of the key principles of the program is that it is free to the rider and all funding from the program comes from generous sponsorship," adds Lawrence. "This is how we have been able to place over 100,000 cards with riders in both Virginia and New York. To be able to team up with Geico and deliver this card and the idea of safety to riders from around the country at Sturgis is superb; and we hope this will lead to yet further expansion of this simple yet brilliant idea.”
Rider Alert is based on a program called CRASH Card, which was developed in the United Kingdom two years ago by the Ambulance Motorcycle Club. Since its creation, more than 325,000 CRASH Cards have been distributed to riders in Europe. Imported by a collaboration of the Richmond Ambulance Authority, Bon Secours Hospitals, Virginia and Motorcycle Virginia inc, Rider Alert has been welcomed by both public safety agencies and riders alike.
For more information, visit www.rideralert.org.
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