The new comedy Wild Hogs” opens in theaters across the country this week. The movie, starring John Travolta, William H. Macy, Tim Allen and Martin Lawrence, is about a group of middle-aged friends who decide to go cross-country on brand new motorcycles. They get more than they bargained for including a series of misadventures and an encounter with the Del Fuegos motorcycle gang.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) sees this this movie as a good opportunity to remind folks about having the necessary skills needed to ride safely. “New or returning riders need to be aware that their skills diminish over time,” said Dr. Ray Ochs, 58, a long-time rider and director of training systems for the MSF. “And there are certain effects of aging that we shouldnt ignore. Middle-aged riders like me need to accept that slower reaction times and deteriorating vision are a fact of life. Once a rider acknowledges the realities of aging, there are many techniques to improve their safety and that of those around them on the road such as giving themselves more space behind the vehicle in front of them, and thus more time to react.#8221; (see more on this topic in WRNs Riding Right column on Space Cushion Riding)
“From what Ive seen of the film from clips online, it shows the fun and camaraderie of a group of friends who go on a road trip together,” Ochs said. “I caution everyone to realize that it is a movie. In real life, someone who hasnt ridden for a while needs to review the basic fundamentals of motorcyclist safety before getting back in the saddle.”
For more information on the MSF visit MSF-USA.org