Pictured are members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association NY Chapter U at the Randolph Fish Hatchery. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Submitted photo

“Look twice, save a life” and “Wear your gear” are just a couple of the mottos the Gold Wing Road Riders Association NY Chapter U uses to promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Sally Jaquith, chapter director, said the association was founded in 1977 and was established to provide an atmosphere of fun and safety, along with knowledge for people who wanted to ride together.

“It has grown into a huge organization,” she said. “Our local chapter is one of 10 throughout New York state. We have 26 active members, with ages ranging from 30 to 70.”

Jaquith said the local chapter is for riders in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. She said they provide education defensive techniques, first aid and CPR and co-rider education.

“We like to have fun and ride responsible,” she said. “We offer dinner rides every other Wednesday night. We meet at a designated area together as a group and then we ride about an hour to a different restaurant for dinner.”

The chapter also offers rides every other Saturday that last a couple of hours or all day.

“We stop for lunch or ice cream,” she said. “Some members plan weekend rides out-of-state to places of interest. Last year, we want to Noah’s Ark in Kentucky.”

Jaquith said the Gold Wing Road Riders Association wants to emphasize safety on the road for both vehicle drives and motorcycle riders. She said the group wants to remind vehicle drivers to give motorcyclists space behind, in between, and in front of their vehicles. She added that the chapter also wants to remind riders they need to do their part and not weave in between traffic, to ride defensive and not get in a driver’s blind spot.

Jaquith said the group on the second Sunday of each month meet at the Bell-View East, 7 E. Main St., Falconer, for dinner at 2 p.m. and the chapter meeting at 3 p.m.

“We are not specific to Gold Wing (motorcycles). Anyone who rides is welcome to become a member,” she said. “The GWRRA is offering a trial membership right now. That four-month trial membership offers rescue motorcycle towing up to 35 miles and a four-month subscription to Wing World Magazine. Once you become a member of the GWRRA, we offer insurance to cover bikes, vehicles and RVs and it includes a gold book, which, if you have a breakdown or even a flat tire, help is a phone call away. A gold book offers numbers and types of help they can offer.”

Jaquith said the GWRRA is operating a membership recruitment drive at Hector’s Motorsports, located at 1200 E. Second St., Jamestown, next month.

“We are a group that helps each other become safer and more comfortable riders,” she said. “We remind motorists there is no protection surrounding a motorcycle like a vehicle other than the gear they are wearing. That is why we stress ‘All the gear, all the time.’ We want to remind the drivers and riders to do their part to keep everyone safe on the road.”