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Frankfort State Employees Invited to Attend KSP Motorcycle Safety Day
 Last year, more than 300 motorcyclists and enthusiasts from across the Commonwealth attended the annual ‘Motorcycle Safety Awareness Day’ event. This year's event is scheduled for May 12 and promises to be bigger and better. KSP is extending the invitation to all Frankfort state employees to stop by and visit the displays. The idea is to educate both motorists and motorcyclists about sharing the road safely. A full day of activities is scheduled that include motorcycle safety exhibits, vendor displays, prize raffles, a free safety seminar, news conference and the ‘Cruise for Safety Awareness’ ride. There will be food vendors onsite for those who want to drop by during their lunch hour.
Highway Safety Branch Commander Lt. David Jude is organizing the 2010 event in an effort to bring awareness to both motorists and riders about the importance of sharing the road.
“It is all about safety and changing driving behavior to reduce the number of motorcycle deaths in Kentucky. This event is open to the public and there will be something for everyone,” said Jude.
Jude is reaching out to riders, the motoring public and the motorcycle industry in an effort to bring all parties to the venue.
“Our principle concern is to increase driver recognition of motorcyclists in traffic, while at the same time encouraging cyclists to engage in the overall safe operation of their bikes.”
In 2009, Kentucky had 1,873 crashes involving motorcycles with 78 of those crashes resulting in death. Of those, 51 of the victims were not wearing helmets. Last year, there were 104,687 motorcycles licensed in the Commonwealth.
The “Cruise for Safety Awareness’ ride will be escorted by KSP and the University of Kentucky Police Motorcycle Unit, traveling from Frankfort through scenic Woodford County.
Jude said the event will also include a free motorcycle safety seminar taught by a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach.
“There's often an obstacle facing new riders," says Jude. "They'd like to buy their first bike or maybe upgrade to a newer, more powerful one, but worry about their ability to handle it safely. Rider education programs are the answer for both beginning and seasoned riders. We advocate attending refresher courses that help riders keep their edge by sharpening their skills."
Jude advised that space is limited for the free seminar to the first 100 participants who register. Information about the seminar and other scheduled events for ‘Motorcycle Safety Awareness Day’ can be found on the KSP Web page at www.kentuckystatepolice.org or by contacting the office at 502-695-6353.
All event activities are open to the public and free of charge. They will take place at KSP Headquarters located at 919 Versailles Road in Frankfort and begin at 11:00 a.m.
Warm weather signals a time to shuck jackets, adopt a warm weather attitude and don casual attire to head outside and enjoy nature. Kentucky has nature and scenic beauty aplenty at any one of 52 state parks and historic sites convenient to every area of the state. Events and activities are happening all over the state that complement rising temperatures. Check out all the options and times and make reservations at www.parks.ky.gov.
Carter Caves State Resort Park Expands the Number of Cave Tours It Offers Read more.
Mark Your Calendar for the Trooper Island Motorcycle Ride
 This year's Post 10 Trooper Island Motorcycle Ride will be July 24, 2010. To preregister, contact TFC Walt Meachum at 606-573-3131 or via email at walt.meachum@ky.gov. To register the day of the ride, you will need to go to KSP Post 10 in Harlan from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. with the ride leaving at 10:30 am. The cost is $30 per bike and you will receive a shirt, door prize ticket and a chance to win the 2010 Camaro being raffled off for Trooper Island. Door prizes will include tickets for Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Truck Series at the NASCAR Bristol night races in August.
This year's ride or "Gypsy Tour" will take you on a scenic journey across four states and the Smokey Mountains in four hours. The tour will stop half way in Johnson City, Tenn. at Kemosabee's Road House to eat and then continue the journey through the Smokey Mountains to Maggie Valley, N.C. where the ride will finish at the world famous Wheels Through Time Museum. The Wheels Through Time Museum is home to the world's premier collection of rare American Vintage Motorycles. This All-American motorcycle museum houses more than 300 of America's rarest and most historic classic motorcycles, with more than 24 marquees on display, including the likes of Harley-Davidson, Indian, Excelsior, Crocker, Henderson, and much more. Wheels Through Time is raffling off a '47 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead that can be seen on their website www.wheelsthroughtime.com. The museum will be donating 25 percent of all raffle ticket sales for the weekend of July 23-25 to Trooper Island. If you decide to stay the night, contact Smoky Falls Lodge at 877-926-7440 and mention Trooper Island for a special rate www.smokyfallslodge.com.
Sponsors for this year's ride are Wheels Through Time and the soon to launch one-stop-shop for all Internet needs where The World is ON!!! at Mamoof.com.
History of The Gypsy Tour: In 1917, the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM), now the AMA, sanctioned its first official Gypsy Tours. A Gypsy Tour was an overnight event with organized road rides and other activities of interest to motorcycle enthusiasts. Gypsy Tours were held in various parts of the country and typically occurred on the same weekend every year.
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