May is Motorcycle Awareness Month

With Spring now here, the Society of Ottawa Area Riders (SOAR) have been planning an exciting Motorcycle Awareness Campaign for 2014.

In addition to promoting, “Keep An Eye Out For Motorcycles!” in the Ottawa area, Canadian Tire Corporation will again be promoting a public service announcement at all 300 gas stations across Canada. New this year we welcome Husky gas stations now promoting SOAR’s video campaign. The CAA have also come on board and will be placing an ad for us free of charge in their magazine and promoting motorcycle awareness through their social media networks. In Ottawa, SOAR will be promoting motorcycle awareness at the Cineplex Odeon on screen prior to movie start, bus backs on 40 OC Transpo buses, rotating billboards across the city, Bounder Magazine, The Canadian Tire Centre hockey arena at half time Senator games and radio.

On Sunday, April 27^th, 2014 please join us as the Deputy Mayor proclaims May is Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Month at City Hall from 10:30 am to 12:30 noon. “Keep An Eye Out For Motorcycles!” window decals will be given away free of charge and selling SOAR “Keep An Eye Out For Motorcycles” t-shirts for $20.

Most important of all we this year is Glen Murray, the Minister of Transportation who has committed to implementing public education and social marketing campaigns to influence positive driver behaviour, improving beginner driver education curriculum, the driver’s handbook, on the MTO website and on COMPASS signs during the motorcycle season.

Special thanks to our partners MTO, ORRA, Ottawa Safety Council, CAA, Regency, Safer Roads Ottawa, Pattison Group, Affinity Productions, Bounder Magazine, Canadian Tire, Ottawa Senators, Miller McConnell and the motorcycle community.

Watch these exciting clips and please pass them on virally:

City of Ottawa 2013 Launch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJZC8B_r7Hw

Canadian Tire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsqXEAFhFUc&list=UUM_5quRSI4SbCS1cru3tWzg

Affinity Production PSA 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFKizBdw_Nc

Interview with Liz Jansen:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQPUCNVGl-I
Affinity Productions French PSA 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kfNa3y2cYA
Affinity Productions PSA 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8frK50r2p7Y

Podcast Dora D

It takes a few to make a difference!

Sheryl Boggs and Dora D from SOAR

 “Everyone has someone that they know who rides a motorcycle,” said Dora DiFrancescomarino of SOAR.  “Drivers of all vehicles – cars, trucks and motorcycles – are encouraged to be extra alert. Motorcycles are some of the smallest vehicles on the road and we’re calling on drivers of cars and larger vehicles to take extra care to safely share the road. Motorcyclists need to do our part as well by being aware of our surroundings in traffic, wearing protective riding gear and not taking unnecessary risks.”

 

“Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than passenger vehicle drivers in the event of a crash.   Remember, the only bumpers motorcyclists have are their knees! Research shows that approximately 80 percent of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a motorcycle rider, while only 20 percent of passenger car crashes injure or kill a driver or passenger in their vehicle,” continued DiFrancescomarino, “and in Ottawa, we’ve decided to do something about that!”

 

For the past two years, SOAR has been actively soliciting grants, funding and in-kind contributions to help promote May is Motorcycle Awareness month.  The 2013 campaign resulted signage on 40 billboards, bus backs, decals for vehicles and city street signage across the city to raise awareness. Partners include Ministry of Transportation, Safer Roads Ottawa, Ottawa Safety Council, Ontario Road Riders Association and generous donations of Miller McConnell Signs, Bounder Magazine and Pattison Signs. In addition, Affinity Productions, one of SOAR's partners produced radio and public service You tube videos. Half time announcements where made at the "at home" games of the Ottawa Senators Hockey team. In addition to this, Canadian Tire also promoted May is Motorcycle Awareness month at all service stations across Ontario.   

 

The Society of Ottawa Area Riders (SOAR) was established 20 years ago, primarily to meet with charity riding groups, review event dates and locations in a coordinated effort to avoid conflicting dates for the benefit of all. Today, SOAR has become the “voice of the motorcycle riding community” in Ottawa. The SOAR executive has representatives from charity ride organizers, motorcycle associations and clubs as well as motorcycle businesses and related companies and organizations.

 

The goal of SOAR is to promote biker awareness, represent local rider interest at the municipal, provincial and federal levels with legislative issues as well as rider training, manufacturer recalls, parking, motorcycle awareness, insurance and rider safety.

 

SOAR is not a motorcycle riding club. The purpose is to promote a passion for positive and safe riding; be a resource in group riding events and provide information on local charitable and motorcycling events. Look for us at www.ottawasoar.com on Twitter and Facebook at “Society of Ottawa Area Riders (SOAR).”