Category Archives: Awareness

MREP has your Nelson’s Ride Pix with Vinnie DiMartino

08182013NelsonsRideScreenShotFromMREPThe Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) has ten photo galleries from Nelson’s Ride, and tons of photos with YOU and Vinnie DiMartino.  Check out the photos on their Facebook page!

To minimize the risk and maximize the fun of motorcycling, the Registry of Motor Vehicles sponsors the Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP). The mission of this program is to reduce the number of motorcycle related fatalities and injuries in the Commonwealth by increasing the statewide availability of Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) approved training courses for motorcycle riders and to increase awareness and education for both riders and drivers.

Come meet Vinnie DiMartino at Nelson’s Ride on Sunday!

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(Click “PLAY” above to hear VInnie DiMartino’s 30 second PSA for Nelson’s Ride).  Original and 14-year supporter of Nelson’s Ride, the Motorcyclists Suvivor’s Fund and long-time “Check Twice” motorcycle advocate Betsy Lister of Lister Insurance Agency getting the “thumbs up’ from master Bike Builder Vinnie DiMartino, who’ll be joining us Sunday morning at Nelson’s Ride, from Cycles! 128.

 

MMSF Updates: Rudedog Benefit, Planning Meetings, Flash Ride-Ins

08142013RudeDogFlyerImage.jpgAll the event details, advanced online tickets, and a full page printable flyer are now available for the Charlie “Rudedog” Campbell Benefit on August 14th at Sammy’s Patio in Revere. All event details are here.

Nelson’s Ride Event Planning Team Meetings will be held every Monday night now through August 12th. Meetings start at 6:30 sharp at Cycles! 128. Walk-throughs, ride the Ride Route (weather permitting – use your judgment) (Road Guards needed !) Some ‘after-meeting’ meetings then to the Rocci-Post – all done by 8:30 ! Come on down – sign up to again help make this annual Ride for local families of riders in need a smooth Event for all attendees – it’s our Volunteers that make this work!

Watch for our Wednesday Night “Flash Ride-Ins” and cookouts on our Facebook Page each Wednesday beginning June 26th through August 14th. By 1 p.m. each Wednesday, we’ll announce on our Facebook Page the location of that night’s Event and DEAL for riders, be it FREE cookouts by our supporters or discount food deals or a supported Event helping local riders. Make our Wednesday night FLASH Ride-Ins a ‘pit stop’ on your Wednesday night cruise. Nelson’s Ride Event tickets/I’m Riding In Memory of Lanyards, shirts, pins/patches will be available!

Remembering Nelson Selig

Today, May 2nd, thirteen years ago, Nelson Selig of Essex was killed while riding his motorcycle on Route 133 in Ipswich, when a 19-year old driving a Blaza and lighting a bong, drifting into Nelson’s lane hitting his motorcycle head on.

We offer our condolences to his family and friends, and THANK them for allowing us to use their tragedy to help and benefit other families of riders through “Nelson’s Ride” and other Survivor’s Fund events.

Nelson Selig

Nelson’s tragic death 14 years ago also spurred a grass roots movement of motorcycle awareness within the local riding community that we believe has saved lives and reduced accidents.

“Nelly’s Bill” was enacted 4 years later that put a motorcycle awareness module into the auto driver’s training course curriculum. Statistics from 1998-2000 showed 28% of motorcycle fatalities in Massachusetts occurred before May, so another Bill was passed proclaiming the last week of March through the end of April as the Commonwealth’s Motorcycle Awareness Period. The State’s motorcycle awareness program was pulled from the Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau and transferred to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, who adopted “Check Twice – Save a Life, MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE!” as the State’s awareness motto. An audit of the State’s motorcycle safety fund revealed over $400,000 in unspent funds, and $300,000 was re-allotted. While most of the Country saw increased deaths with increased motorcycle registrations, motorcycle fatalities in Massachusetts remained level or lessened.

Nelson left behind a Mom and longtime step-Dad, two sisters, a wife and two young children. He was a local clam digger who wanted more for his kids. Friends and local riders rallied and put together “Nelson’s Ride” in August 2000, to raise money for his kids’ educational fund. A second then a third Ride were done in 2001 and 2002. After the third Ride, his family thanked the riding community then did an unselfish act, asking the Ride continue in Nelson’s memory, but funds raised go to other local families of riders killed or seriously injured in motorcycle accidents. That has been happening since 2004. In 2007, a Survivor’s Fund was started in Southeastern Massachusetts. And in 2008, a Blackstone Valley Survivor’s Fund was started that in 2010 changed to the Worcester County Survivor’s Fund.

Today, we remember what took Nelly from his family 14 years ago and remember what has come because of his death. We thank his family, friends and the riding community for all they have contributed in helping other families. Rest in peace, Nelson.