May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, which is why it is so important to remind all those who drive motorcycles to be alert and aware of their surroundings. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2017, 5,172 motorcyclists were killed in crashes and motorcycle accidents accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities. In honor of Motorcycle Safety Month, we at Silent Beacon wanted to share our founder’s story, which inspired the creation of the Silent Beacon wearable panic button and some motorcycle safety tips to bring awareness to how to stay safe while riding a motorcycle.
From Motorcycle Stunts to Safety: Our Founder and CEO’s Story
Silent Beacon founder and CEO Kenny Kelley knows and understands the dangers of riding a motorcycle first hand. In 2006, Kelley, a former motorcycle stuntman, was doing about 70 mph on his motorcycle. While popping a wheelie, with his feet stuck out over the windshield, he crashed.
Unable to move at first, barely breathing, and unsure of what to do next–he couldn’t call for help. Kelley wasn’t even able to reach his cell phone. As he lay there, he couldn’t believe that this was happening to him.
He couldn’t believe that in 21st century America, with all this technology in our cell phones and all these new technological advances, he couldn’t access his own phone to call for help. Kelley needed help; he needed a bike safety device. That was the moment that sparked the idea for the Silent Beacon wearable personal safety device.
Help eventually showed up. But those minutes of panic and feeling helpless stayed with Kelley long after the crash. Until that wreck, the words “personal safety” had never crossed his mind. That accident made him truly understand the dangers of the road that everyday people face, and it sparked the realization of a problem that needed fixing.
He started noticing a stream of horror stories on the news: a kidnapping victim who’d had no way to send her GPS coordinates for help; a kid trapped in a car as first responders frantically tried to figure out his location. He knew how he, himself, had felt lying on the side of the road and he knew there had to be a simple solution to get help. Kelley needed to create this simple solution himself, a wearable panic button device that would do what none of the others could do.
The main idea was to funnel smartphone technology into a wearable button-activated safety product. The Silent Beacon gives accident victims the freedom to call either 911 or their in case of emergency (ICE) contact, with the push of a button. Palm-sized, it can connect through Bluetooth to your phones. No more fumbling in your pocket or purse to find your phone in an emergency and get help or show your GPS location to a loved one.
The Silent Beacon Wearable Panic Button for Motorcycle Safety
Silent Beacon is a motorcycle safety button that calls any number, including 911, while sending multiple people your live GPS location. Here at Silent Beacon, we understand that different emergencies require different responses. The Silent Beacon safety device allows you to customize who you call for help. Whether that’s 911, emergency services, a family member or friend, even phone numbers overseas are compatible with the device.
When it comes to GPS location technology, the Silent Beacon uses your smartphone’s GPS to send your location in real-time via text, email, and push notifications to people who can help you in an emergency. This feature adds a whole extra layer of safety, enabling your personalized contacts to find you if you are incapacitated or unable to talk.
In addition, the Silent Beacon pairs with a safety app so set-up is as easy as can be. The Silent Beacon is built to work wherever your smartphone can receive service. The device is water-resistant and contains UL-certified fire-retardant plastic with a reinforced keychain area that keeps the device sturdy and safe. In addition, the Silent Beacon works with curved, indented buttons to help reduce false alerts. Unlike competing devices, Silent Beacon requires no monthly or hidden fees.
Once you purchase your device and connect it with your smartphone or tablet Bluetooth®, you won’t have to worry about additional fees or set-up costs.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Creator of Silent Beacon Kenny Kelley understands the importance of an easy and accessible way to call for help. The Silent Beacon motorcycle safety device can help you or a loved one in an emergency situation. In honor of May and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, here are some motorcycle safety tips to keep in mind next time you go for a drive:
- Invest in a strong helmet and jacket for added protection in case of an accident while riding.
- Wear correctly sized gloves to ensure proper handling of your motorcycle.
- Never ride tired. Only ride when you are alert and awake.
- Always keep at least a 20-foot distance between you and fellow riders.
- Use the “outside, inside, outside” path of travel.
When riding in a curve, remember to start at the outside part of your lane, move to the inside part of the curve, then back to the outside. This will straighten out the curve.
- Always be aware of escape routes in case you need to bail out of a sticky situation.
- When riding with others, don’t try to keep up with the group. Stick to a speed you are comfortable with.
- Be extremely wary of other vehicles, especially semi-trucks.
- Follow any and all traffic rules.
- Be a defensive rider.
Never assume that a neighboring driver can see you. You should always ride with your headlights on, stay out of a driver’s blind spot, signal well in advance of any change in direction, and make sure to watch for turning vehicles.
Keep your riding skills honed through education
Staying safe on the road should always be the number one priority. Through education, preparation, and that extra precaution like the Silent Beacon, motorcycle safety can be easy. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 motorcyclists in 2017. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 749 lives could have been saved. Let’s save more lives and bring more awareness to the importance of motorcycle safety tips.
