Clutch and Chrome caught up with custom bike builder and motorcycle celebrity Rick Fairless at Sturgis on Thursday to discuss his work with Allstate Insurance Company and their newest initiative under its Rider Protection Project portfolio, a series of programs all focused on making the roads a safer place to ride.
The latest initiative is the Allstate Good Ride Grant contest which looks to the riding community for their ideas on advancing motorcycle safety and awareness. Good Ride Grants joins Rider Risk Map, Once is Never Enough (O.N.E.) and other rider advocacy initiatives, all part of Allstate’s commitment to protecting riders.
Putting money where their heart is Allstate Insurance Company’s Good Ride Grants will award a combined total of $25,000 to contest winners with the best ideas. Now through Aug. 31, 2013, contest applicants may submit their Good Ride Grant submissions through the designated tab on Allstate Motorcycle’s Facebook page. Entries are welcome from anyone, including local governments, dealerships, rider clubs and individuals.
“Riding a motorcycle presents a feeling of freedom, adventure and camaraderie with fellow riders, but we also know the risks that come along with it,” said Keith Rutman, vice president of Allstate's Powersports unit. “The Good Ride Grant program allows Allstate to continue our mission of protecting riders while also keeping an open ear to the riding community and what they feel is important.”
The first 1,000 contest entries to be submitted before Aug. 31 will be reviewed and finalists will be chosen by a six-person judging committee, comprising of representatives from Allstate and a diverse collection of motorcycle industry professionals, including custom motorcycle builder Rick Fairless.
“I’m proud to partner with Allstate on an issue that has always been top of mind for me, and I think that the Good Ride Grant program is a great way to empower our riding community to help each other protect what is a lifestyle for so many of us by making it as safe as possible,” said Fairless.
“There are lots of people out there that ride and lots of ideas,” Rick says,’ Give’em to me. What’s the ideas, we’re going to take the idea’s and whittle them down.”
Joining Fairless on the judging committee is Keith Rutman, vice president of Allstate's Powersports unit; Rusty Creed, Allstate agency owner; Rod Krois, Indian Motorcycle’s Marketing Director; Bryan Harley, Motorcycle USA Editor; and Don Becklin, Motorcycle Superstore / Motorcycle USA founder and Motorsport Aftermarket Group’s retail group president.
Both Allstate Insurance Company and Rick obviously enjoy working together, the two are on their third year of bringing similar programs and initiatives to the riding community.
In September, the judges will determine the top 15 finalists. The finalists will then be featured on the Allstate Motorcycle Facebook page, where fans can vote for their favorite ideas. The five finalists with the highest overall contest scores by Oct. 31 will each receive a $5,000 grant to help put their ideas into action.
Complete details on the Allstate Good Ride Grant contest and details on how to submit an idea, visit Facebook.com/AllstateMotorcycle and click on the Good Ride Grant tab icon.
During the interview, it’s clear that Rick is riding what he’s promoting, motorcycle safety and awareness.
“It's not only how I’m riding but how I’m trying to get my children to ride,” Rick explains, “My daughter Lena is up here with me and she rides with me. I’m staying out of the blind spots and when I’m turning the corner I’m looking to see if there’s gravel or oil along the road.”
“When I’m going down the road I’m watching what’s going behind me as well as all around me,” he explains further.
Motorcycle safety education is obviously key according to the current initiative as well as the legendary bike builder.
“You have to teach the young people how to ride,” he explains “I had to teach my daughter to look behind her when she stops at a stop sign to make sure that jack behind you is putting on his brakes too!”
“It’s awareness and education and that’s the kind of stuff we’re trying to do [with Allstate Insurance Company] and I’m doing more [of this] now than I did ten years ago,” he says.
And Rick is a firm believer of motorcycle safety courses. He noted that in the state of Texas new riders are required to take a motorcycle safety course to qualify for a motorcycle endorsement on their license.
“I was big behind that requirement,” Rick proudly says, “You’ve got to get an official trainer to show you those things.”
Thursday was the first day of the Allstate Good Ride Grant contest and the reaction has been great according to Fairless.
“Everybody that rides wants it to be safer. Now bikers who sit around and say those ‘sure wishes’ can take them and turn the ‘sure wishes’ into a reality with the Good Ride Grant program,” he says.
“Just don’t sit around talking about it,” Rick continues taking on a slightly sterner tone, “let’s do something about it!”
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Source: Clutch and Chrome (AP, 8/09)
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