Co-Rider Responsibilities

What kind of co-rider are you? Are you taking part in the ride or are you just along for the ride?

Too many times I've seen co-riders not paying attention to what is going on around them. While you're riding, what do you do to occupy your time? Do you read a favorite book, knit, sew, write letters, or just sleep until you get where you are going? If this is what you do, you aren't taking an active part in the safety of your trip.

As a co-rider you should take part by being a second pair of eyes and ears. Talk to your partner, make physical contact with your partner, you can help your partner maintain control or lose control depending on your action as a passenger, in other words, you can be an asset or you can be excess baggage.

While you ride, you can help your partner greatly by keeping that extra set of eyes and ears actively searching for what is going on around you. You may see or hear something that the driver doesn't. By talking to your partner, not just blabbering, you can get a feel for how they are reacting to what is going on around you. Pay attention to the sound of their voice, not just the words. Who knows, they may be just as sleepy as you are!

Making physical contact does a couple of things. First, the driver knows you are still there. Second, you will know any movement he makes and if necessary you can make the same move. This is important in a situation where an emergency swerve or an emergency stop needs to be done. By placing your hands on either side of your driver’s waist, you will know what they are going to do. Communication is important here also. The driver should be telling you what is going on instead of just letting you guess. Whatever movement your partner makes, you need to be able to duplicate it. IF they lean, you lean. When they turn their head to look through a turn, you should turn your head and look through the turn.

By paying attention and being an active partner instead of excess baggage, you will make your trip more enjoyable, but most of all, it will be safer because two heads are better than one.

Borrowed from Carl Baumann, NC-B

Submitted by Tom Scully
Chapter Educator