150548~There are risks involved in off road riding—As I read
your story about the family member of a person killed at Hollister
Hills wanting something done, I wonder why. As an avid off road
rider I know the risks involved with off road riding. You take that
risk whenever you get on a bike. The state has no need to tell
everybody it’s dangerous.
This is in response to Mr. Orlandos’ opinion regarding the risks that are involved with off road bike riding. Our hope, as a family who has just lost a loved one to this sport, is that we can join forces with the off road community in making a difference..to help educate the “new kid on the block” as to the dangers of not wearing the safety gear, of not riding within your level of expertise and the dangers of excessive speed! To help educate new riders of the consequences of going to fast, of the possibilites of hurting others around you and to simply hold all riders accountable for what happens while they are riding… I would think that sport ethusuiasts of off road riding would want to HELP make the sport as safe as possible! My daughter, Sarah Heredia is not pointing fingers, what her heart felt desire is, is to HELP make a difference,so that no other family has to go through the heart ache that our family has been through with Aarons’ death due to an off road accident. Sarah, as well as the rest of our family are just so thankful that Aarons’ accident involved no others… What Mr. Orlandos has failed to consider is he has the capacity, as an off road rider to help make changes so that others can enjoy the sport…so that mothers and fathers can feel a bit easier sending their sons/daughters off to Hollister Hills or any other off road park for a FUN day of off road riding. Yes, there are riders who fail to understand the importance of being responsible and riding within their skill level, my guess is many seasoned drivers have been found icking themselves up after “wipping out” They just got caught up in the moment!!!! So your asking yourselves “What kind of changes?” well lets see, how about mandatory education say a min of 24-36 hours of classroom and off road safety classes!!!! Now that is a concept!… Bike manufacuters would likely sign on to such an idea if it ultimately would help them sell more BIKES! I would think that raising the entrance fees will provide the funding to hire more rangers to patrol the area….those are just a few ideas and I am sure there are parents and others members of the bike community who have other ideas that could help to BEGIN to make this sport safer. What my daughter is trying to do is take pain of losing a loved one and turn this loss into positive change. I wish more citizens would do the same, and realize that together we all have the power to make positive changes in our world.
Laurie Heredia
