POST OFFICE BOX 270791
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73137
(405)-789-5565
Downed Bikers was founded on September 2, 1999, with the underlying goal to provide emotional and financial support through benefits and poker runs. The organization has a Board of Directors, Bylaws, Articles of Organization, and a set of guidelines defining meetings, events, fund-raisers, etc.
Members receive a shirt, card, patch, and pin in return for their annual dues. Dues provide for operating expenses, such as; post office box rental, monthly phone bills, pins, patches, shirts, cards, web site hosting, printing, mailing, etc. Each chapter will be responsible for their own fundraising with 100% of the money raised going to the respective recipient.
We cannot prevent motorcycle accidents from occurring. However you can make a difference by being there through emotional and financial support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Downed Bikers Association?
A: Downed Bikers Association is a non-profit organization created to aid those lost or confined to a hospital due to a motorcycle accident.
Q: How do I become a member?
A: You can complete a membership application at any one of our benefit poker runs, bike night booth, chapter meetings or event. Call your local chapter for a list of their upcoming events.
405-789-5565 | Western Plains Oklahoma
580-445-1905 | Tulsa Oklahoma
918-814-7199 | Enid Oklahoma
580-977-7572
Q: Why should I join Downed Bikers.
A: The Downed Bikers sole purpose is to help persons involved in motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle accidents have increased significantly due to the increase in motorcycle rider ship. As the old saying goes, “It’s not a matter of IF you will go down, it’s a matter of WHEN”. To the best of our knowledge, we are the only organization whose purpose is to aid motorcycle accident victims.
Q: Do you have to ride a Harley?
A: No, Some of our members don’t even ride a bike. Its all about helping motorcycle accident victims.
Q: Is Downed Bikers a bike club or gang?
A: No, we are an association. A motorcycle club or gang usually has a 3 piece back patch. The top rocker states the name of the club, and the bottom rocker will say what city or area they are from. The patch will usually have M.C. or M/C on it. This designates them as a Motorcycle Club. An association on the other hand, has a 1 piece back patch. The Downed Bikers Association back patch has been approved by the Confederation of Clubs in Oklahoma and Colorado.
Q: Do you have to be a member to request a run?
A: No, you do not have to be a member to request or receive a benefit run. Anyone can request a benefit run so long as they meet the minimum requirements. The person involved in the accident MUST be admitted to an overnight stay at a hospital. In the event there are more requests than available dates, we will prioritize based upon need, severity of accident, etc.
Q: How do I request a run?
A: Each chapter has a different way of handling their requests. Oklahoma City Chapter requires a representative to come to the members meeting, and complete a run request form in person. Please contact your respective chapter for specific details.
Q: Are the Board of Directors or Committee Members paid?
A: No, they are a dedicated group of volunteers donating their valuable time to the organization.
Q: How can we start a chapter?
A: Contact Downed Bikers National Chapter at (405) 789-5565. Leave your name and number and a good time to call. After a short initial phone interview, we will determine whether to proceed with starting a chapter in your area. The next step would be to put your request in writing to present to the National Chapter of the Downed Bikers Association. Please be warned, starting a chapter requires a lot of time and effort. You must be willing to commit a significant amount of time to getting your chapter started and running.
Q: Why don’t you have the minutes of the meetings on the web site?
A: Based on legal council we have been advised not to publish the minutes of the meeting on the web site.
Group Riding Guidelines
There are more people getting together as groups not only for impromptu short excursions but also for organized rides. A group ride could be defined as any group of two or more motorcycles riding together. There are many specifics concerning group riding, including, instructions before the ride so everyone understands the hand signals, the route, how long between rest stops and a myriad of other necessary instructions. This article is not going to go into specifics, but rather into the general guidelines of group riding so as to have a safe ride; but not be so overwhelmed with things to remember as to take away from the enjoyment of the ride.
Riding Formation
A Group Ride is normally composed of a Ride Leader and a Sweep, Tail, or Drag Rider (bringing up the rear). For organized rides they usually have knowledge of the route including not only the final destination, but also the stops along the route.
Normal riding as a group is done in a staggered formation. This is, basically, dividing a lane in half with each rider occupying his/her own half of the lane. It is each rider’s responsibility to ride in the half of the lane as dictated to by the next rider in front. If the rider in front needs to change lane halves to maintain the stagger, then it is the following rider’s responsibility to change lane position on down the line to accommodate this change. The Lead Rider usually starts the stagger in the left half of the lane position. While in staggered group riding, the normal stagger distance is 1 -> 2 seconds, and no more than a 3 second gap, in order to maintain a tight formation and not allow traffic to interrupt and break up the formation. This means that each rider will be 2 -> 3 seconds behind the rider directly in front and using the same half of the lane. If you can see the rider €™s face in the mirror in front of you they should be able to see you. When coming to a stop, the group generally forms up two abreast / side by side. When the group starts off, the rider on the left starts first.
When riding through sharp curves, the stagger may no longer be utilized and a single file type of formation is used. These changes in lane position should be dictated by the Lead Rider. The index finger pointing straight up in the air is a direction for single file riding. Holding two fingers straight up in the air (the index and little fingers) indicates a staggered formation. Single file riding allows the riders more freedom to negotiate the curves and to dodge obstacles while having the freedom to use the whole lane. In single formation the normal distance between riders is increased to 3 -> 5 seconds. For safety, the single file formation should not be elongated to such a distance that the rider in front cannot be seen. There are two reasons for this:
1. It is much easier to negotiate around corners by using the next rider’s position to “see” further around blind curves
2. The rider can see and pass back hand signals indicating obstacles or other information ahead.
The Lead Rider is responsible for setting a safe and reasonable speed for all riders. Consideration should always be given for slower motorcycles and posted speed limits. If any rider feels that the group pace is too fast for comfort, then he/she should motion the following bikes to pass until the only one left following is the Sweep Rider. Then ride at your own pace until the next stop. Then you should inform the Lead Rider that you are uncomfortable with the pace. It will then be up to the Lead Rider to either separate the ride into two groups, or go at a slower pace so that all members of the group feel secure. Group riding should not be, and is never, a race!
If a rider in the formation needs to pull out for any reason, the group will close up the gap and reorganize the stagger. Please do not pull off, unless you need to do so. The Sweep Rider of the group will aid the rider who has pulled over. He will also communicate with the Ride Leader so as to apprise him of the situation. The next (last) rider then becomes the Sweep Rider until the Sweep Rider returns to the group. The Sweep Rider should ask another rider to inform the Lead Rider of the problem.