ORANGE, Texas — Motorcyclists from across the state came together in Southeast Texas to raise awareness for road safety and honor those that lost their lives in crashes.
Hundreds of Texas motorcyclist gathered at Community Church in Orange to show support and say enough is enough.
Harley Owner Group, HOG, Chapter 4974 held the event called 500 for Life. Those who attended drove from the Orange church to Cowboy Harley-Davidson of Beaumont to advocate for motorcycle safety and inspire people to, "look twice and save a life."
J.W. Dalton is a member of HOG. Dalton feels events like Saturday's help with visibility and accountability.
“We are doctors, lawyers, business owners, pipe fitters,” Dalton said. “Whatever, you know, we've got family we want to go home to. We have mothers, wives, and kids. All we want to do is be heard and seen. I am just asking everyone look twice, and save a life.”
The chapter aimed to get 500 cyclists to make the ride but were short for the event. However, they were happy with the turnout and just want the community to be more aware of bikes on the road.
Director Van Jordan was the mastermind behind the event.
"Started thinking about this, what can we do, and he actually come up with this, 500 for Life,” Dalton said. “A phone call, several phone calls went out. We had all the chapters go out, local chapters pick up. They said whatever we can do, let us know.”
Many rode out in memory of those they lost.
"We lost two from our store family, and that was really difficult,” Keli Borel, Columbanus Motorsports manager, said. “Every time you see it on the news, we all stop and think, 'Is it somebody that we know?'"
Some motorcyclists, such as Buch Burg, feel people who drive cars, trucks and vehicles other than motorcycles should also attend events like Saturday's.
"The automobiles that is driving, they are the ones that need their awareness raised,” Burg said. “If they ever rode on a bike then they would understand. Drop the cellphones, do away with all that because those are majority of the accidents, people cutting up and not paying attention."
The Texas Department of Transportation has pushed for campaigns like "Share the Road: Look Twice, Save a Life" to keep the roads safe.
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