The message to motorcycle riders at the 2006 Elko Motorcycle Jamboree was short and sweet: Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Sober. The message reminds riders of the rewards for responsible and safe behavior – the most important reward being their lives.

WHAT:     Local effort to encourage motorcycle safety as part of the national Responsibility Has Its Rewards campaign. Hundreds of riders made the pledge to ride safe by always wear a helmet, ride smart by following traffic laws, and ride sober by never riding drunk. Riders filmed their own safety message, receiving a copy on miniDVD. All riders that pledged were eligible to win a shirt with the message: “You Drink, You Ride, You Crash, You Die, Your ‘Ex’ Gets Your Bike…Bummer”

WHO:      Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety, Law Enforcement Agencies State-wide, Techniques in Effect Alcohol Management, (TEAM) Coalition, and Elko Motorcycle Jamboree 2006 organizing committee

WHEN:     Elko Motorcycle Jamboree 2006, June 16th – 18th in downtown Elko, NV

“We are proud to be affiliated with the Nevada Department of Public Safety and this program,” said Elko Chief of Police, Mike Smith. “Motorcycle safety keeps riders alive and allows all of us to enjoy great events like the Jamboree.”

Elko County Sheriff Neil Harris added, “Motorcycle safety, just like wearing your seat belt, following the speed limit, and avoiding reckless driving, saves lives. Programs like this along with all the efforts of Nevada Department of Public Safety throughout the year are critical to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the roadways.”

Under the national umbrella of the Responsibility Has Its Rewards campaign, the outreach at the Elko Motorcycle Jamboree is supported by TEAM Coalition (Techniques in Effective Alcohol Management). TEAM is a national non-profit alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers, the beer industry, broadcasters, governmental traffic safety experts, and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities. Jill Pepper Executive Director of TEAM shares, “TEAM is thrilled to join the Nevada Department of Public Safety in the motorcycle safety program. Rewarding responsible behavior is something TEAM supports proudly.”

The messages filmed throughout the weekend will be edited to produce Public Service Announcements for TV broadcast.

Click to view highlight reel from the event.

Click to view photos from the weekend's activities.

The Responsibility Has Its Rewards (RHIR) campaign is a national effort supported by NHTSA as well as the Coalition’s member organizations representing professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service partners, the beer industry, broadcasters, and others working together to promote responsible alcohol consumption and positive fan behavior - like always buckling up - at sports and entertainment facilities with valuable rewards.