Local Tulsa author stresses motorcycle safety

With our warmer weather, more motorcycle riders will hit Oklahoma roads. And it's hoped those riders, and other drivers think safety. Tulsa author Michael Wallis doesn't want anyone to go through

Thursday, March 25th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

With our warmer weather, more motorcycle riders will hit Oklahoma roads. And it's hoped those riders, and other drivers think safety. Tulsa author Michael Wallis doesn't want anyone to go through what happened to him.

About a year and a half ago, he was severely injured when a distracted driver pulled out in front of him. Five surgeries and lots of months of rehabilitation followed. Wallis says he would have been killed if he wasn't wearing a helmet. "When I played high school and college football and baseball, I wouldn't walk out on the field without a helmet on. When I was a Marine Corps platoon sergeant, I lived in a helmet. Why would I climb on a 700 plus pound, gnarly Harley without a helmet on, it just doesn't make sense."

Wallis says the best way to keep safe is for car drivers and bike riders to be alert.