Seeing The Invisible Motorcycle by Dr. Stephen M. Shaw - Book Review
Maverick - Jun 2, 2011

Doc Shaw is a motorcycle enthusiast with 35 years of motorcycle riding experience; 5 years as a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Motorcycle Rider Coach and Traffic School Instructor.  He teaches advanced on-road riding skills to inexperienced riders. Dr. Shaw volunteers time to the local high school driver’s education classes introducing new drivers to motorcycle awareness. Doc Shaw is dedicated to improving motorcycle safety.

Seeing the Invisible Motorcycle was written for driver education instructors looking to concisely enhance knowledge of high-risk automobile-motorcycle conflicts that students will encounter as new drivers. The book outlines the primary contributing factors that commonly lead to crashes between automobiles and motorcycles; how to recognize high-risk locations and situations where crashes are most likely to occur; and how to train drivers to locate and avoid motorcycle conflicts in the chaos of traffic.

Each of the 25 topics presents a synopsis of the pertinent points to discuss with students. In addition, suggested class discussions and exercises are located at the end of each section. References, Index and Student Knowledge Questions are included at the end of the book.  A Power Point presentation is included and corresponds with each topic.

Bonus resources:

1) DVD with a library of graphic images of crashes and physical injuries that crash victims often sustain.

2) A second Power Point presentation of traffic and driving tips for classroom use.

The book is easy to follow and designed to promote learning. Instructors can use any or all chapters of Seeing the Invisible Motorcycle depending on needs and objectives for a given class or student. While chapters build on the preceding chapters, each stands alone and provides the instructor with a resource to focus on each subject.

Doc Shaw is an innovative and practical author with a capacity to use his words and metaphors to create lasting impressions for students in a learning environment. By way of examples:

“Behind the simple facts of each crash is a victim and their family, friends and coworkers left to worry or worse, grieve. There is rarely a follow up story about paralysis, surgeries or the funeral.”

“A fall onto asphalt at 35 miles per hour will shred jeans, tee shirts and remove tattoos faster than you can snap your fingers twice.”

The points presented and discussed in this book are based on facts and reported research and the author clearly separates facts from fiction. Hence students are assured they can rely with confidence on the lessons as presented.

Seeing The Invisible Motorcycle is one of the best presentations available to assist new and experienced drivers in understanding some of the challenges of sharing the road with motorcycles and other road users for that matter.   In addition to new drivers and students in driver’s education, this book has value as an educational resource for numerous audiences and vehicle operators.

Seeing the Invisible Motorcycle by Dr. Stephen M. Shaw can be purchased for $19.95 by calling 775-329-2888 or by contacting Dr. Shaw by email at invisiblemotorcycle1@gmail.com.