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Taunton motorcyclist teaches safety first to riders
By Laura O'Neill, Enterprise correspondent
TAUNTON— Since he was a child, Derek Sinclair, 40, has been fascinated with motorcycles.
“I got my first bike when I was 15 years old,” said Sinclair, who is originally from London, England, and has lived in Taunton for the past three years. “It's the freedom, I guess. You are on your own with your thoughts when you are riding.”
Sinclair, now a nationally certified motorcycle instructor, recently appeared in a 30-second TV commercial that promotes motorcycle safety.
Budgeted by the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles, the ad was filmed on June 30 on Federal Street in Boston and in the Blue Hills Reservation.
“It was just a very interesting experience. They closed off a road in Boston — Federal Street. It was just like being on a movie set. They had a hospitality trailer, a special camera and sound equipment. It was very cool to see how a commercial was shot,” said Sinclair, who said he was approached by Eugene Carabine, the state's representative for the motorcycle rider education program, to appear in the commercial.
“They were looking for someone to ride a sport bike in a new commercial promoting the state's motorcycle safety course. Because of my racing experience and the fact that I am an MSF instructor, he approached me to be in the commercial. I was excited to do it. I thought it was a great opportunity,” said Sinclair, who said he raced Superbike for seven years, but has since retired.
Sinclair said the commercial was directed by Emmy Award winner Lucas Guerra, founder and part-owner of Argus, a marketing company in Boston.
“I rode my motorcycle around some cars in an aggressive manner in order to portray the way a rider who was inexperienced or doesn't know his limits might ride,” said Sinclair, who used his own motorcycle, a 2003 Ducati 999S, an Italian Super bike, in the ad.
“I used my truck (a 2003 Dodge Ram black pickup) in the second part of the commercial. We demonstrated the near-miss on a country road, when a motorcycle crosses the yellow line,” said Sinclair, who said that part of the commercial was filmed in the Blue Hills Reservation on a winding country road. “It was a road that we could get blocked off for the afternoon. It doesn't have too much traffic.”
Sinclair said he felt it was an honor to be asked to appear in the commercial.
“I feel that it was a privilege for me to do it. If it helps to save a life, or helps to save a motorcycle accident, then it's well worth it. I'm very glad to have been part of it,” said Sinclair.
Sinclair said sports motorcycles have become increasingly popular today, and riders should consider taking a safety course.
“The sports motorcycles have really taken off in the past couple of years and these really are race bikes for the street. If people really want to race and speed on their bikes, they should consider going out and taking a track course, where they can ride as fast as they want in a safe controlled environment, explore the capabilities of their bike, and hone their performance riding skills,” said Sinclair.
“The point of the commercial is to make motorcyclists consider if they really know their limits on the road and to make them consider possibly doing a state motorcycles safety course. It's aimed towards all riders,” said Sinclair.
“The safety course teaches you to be aware of traffic around you and to be aware of cars. A biker never wins in a motorcycle and car crash. Most motorcycle fatalities are caused by a car turning left in front of a bike. That's what kills most motorcyclists in most multi-vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle, a car turning left,” said Sinclair.
“Look twice, look for bikes. Car drivers don't see bikes. Your mind is on other things. Sometimes people just don't see them. This course teaches these things.”
At this time, Sinclair said he is not sure when the commercial will air.
Sinclair and his wife, Beth, recently welcomed a son, who was born on July 20 at Brigham and Woman's Hospital.
Originally Posted by 5TOEZ
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