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Scott O'Sullivan

The Last Ride: A Novel by Dennis “Poet” Tye

August 30, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott O'Sullivan - The O'Sullivan Law Firm, motorcycle accident attorneys
Scott O’Sullivan, Founder Rider Justice and The O’Sullivan Law Firm

Dennis Tye is an avid motorcyclist. He is also an avid movie buff. AND he is also an avid writer. A few years ago, it hit him that those three worlds needed to merge so that he could fill what he saw as a glaring hole in American fiction and cinema.

“I watch a lot of movies and I realized that there are no movies about people my age and there are very few good motorcycle movies,” says Dennis. “Usually, motorcycle movies are about wild hogs, or the bikers are all drunks, or there’s slapstick humor. I thought that we needed a good movie to share what it’s really like to ride on the open road. But before you can have a movie, you need a good book. So, I decided to write that book.”

The Last Ride Story

The Last Ride, published in 2015, tells the story of six men who have all received terminal medical diagnoses. They are all dying. The men decide to embark on their last ride together.

Dennis says that he wanted to tell a good story but he had two deeper goals: 

To share the brotherhood of bikers and what it’s like to be included in such a sacred bond, and

To share what it’s like to ride a motorcycle out on the open road.

“Riding a motorcycle is so different from riding in car, a bus or a plane,” says Dennis. “But it is darn next to impossible to capture that feeling. I wanted to share what it’s like to drive down a country road, with the sun coming through the leaves, the smell of grass and trees, the scent of barbeque on the air, people walking by, kids getting excited when they see your bike. It’s just an amazing feeling.”

Dennis says that, once he sat down to write, it only took him about six months to complete the book. His wife, Lauren Preston, helped edit it. (She sobbed when the characters she loved faced difficulties and she asked Dennis, “Why did you do this to him?!”)

Developing realistic characters was initially hard for Dennis, but he decided to imagine real people as he wrote, which helped break his writer’s block.

“I thought James Brolin was perfect for the main character and Trace Adkins would be the perfect Tony, who is big and brawny but has a gentle heart,” says Dennis. “As soon as I pictured my characters as those guys, it was a lot easier to write.”

Dennis has been writing his entire life. He says poetry is a form of therapy for him. His dad, who Dennis describes as “an amazing painter,” once said to Dennis, “You do with words what I do with paint.”

“That’s the best complement I ever received,” says Dennis.

Movie Potential

It would be fantastic if The Last Ride were turned into a movie, but Dennis knows it’s a stretch. He’s hoping to give a copy to Trace Adkins during an upcoming concert, just to see if he might help advocate for a movie. In the meantime, Dennis is already at work on his next novel. It’s called, One Foot in the Grave, and it’s about the motorcycle accident that took his leg and nearly took his life. That book should be published in December 2019.

To get a copy of The Last Ride, email Dennis Tye directly at djtye@sbcglobal.net.

Filed Under: Community, Magazine, Perspective Tagged With: 09/19, Book, Dennis Tye, The Last Ride

Colorado Motorcyclists Can Now Proceed Through “Dead Red” Lights

July 29, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott O'Sullivan - The O'Sullivan Law Firm, motorcycle accident attorneys
Scott O’Sullivan

Motorcyclists who have faced the frustration of sitting at “dead red” lights in Colorado have reason to celebrate! The Colorado State Legislature has passed a bill allowing bikers to proceed through malfunctioning lights. The law takes effect on August 2, 2019. However, as with all laws, there are important details that bikers should be aware of in order to take advantage of this new law properly.

I spoke with Bruce Downs, State Coordinator for ABATE of Colorado, about this new law. Bruce has been an advocate and champion for new red light laws in Colorado and he has many insights about this new legislation.

Why Are Dead Red Laws Necessary?

Because today’s streets are so “smart,” sensors are now in charge of when traffic lights change. Today, there are two kinds of sensors that alert traffic lights when someone has stopped at an intersection. Unfortunately, they don’t always pick up light-weight vehicles.

How Do Traffic Lights Know to Change?

  • Over-the-Pavement Sensors: These sensors include motion-sensing cameras, lasers and infrared fields. Over-the-pavement sensors are designed to “see” vehicles that reach a certain point in the intersection and they are often very good at picking up small vehicles, like motorcycles, bicycles and scooters.
  • In-Pavement Sensors: These sensors are typically the culprit when it comes to dead red lights for motorcycles. In-pavement sensors usually rely on a vehicle’s weight or metal mass to trigger a scale or magnet. You can sometimes tell if an in-pavement sensor has been added to a road because the asphalt has been cut into a circle or square. Beneath that slab of asphalt lies the sensor.

Not only is it annoying for bikers to wait at dead red lights, according to Bruce, it can also be dangerous.

“As we pointed out in testimony, if you’re stuck at a left-hand turn lane and you finally go ahead and make the turn, you’ve made an illegal turn. The other option can be even worse. Sometimes, we have to take a right-hand turn, go down that road and make a U-turn where it’s legal, then go back the other way to cross the intersection. This exposes us to much more danger.”

Bruce says he is aware of many lights that literally never change when a motorcycle is waiting to make a left-hand turn because there’s no oncoming cross traffic. 

“A prime example is a light at Highway 83 and Douglas County Line Road,” says Bruce. “There is a light there, and if nobody comes to cross the traffic, it will stay green forever. There are no turn arrows, no crosswalk, nothing.”

New Law Allows CO Motorcyclists to Proceed Through Malfunctioning Light

Senate Bill 19-144, titled “Concerning Allowing a Driver of a Motorcycle to Proceed Past a Malfunctioning Traffic Control Signal,” was sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D) and states:

“(1)(a)When a driver approaches an intersection and faces a traffic control signal that is inoperative, that remains on steady red or steady yellow during several time cycles, or that does not recognize a motorcycle that is operated by the driver, the provisions controlling entrance to a through street or highway from a stop sign or highway, as provided under section 42-4-703, apply until a police officer assumes control of traffic or until the traffic control signal resumes normal operation.

“(b)If a traffic control signal at a place other than an intersection ceases to operate or malfunctions as specified in subsection (1)(a) of this section, drivers may proceed past the signal only with caution, as if the signal were flashing yellow.”

In plain English, Bruce restates the law like this: “If a light doesn’t recognize a motorcycle, the driver may proceed as though it is a four-way stop or a blinking yellow.”

However, the law does not require that motorcyclists wait a specified period of time before making this decision, as Bruce had hoped. 

“We had requested a two-minute timeframe,” explains Bruce. “If the light didn’t change after two minutes, then the biker would have the legal right to proceed with caution. The new law doesn’t require a specific time limit. It’s just up to the biker to say, ‘The light didn’t recognize me.’”

Clearly, this law leaves a lot of room for interpretation by both motorcyclists and law enforcement, which Bruce was trying to avoid. 

Interpreting the New Colorado Dead Red Law

This new law allowing bikers to proceed through red lights could be abused by bikers. For example, a biker might ride up to a red light, wait 15 seconds, and make a left-hand turn. If he says, “It didn’t recognize me,” can he be ticketed for violating the law?

Bruce encourages bikers to follow the intention of the law and not to abuse it.

“I live near the intersection at Iliff and Havana and it’s a longer turn signal than I’d like but I know it works,” says Bruce. “I’ve only seen it malfunction twice in 18 years, but I know it works. I’m not going to abuse this new law and run that light just because I have to wait longer than I want.”

On the flip side, as Bruce makes clear, this law will make bikers safer.

“We can stop at a light and, if it does not recognize us, we do have a legal option to treat it as a four-way stop and go on our way,” he says. “This makes us safer because we don’t have to look for right turns on red or make dangerous U-turns. It’s little things like this that prevent frustration which leads to dangerous choices on a motorcycle.”

There are also concerns that law enforcement may not honor or properly enforce this new law. 

For example, if a motorcycle pulls up to a light and it doesn’t recognize him, he may proceed through the light. If law enforcement is coming from another direction and doesn’t see the malfunctioning signal, or if he sees a car recognized and believes the light is not malfunctioning, then the biker may get a ticket.

Time will tell how well this law works.

Turning Left Across a Dead Red Intersection

Because I have seen so many bikers hurt and killed when making left-hand turns, I strongly caution you to wait as long as possible before turning left across oncoming traffic when you’re sitting at a dead red light. If you get hit, it will be your fault because you shouldn’t have turned in the first place. (That’s why nearly every state with dead red laws requires motorcyclists to come to a complete stop and proceed only when it’s safe: the onus is on the motorcyclists to assure his or her own safety.)

As a Denver personal injury attorney, I am very curious to hear from bikers who receive tickets for proceeding through malfunctioning signals. I want to know if this new law is properly understood by both bikers and police. Call or text me if you receive a ticket for proceeding through a dead red light after August 2, 2019. (303-388-5304)

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 08/19, Bruce Downs, dead red light, Scott O'Sullivan

Freedom Fest Delivers it all: Food, Fun, Rock & Roll!

July 2, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott O’Sullivan, founder of Rider Justice & The O’Sullivan Law Firm

This year’s 5th annual Colorado Freedom Festival was an extravaganza like never before! The event’s goal is to gather people to honor military veterans and to thank them for their service. Every year, proceeds go to benefit veteran’s charities. This year, in addition to benefiting The American Soldier Network, this year Freedom Fest also included Colorado Fallen Heroes Foundation, a charity that serves the families of fallen police officers.

Without question, the venue change to Jefferson County Fairgrounds was a great move by Dean Gary, event organizer. JeffCo offered space enough for the crowd and vendors alike to spread out and get comfortable. Thousands of attendees brought lawn chairs or blankets and kicked back across wide swaths of green grass to enjoy the show.

The bands that performed this year were just over the top:

  • Queensryche
  • Extreme
  • Great White
  • Steel Heart
  • Vixen

With local bands:

  • Straight Six
  • Lotus Gait
  • Rhoar

Time between sets was just long enough to make runs to one of the dozens of beer and food vendors. We heard over and over again how great the craft brews tasted!

Matthew won tickets to Freedom Fest from Rider Justice.

In fact, so much was better this year because of the additional space that it makes it hard to even compare to past years. Access to food and beverage seemed much more steam-lined and lines so much shorter! The whiskey tasting at the entrance was a treat for all connoisseurs and a sign that the event is growing in sophistication.

At our Rider Justice tent, we collected registrations to give away another customized Yeti cooler. With the heat of summer kicking in the cooler was a hit! We had lots of activity and had a wonderful time meeting new people and spreading the word about our services to the biker community. We handed out buckets of sunscreen to protect the crowd from the blazing sun and even more koozies to help keep their drinks cold!

Next to our booth was BikerDown! Always our favorite non-profit, we were proud to share our space. Wide Open Saloon ran the show by sharing the good work BikerDown does for the community as well as selling raffle tickets for a pristine 2017 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. Wide Open Saloon is giving 100% of the raffle sales to BikerDown. If you missed grabbing raffle tickets at Freedom Fest, don’t worry! Raffle tickets can be purchased online here.

A big “thank you” to Dennis Tye, Lauren Preston, and Russ Young for their generous help at our booth. They have such big hearts and already do so much philanthropic work in our rider community, that we know how lucky we are to receive a bit of their time.

And a big, warm “thank-you” to Dean Gary. It takes heart to put in so much time and energy, year after year, to create an event of this magnitude.

“The biggest impact – the real reason I do this—is to let soldiers know they’re loved,” he says. “When soldiers can stand in a crowd of thousands, where people are hugging them and telling them they are loved… that can save lives. Love can save lives. That’s why we don’t quit after the years I lose money. When someone tells you that they didn’t take their life, nothing can replace that.”

Filed Under: Concert, Magazine Tagged With: 07/19, Freedom Fest, Rider Justice

Rider Justice Has Created a New Car Game to Raise Awareness of Bikers

June 5, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

“I grew up playing Punch Buggy or Slug Bug, punching my sibling every time we spotted a VW bug,” says Scott O’Sullivan, founder of Rider Justice and owner of The O’Sullivan Law Firm. “I’ve always wanted to create a game for kids that raised awareness of motorcyclists and even bicyclists on the road.”

[Read more…] about Rider Justice Has Created a New Car Game to Raise Awareness of Bikers

Filed Under: Community, Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 06/19, BikerDown, O'Sullivan Law, PSA, Rider Justice, Rider Up!, Scott O'Sullivan

Munky Mark Found His Life’s Mission with Bikers

June 5, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Munky Mark Berman is a man who found his calling 50 years ago and held on with both hands (on the handlebars)!

[Read more…] about Munky Mark Found His Life’s Mission with Bikers

Filed Under: Business, Magazine, Promotion Tagged With: 06/19, Motorcycle Transport, Munky Mark, Scott O'Sullivan, Services

If Your Friend Goes Down, Could You Help?

May 2, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

When I founded Rider Justice, I had many goals but, first and foremost, I want to make it safer for bikers to ride! We accomplish this through several efforts, including legislative advocacy (let’s end texting and driving!), and also by helping riders make sure they have the right motorcycle insurance (auto drivers don’t carry enough to cover the injuries they cause).

[Read more…] about If Your Friend Goes Down, Could You Help?

Filed Under: Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 05/19, ABATE, ASM, BikerDown, Don Enninga, Rider Justice, Scott O'Sullivan

Freedom Fest: Behind the Scenes

May 2, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

I have met a lot of remarkable people in my life, but right now I stand in awe of Dean Gary, founder and organizer of Freedom Fest, an event that celebrates the men and women who serve in our country’s military forces.

[Read more…] about Freedom Fest: Behind the Scenes

Filed Under: Concert, Events, Magazine Tagged With: 05/19, Danny Masters, Dean Gary, Extreme, Freedom Fest, Great White, Jacob Cade, Lotus Gait, Queensryche, Rhoar, Rider Justice, Romero, Scott O'Sullivan, Steel Heart, Straight Six, Veterans, Vixen

How to Build a Motorcycle First Aid Kit

April 3, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott O’Sullivan

Everyone who rides a motorcycle on our roads should be prepared with some basic supplies in case they ever become injured or stranded. But, while it’s easy to pack a bunch of first aid supplies and emergency gear into a car, bikers have to downsize a lot, which is hard!

[Read more…] about How to Build a Motorcycle First Aid Kit

Filed Under: Magazine, Safety Tagged With: 04/19, BikerDown, Rider Safety, Road Guardians, Scott O'Sullivan, Trauma Kit

Preventing Distracted Driving Accidents: I Am the Only Personal Injury Attorney in The Room

March 12, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Personal Injury Attorney Scott O'Sullivan speaks in favor of distracted driving laws in Colorado.For over three years, I have been working with Colorado Senator Lois Court to make Colorado’s roads safer through legislation to reduce distracted driving. Thankfully, we’re making tremendous progress and 2019 could be an important year in our fight to end texting-while-driving in Colorado. [Read more…] about Preventing Distracted Driving Accidents: I Am the Only Personal Injury Attorney in The Room

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine, Perspective Tagged With: 03/19, Accident Scene Management, ASM, Colorado Legislation, Legal, Perspective, Rider Justice, Scott O'Sullivan

Distracted Driving in Colorado: I’m Still Fighting the Good Fight

February 2, 2019 By Scott O'Sullivan Leave a Comment

Scott talks with Susan Dane before testifying in favor of SB19-012 on January 24, 2019.

For several years now, I have been working with Susan Dane of CORD
and with Colorado Senator Lois Court to end distracted driving in Colorado. We’ve had some successes: it is now illegal to text while driving in Colorado and we were able to increase the fines last year to levels that should change behaviors. [Read more…] about Distracted Driving in Colorado: I’m Still Fighting the Good Fight

Filed Under: Legal, Magazine, Perspective Tagged With: 02/19, CORD, Legal, Perspective, Rider Justice, Scott O'Sullivan, Westword

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