Inspiration to Create Rock the Gear

Inspiration for RocktheGear.org came from the similar visions and joint efforts of Brittany Morrow and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The MSF has been a long standing pillar in the industry and is synonymous with the brands we ride and wear. The efforts of the MSF date back to 1973 when the non-profit organization was formed, and has been internationally recognized and embraced ever since. Brittany’s vision began quite some time later after an unfortunate and extreme accident in 2005.  RocktheGear.org is a true collaboration between the “Gurus of Safety” and the “Queen of Road Rash.”

Brittany’s Inspiration

On September 25, 2005, Brittany was involved in a life changing sport bike accident as a passenger on a GSXR 750.  She spent two months in the hospital and received skin grafts on over 50 percent of her body.  Since the accident, pictures of her injuries and articles about her experience have been posted on over 200 motorcycle forums in the United States alone. 

Brittany’s original article on her accident, written in first person form, was published on SpeedFreakInc.com in October 2006, and received over one million hits (250,000 unique hits) within the first month. Since then, it has consistently received over 25,000 unique hits per month and is still receiving positive feedback from readers all over the globe.  Her personal account promotes and urges all riders and passengers to wear gear every time they ride.  Her story has touched millions, and to this day, Brittany is still receiving emails from new readers praising her for her efforts and encouraging her to continue spreading the message.

Brittany’s story has been embraced by the motorcycle community and re-published on several instances. Backroads Magazine printed Brittany’s personal account of the accident and her recovery in the December 2006 issue, which received positive feedback from both readers and dealership owners. A review of Brittany’s article was published in the Orlando Sentinel in January of 2007.  Portions of her article were also read on the air during a popular national radio talk show hosted by Neal Boortz, who was inclined to post a link to the article on his website after receiving hundreds of emails requesting the link to Brittany’s story. Not only has Brittany’s message reached Americans, but it has been translated into almost 20 different languages and spread across the globe.

Brittany was featured on the cover of the Dealernews supplement GEAR 2007 as a spokesperson for the well known phrase ATGATT; All the gear, all the time and Icon Motorsports. Her story could be found inside as the premier article of the issue, with 6 pages focusing on her experiences and accomplishments.  She was also featured in the centerfold of the issue; a poster promoting safety gear for all riders and passengers. The poster has been seen on the walls of many dealerships and privately owned shops all over the US since the publication of the issue in June of 2007.  Brittany has been asked to appear as a special guest at the Dealernews Dealer Expo in 2008 for her involvement with the publication. She will be taking part in the Top 100 Gala, classes for dealership owners, and autograph signing sessions alongside some of the industry’s best known riders.

Here is what some have to say about Brittany’s message and her efforts to make it known worldwide:

“This is the kind of story you will read and remember for the rest of you life.”
Published by SpeedFreakInc.com, October 4, 2006.

“Sometime last week I read portions of an article by Brittany Morrow entitled ‘Extreme Roadrash: Cause, Effect, and Lesson Learned.’ What I read was merely a part of the story of a young pretty blond who came off the back of a motorcycle at high speed wearing no protective gear other than a helmet.  Since then I’ve received hundreds of emails asking for a link to the site where that story goes.”
Neal Boortz, National Talk Radio Host, October 16, 2006.

“This may be the most important story you’ll ever tell your customers.”
Excerpt from ‘Meet a Road Rash Survivor’ by Guido Ebert, GEAR Helmet and Apparel Handbook 2007.

“Brittany’s accident, like most, began in a pretty mundane fashion. How many times have you seen riders show up at your place of business with just a helmet, shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of athletic shoes? That’s basically what Brittany had on when she collided with the pavement. I usually just wear a pair of jeans.  The pullout poster inside this issue illustrates clearly, even after more than a year, what pavement can do to skin. Maybe it’s time to practice what I preach.”
Excerpts from GEAR 2007 Editorial by Mike Vaughn, Publisher of Dealernews.

“I just wanted to say that you are really awesome. When I started to ride my boyfriend’s CBR, he had me read your article, and even though I already rode with my gear all the time, I vowed I would never EVER ride without gear, and I always tried to encourage the stubborn guys to wear their gear too. Honestly, the article made me cry, which might sound lame. You are truly an inspiration, especially to a beginning girl rider! Keep doing what you’re doing and THANK YOU for being a positive influence on everyone!!!!”
Excerpt from a personal email written to Brittany from Tauni in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Due to the overwhelming response to her story, Brittany has dedicated her life to the promotion of motorcycle safety apparel and the education of riders regarding this important aspect of the sport.  She has worked with several companies, groups, dealerships, and web communities to spread her message to riders everywhere.  Her most recent partnership is with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, to create a web based campaign urging all riders to “Rock the Gear.”

RocktheGear.org is solely funded by the MSF through the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety grant program. The campaign is created, designed, and managed by Brittany and a small dedicated team of professionals and motivated riders. The mission is simple: to produce a community where information is available, influence is abundant, and the choice to ROCK THE GEAR is supported and rewarded.

To read Brittany’s testimonal, written a year after her accident, please CLICK HERE.