‘Arrive Alive’: East Texas bikers gather to share how they stay safe on Texas roads(Mellie Valencia)
LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) – More than 500 motorcyclists died on Texas roads in 2025, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Another 2,400 were seriously injured. For riders in East Texas, those numbers aren’t just statistics – they’re a reminder of what’s at stake every time they start their engines.
A 14-Year-Old Who Already Knows the Stakes
Before Ryland Dooley ever swings a leg over a motorcycle, he runs through a checklist. Tire pressure. Helmet. Gloves. The right shoes. The right pants.
He’s only 14 years old.
His father, Christian Dooley, rides with the Guardians of the Children – a group that advocates for abused kids and logs serious miles doing it. Before every group ride, they don’t just saddle up and go. They run a full inspection.
“We actually have our sergeant-at-arms go through – he’s got extensive experience in motorcycle mechanics – and he’ll look for mechanical defects to make sure we’re safe for every ride,” Christian said. “And our road captain will plan our routes and look for hazards we can mitigate as much as possible.”
The group’s motto says it all: arrive alive.
“Safety for us is paramount in not just what we do with the children on our bikes, but with ourselves in order to be there for the children,” Christian said. “We have to arrive alive.”
There’s Safety in Numbers
Steve Baker, President of the Blue Knights Pineywoods Chapter – a law enforcement biker group – says riding in a group isn’t just about camaraderie. It’s a survival strategy.
“We’re more visible. You got more headlights out there. You’re spread out amongst the lane,” Baker said. “I have found over the years that we have a lot less close calls in groups than we do riding by ourselves or in pairs.”
But even in a group, Baker says riders can never let their guard down. He approaches every ride with a simple mindset.
“Every time I pull out on the highway, I just assume everybody out there is trying to kill me,” Baker said. “Motorcycles are very deceptive on how fast they’re actually moving. You might think you can make it – but maybe not.”
Baker says intersections and private driveways are especially dangerous, because drivers get complacent and often fail to spot smaller vehicles. Blind spots are another major hazard – one he says falls on both drivers and riders to manage.
“We got to be cognitive to stay out of people’s blind spots so they can see us,” he said.
‘Arrive Alive’: East Texas bikers gather to share how they stay safe on Texas roads(Mellie Valencia)When Gear Makes the Difference
Mike Dagiss knows firsthand what proper gear can do. His wife crashed at a rally earlier this year. She walked away with only a broken wrist – because she was wearing the right equipment.
“If she didn’t have her helmet on and safety gear or anything like that, it would have been worse than that,” Mike said.
Now, Mike rides long distance in a full-face helmet, every time.
The message from East Texas riders isn’t just for fellow bikers – it’s for everyone behind the wheel.
Christian Dooley’s ask for drivers is simple:
“Please look twice. Even if it takes you another second, you may save a motorcyclist’s life.”
‘Arrive Alive’: East Texas bikers gather to share how they stay safe on Texas roads(Mellie Valencia)
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