POWERGRAMS

11 Not your granddad's retirement Since his April 2013 retirement from Miller Electric Generating Plant, Baker has devoted much of his spare time to helping educate people about the importance of motorcycle safety. Baker has been a member of the Hueytown chapter of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) for more than 30 years. Since its founding in 1977, GWRRA has grown to more than 72,000 U.S., Canadian and international members, with more than 800 chapters that encourage safe, enjoyable riding. Alabama has 14 GWRRA chapters. "We promote a positive image of motorcycling," said Baker, GWRAA's state officer for membership enhancement. Leadership is natural for Baker, whose outgoing personality and engaging disposition were handy while he was the operations specialist in charge of Plant Miller's Auxiliary Operators Training Program, his last role at the company. "Our rider education program, Riding Safely and Sharing the Road, helps keep motorcycle riders and drivers cognizant on the road," said Baker, who sports neon yellow or green clothing and gloves while motorcycling. "We want people to see us. If they see you, they're more likely to respect your position. "I tell people we're all sharing the road," he said. "It gives a different perspective when people consider that a car is about 7- or 8-feet wide, and a motorcycle is about 3-feet wide. It's harder to judge the speed of a motorcycle at a distance because it's smaller." Baker's goal is to make the motorcycling environment safer by increasing riders' knowledge, safety skills and awareness, thereby reducing injuries and fatalities. "I believe that you get to be a beer defensive driver on a motorcycle because you've got to be aware of where you are," he said. "You have to stay out of people's blind spots." At least once a year, Baker is among GWRAA members who converge on Alabama Welcome Centers statewide, urging drivers to watch out for motorcycles and sharing the message, "Look twice, save a life." While handing out pamphlets, Baker discusses safety strategies with parents and children. "We teach kids a game to count the motorcycles out there, which helps make them more aware about the need to look out for motorcycle drivers," he said. "It's a fun game that reminds me of the old game where you'd try to count every Volkswagen Beetle you saw." The GWRRA provides social activities, too. Baker enjoys get-togethers at a Hueytown diner with other members on the third Friday each month and visiting chapters around the state. "I like to say, 'We ride to eat, we eat to ride,'" Baker said with a laugh. "If there's a Dairy Queen around, we know how to get there. A lot of us go out for an ice cream sundae aer meetings." The Hueytown chapter is among many GWRRA groups that hold motorcycle fundraisers for charities. In March, Hueytown members rode to Ozark – some three hours and 180 miles away – to support the Dothan Retiree Baker has driven Gold Wings more than 30 years.

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