The Two-Wheel Trauma concept was fashioned in early 1986 by three experienced EMS providers in rural Spencer, Iowa. Career paramedics Anita J. Bailey and Frank Prowant joined Slider Gilmore, a lifelong motorcyclist, and volunteer EMT, to develop the Two Wheel Trauma program.
The program’s sole purpose is to reduce the morbidity and mortality of motorcycle crashes through prevention and education. The three components are Rider Responsibilities, Accident Scene Management, and Two-Wheel Trauma continuing education for EMS providers.
Wayne Wierson, former A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa State Share the Road Coordinator, joined as faculty in 2005, presenting Share the Road at every Two-Wheel Trauma course.
Two Wheel Trauma “A concept to save lives”
How it all started
Dick "Slider" Gilmore: The Man Behind Motorcycle Emergency Training
When Dick “Slider” Gilmore found himself lying on the asphalt after a motorcycle crash in the mid-1980s, he realized something that would change the course of his life: the emergency personnel trying to assist him had no idea what they were dealing with. The experience left a deep impression, not just because of the pain and the trauma, but because of the utter lack of specialized knowledge on how to handle motorcycle accidents safely and effectively.
Drawing on his background in Basic Life Support (BLS) training, which he had been involved with since the 1970s, Slider saw a critical need for targeted education. Not only did he want to empower EMTs and first responders, but he also aimed to provide motorcyclists with the tools and knowledge they needed to help themselves and their fellow riders in the event of an accident. In 1986, he launched what would become a pioneering initiative in motorcyclist emergency training: Two Wheel Trauma (TWT).
When Dick “Slider” Gilmore found himself lying on the asphalt after a motorcycle crash in the mid-1980s, he realized something that would change the course of his life: the emergency personnel trying to assist him had no idea what they were dealing with. The experience left a deep impression, not just because of the pain and the trauma, but because of the utter lack of specialized knowledge on how to handle motorcycle accidents safely and effectively.
Drawing on his background in Basic Life Support (BLS) training, which he had been involved with since the 1970s, Slider saw a critical need for targeted education. Not only did he want to empower EMTs and first responders, but he also aimed to provide motorcyclists with the tools and knowledge they needed to help themselves and their fellow riders in the event of an accident. In 1986, he launched what would become a pioneering initiative in motorcyclist emergency training: Two Wheel Trauma (TWT).
Teaching Riders to Save Lives
Slider didn't stop at training emergency personnel. He knew that the first people on the scene of most motorcycle accidents are other riders. In response, he developed the Accident Scene Management (ASM) course, aimed at empowering motorcyclists themselves. ASM educates riders on what to do in the critical moments following a crash, with a strong focus on the “Golden Hour”—the first 60 minutes after an accident that can determine whether a victim lives or dies.
Riders learn how to control bleeding, manage shock, secure the scene, and interact effectively with emergency services. His goal? To transform motorcyclists into capable first responders, ensuring that they can provide immediate and informed assistance until professional help arrives. Slider’s presentations have educated thousands of riders in nearly every state, instilling a sense of confidence and preparedness in the motorcycle community.
