Motorcycle article rubs me the wrong way...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
In the last eight years, I have rode on to four motorcycle accidents that required an ambulance. Each one was a rider who lost control riding on a curve, or rode off the curve to be more accurate. I also track motorcycle accidents in this state and the majority are accidents are riders who lost control on curves. A person I work with husband was killed last month taking an underpass on ramp to fast at 2 am in the morning and hit the wall. We had one rider a couple years ago who lost control on a overpass on ramp. He hit the wall and fell another 30 feet in traffic into traffic on the highway below. This very problem was hammered into our heads at Motorcycle Safety School, so the statistic doesn't surprise me at all. I am sure car drivers have the same problem but cars are much more forgiving in slowing down without losing total control. Tractor Trailer rigs are a different story, but I digress.
Not that cages aren’t a problem as well, I have certainly had my fair share of close calls.
Beary
Not that cages aren’t a problem as well, I have certainly had my fair share of close calls.
Beary
If you didn't get in an accident, in your scenario the ice cream is accountable for 100% of the accidents.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 1
From: Silverdale, WA
In Washington state the number one killer is failure to negotiate a curve. We stress this in the MSF courses, it isn't working. We also stress drunk riding as a cause of fatalities and injuries, also not working. Protective clothing (beyond helmets) is stressed as a prevention to injury, it isn't working. Motorcyclists can be their own worst enemy.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 839
Likes: 6
From: Virginia
In Washington state the number one killer is failure to negotiate a curve. We stress this in the MSF courses, it isn't working. We also stress drunk riding as a cause of fatalities and injuries, also not working. Protective clothing (beyond helmets) is stressed as a prevention to injury, it isn't working. Motorcyclists can be their own worst enemy.
I'll put my flame suit on, but I think motorcycle safety classes should be required before anyone gets a motorcycle license. We require drivers to take Drivers Ed and Behind the Wheel, but anyone can get a license by passing a parking lot road test on a motorcycle.
Since I'm already on a soapbox, I'll add that it's insane all motorcycles aren't required to have anti-lock brakes. The technology is out there and is reliable. People can say what they want, but all the data proves they save lives on motorcycles. Helmets are another one.....they are 100 times more important than seatbelts yet we have large groups of people lobbying to repeal helmet laws.
Have you guys seen the videos of those crazy bikers in NY and MD? Huge groups of thugs disregarding traffic laws and common sense. Motorcyclists are their own worst enemy.....but they don't have to be.
Last edited by dgreen1069; Mar 31, 2014 at 12:16 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,888
From: Newcastle, OK
I'm curious how they arrived at those numbers.
For instance, a car pulls out in front of a motorcycle, the motorcycle swerves to avoid the car and goes down, is that still considered a single vehicle accident?
If a motorcycle hit a deer and crashes, is that considered a single vehicle accident as well? It really shouldn't be since there was an outside influence.
For instance, a car pulls out in front of a motorcycle, the motorcycle swerves to avoid the car and goes down, is that still considered a single vehicle accident?
If a motorcycle hit a deer and crashes, is that considered a single vehicle accident as well? It really shouldn't be since there was an outside influence.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 14
From: Fla
Statistics are not proof of anything, except for the counting of known occurrences. And, even that is only IF the records were not in error, or manipulated in some way...
Last edited by Def Mute; Mar 31, 2014 at 12:52 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,170
From: SE Michigan
Also, the insurance companies will tell you that sport bikes are statistically worse than touring/cruising bikes.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Believe what ya want, but motorcycles are dangerous. They don't stand up by themselves and if ya fall over on one, you're gonna get hurt (no matter the speed). A tar strip or sand on a bike can put ya down where ya wouldn't even know it happened in a car. I have gone down lots of times, all by myself and not only in the dirt. Most everybody I know that has gone down (almost every one), it was their fault. Only two types of riders; Those that are gonna go down and Those that are gonna go down again. Dress for the crash and try not to fall down.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
Oh man! I can see it now. Baskin Robbins only allowed in Colorado and Oregon...