If you want a safe sport, take up badminton. Riding motorcycles is just not a safe endeavor. In many cases, the danger comes not from the rider herself but from other drivers who just don’t see the motorcyclist. On Sunday, WBRE reported a motorcycle accident on State Route 11 in Larksville. Here you had a bright, sunny day, good visibility, and still an accident involving a motorcycle.
Recently, Karen Dussinger from Penn Dot sent me a link to a very informative Web site: www.livefreeridealive.com. This site is owned and sponsored by Penn Dot and has tons of information that I’d like to share with you today. Please do check out the site; it’s very informative. The most interesting part is the documentary video being produced and the stories from individual riders. You can add your own story as well.
Some facts from the sites facts and figures page:
“In 2008 there were 4,193 wrecks, 4,077 injuries and 237 deaths in Pennsylvania.” This is a lot of accidents, even for as large a state as ours. The site also points out that “Per vehicle mile traveled, bikers are about 35 times more likely to die in a crash than people driving in cars.” These are sobering statistics.
With the weather finally getting to a more comfortable riding temperature, the number of bikes out on the road has increased exponentially in the past few weeks. This also increases the likelihood of accidents involving motorcycles. Most automobile drivers are not used to looking out for motorcycles yet.
I shot a Facebook note to some of my friends to see how they have fared with accidents and got the following responses:
From Pat Gallagher (East Coast Biker Chicks), who has been riding 10 years as a driver. Accident: “If a van backing up into me at a red light counts, then yes.” Did you take a course? “I took the (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) class and wholeheartedly believe in it and motorcycle safety. I think everyone can benefit from it, most especially new riders. Personally, I prefer to wear a helmet as well.” Me too Pat!
From Cheryl Wroblewski-Hilstolsky, who has been on bikes for nine years. Accidents? “Accident, yes, cause, (slippery pavement). … Couldn’t stop in enough time, and the bike fishtailed!” Regarding motorcycle safety: “You can never be over-prepared, and I recommend it to any rider.” Has she taken a course? “Yes, and I’m always open to suggestion to riding more safely. .. .You actually might learn a thing or two. … I did!”
From John Saraka: “I learned to ride a dirt bike when I was 13 (I’m 50 now). Rode a street bike in 1985-1988, was in an accident and broke my collarbone. Accident was my fault, cruising through Tijuana and Tecate (if you know what I mean) on a Sunday afternoon; thank God I decided to put my helmet on about 30 minutes before the accident. Rode sporadically after that. I started riding again in 2003 and bought my first Harley. Yes, I have been to motorcycle safety school. I would highly recommend it to any rider at any experience level. My last safety course was Spring of 2008. (Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club) coordinated a group ‘experienced rider’ course.”
The Live Free Ride Alive site also has a very interesting graphic that it got from Google Earth (which apparently knows everything). According to this map, Luzerne County is in the lower third of the state for accidents — good news there — and surrounding counties come out fairly close. Lackawanna is also in the lower third; Columbia, Schuylkill, Carbon and Monroe are all in the middle third, with Wyoming in the upper third and Sullivan, Bradford and Susquehanna with no accidents reported in 2008.
Some other interesting facts about “why we crash” can also be found on the site. Did you know that “72 percent of fatalities in riders age 40- 49 involved alcohol”? If drinking and driving is dangerous with four wheels and a car around you, imagine just how dangerous it is with only two wheels and a helmet to protect you.
In addition to all of these comments, the site talks about your bike. Like an airplane pilot, you should do a visual inspection of your bike before you ride. Every time! You don’t even have to be a mechanic to do an eyeball inspection of your bike.
So go on out and enjoy riding your bike. It’s a feeling like no other. While you are riding, use common sense, keep your bike in good running order, keep it legal and keep your eye out for the other guy — he may not be watching for you. Be safe out there, I want to see you on the road riding all season long.
w
| Tweet | Follow @wkdr |
|
|
