05-02-2006, 06:43 PM
G.Irish Wrote:Evan Wrote:your own preparation and actions are only a small component of the equation.
Actually its a LARGE component of the equation. 45% of fatal motorcycle accidents are single vehicle accidents as a result of handlebar actuator malfunction. Of the about 8 to 11 motorcycle accidents I know about first hand or "friend of a friend" all but maybe 2 of them were single vehicle accidents as a result of overaggressive riding.
Some interesting facts from the 2001 NHTSA report "Fatal Single Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes"
* Helmet use among fatally injured motorcyclists below 50 percent
* More motorcyclist fatalities are occurring on rural roads
* High blood alcohol levels are a major problem among motorcycle operators
* Half of the fatalities are related to negotiating a curve prior to the crash
* Undivided roadways account for a majority of the fatalities
* Almost two thirds of the fatalities were associated with speeding as an operator contributing factor in the crash
* Collision with a fixed object is a significant factor in over half of the fatalities
* Braking and steering maneuvers possibly contribute for almost 25 percent of the fatalities
* Almost one third of the fatally injured operators did not have a proper license
The full report is here (PDF): <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/809-360.pdf">http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... 09-360.pdf</a><!-- m -->
no, you are talking about the results, not the equation. apples and oranges, and 2 separate arguments. Just because 3/4 of guys on bikes are morons doing stupid shit, doesnt mean that not being a moron and not doing stupid shit makes it safe or has an acceptable level of risk. It just means that being an idiot compounds the problem.
The equation will always be that as a motorcycle rider your fate is in other drivers on the road drastically more than a 4 wheeler. Its simple physics. The agressiveness of drivers in an urban area, large vehicles with large blindspots, and the increasing attitude as driving being a secondary activity to other activities while in the car just makes it worse.
Ive said it before, everyone has their own acceptable level of risk. If you dont find riding to violate your own personal level, then do your thang, and dont get bent out of shape when I dont agree. But dont go into it thinking that just because you wear a padded jacket and boots, and dont screw around (and you probably will anyway, right RJ?) that you will be always be fine, or as fine as you would be in a car