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On a positive note: in a recent ruling in Congress, they’ve decided to fund the next “Hurt Report”! Hooray!!! This hopefully means someone with expertise will study scores of motorcycle accidents that are happening now and draw some conclusions that will help us understand what’s happening to us out there on the road! The original report brought about major reforms in training (motorcyclists bad reactions caused them to get into accidents they were hoping to avoid: locked brakes, no swerving) and hopefully this one will not only reiterate that, but provide additional clarity on things happening today such as: re-entry riders, aging moto-population, better equipment, increased sales, training, trackdays, stunting, alcohol, etc.

Yes, we motorcyclists seem to hurt ourselves as regularly as other road user try to hurt us. Can you say single vehicle accident? For every hard-drinking, helmetless, cruiser guy wobbling away from a bar, there’s a shorts and sandals, no training, brand new 1000cc superbike racer wannabe making the twisties his own personal racetrack or an every gizmo, his and hers custom painted, gargantuan land yacht iron ass with no sleep nutjob. (Of course, that’s just to name a few: scooter dudes, Beemer boobs, pocketbike punks and motard maniacs not withstanding)

Hopefully this new report might help those of us who want to stay riders for a lifetime, have a better shot at making it to the finish line. 25 years down, 25 to go!

http://www.ama-cycle.org/news/2005/Transportation_Bill.asp

James,

The actual quote by Ben Franklin is “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

The fact is Ben Franklin was speaking about the basic human liberties vs. the safety of staying under the control of England. This quote has been used 100’s of times to justify personal freedom, but does not relate to it. It relates to the colonies safety vs. essential liberty.

Some other favorite Ben Franklin quotes are…

“The poor have little, Beggars none; The rich too much. Enough not one.”. This has been quoted as one of the best statements for “communism” in the nations history.

“When there’s no Law, there’s no Bread.”. Another great quote that Ben Franklin was in favor of Laws. Remember Law’s restrict your personal liberty at the benefits of society.

“There was never a good war or a bad peace.”

In general, I find few people agreeing to laws unless it’s a positive for them. In General you do not have the general freedom to be naked in public, self mutilate yourself or do other things that society does not approve of.

Life is full of laws that mandate you follow rules. If I had my way I would be happy to pay more for insurance to drive at any speed I like, ignore red lights and basicly drive as I wish.

Philippe,

I don’t subscribe to it, but it’s about Image, not Performance. One reason they ride without helmets is to prove how Tough, Macho and Freedom Loving they are, that only a Wimp would worry about Safety, Comfort and Control.The guys who ride the bikes you refer to, don’t give a damn how they perform (except maybe in a straight line). What they do care about is appearing to be Cool, Important and Wealthy. These are not only American traits, but they practiced most heavily in this part of the world. These folks ride to be Seen and Heard but not for the visceral thrill a performance motorcycle can bring.

I’ve learned a lot about these folks by riding and talking with them (many are friendly and love motorcycles very much). But they enjoy a different side of the activity. A side you don’t understand and might never agree with. But I think one of the best aspects of motorcycles, is the fact that it does offer freedom and variety!!! Always remember one of their favorite sayings, “If you have to ask, you wouldn’t understand”. I know this doesn’t help much but it’s like asking why would anyone want to eat escargot? Vive la difference!

Touche …… but it was the first link that showed up in my Google search for “motorcycle study congress” (no intent to use the AMA site specifically, the topic’s been all over the rags and on the web lately, as it should be).

I think this study will shed a tremendous amount of insight on the changes or lack thereof in the last 30 years. I just pray law enforcement, legislators and insurance companies try to look objectively at the results to try to improve the situation. But my gut tells me they’ll be wanting to enact a bunch of new laws and restrictions instead.

In answer to part B, I don’t see any icicles at Beelzebub’s place yet!

Gothic,

Statistics related to fatality rates and helmet use are meaningless unless you look at the number of deaths caused by head injury alone. People die in most motorcyle accidents from multiple trauma.

As for mandating helmet use, what are you trying to accomplish? Keeping people alive is not a proper goal for a free society. We are all going to die. What difference does it make to you how? Even the cost to society isn’t a significant issue, since dead people require very little additional expense to society.

I wear a helmet everytime I ride, but I’m not about to tell someone else they must! And I do think the seatbelt laws need repealing. Besides since one of the major injuries incurred during a car accident is also head injury, shouldn’t car drivers also have to wear helmets! Where does it end?

And while we’re talking freedom of choice, what kind of wacked society makes suicide a crime. If there’s only one inalienable right, it’s to decide when you’ve had enough!

rhino,

I like what you said about “freedom and variety”. We all get different things out of the riding experience, and it’s good to remind people that if you think someone else’s choice of bike is stupid or irrational, you should realize that it’s probably your own failure of imagination. It’s all good.

gothicbeaST,
I always ride with a helmet, but this should be my decision, not that of some bureaucrat who’s never touched a motorcycle. In a free society, people have absolute rights to do whatever they want, as long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others. Speed limits and traffic light laws exist to keep people from endangering others. Helmet laws are in a completely different category: the government infringing on personal freedom “for your own good”.

However you may feel about the right to die, if not wearing a helmet can be regulated because it’s the same a s suicide, then the government should also outlaw smoking tobacco, eating red meat, and owning swimming pools, all of which are far more likely to kill you than riding without a helmet. If you start arguing that busybodies in the government know what’s best for us poor little ignorant citizens and have the right to limit our freedoms for personal safety issues that hurt no one else, it’s only a small step towards outlawing motorcycles entirely.

Maybe you’re someone who needs the government to be your mommy and get you to brush your teeth and eat your vegetables, but I prefer to believe that adults are capable of making their own decisions.

Big Ben,

I think you really are missing the point. By living in society you have already given up to the busybodies in government telling you how to live. If you feel you have absolute choice and freedom in your life, then I am sorry but you are sadly mistaken. At least in the USA there is limited freedom, but at least it is better than most places.

Our government makes lots of lovely decisions that affect you and your life. Think about it, is using drugs really hurting anyone? Well hell you should have the right to take any kinds of drugs you want as long as you don’t go out and hurt someone. But you know what, the USA has a lovely DEA and we spend 2.141 Billion dollars on preventing people from using drugs.

Beyond that I don’t want to pay extra taxes, healthcare costs and related expenses for something that is so easily avoidable. We are not talking rocket science hear, we are talking about something basic. I can find no reason why you can’t wear a helmet. If you are wearing one now, then the law does not effect you.

You could always recommend padded curbs and streets so when your head hits the ground it does not get hurt.

The funny thing is I can find very few “race tracks” around the USA that allow people to ride around without a helmet. Seems I never hear about racers complaining that the AMA requires helmets? You can’t do a sighting lap around most race tracks without a helmet.

In many cases I believe we legislate common sense when people don’t have any. Ben you do, so the legislation is just their for the people with defective DNA.

gothicbeaST,

If you’re agruing that the US currently has laws that unjustifiably restrict personal freedom, unfortunately I have to agree with you. But in a free society an individual should not have to give up personal freedom in areas that don’t affect others. That the government currently does interfere with my rights beyond its duty to protect others is not an argument that the government should do so. “Better than most places” may be good enough for you, but I believe that America should set the example for freedom in the world, and you’re working against that.

Your argument about drug laws further proves my point. The War on [some] Drugs has been a massive waste of time , money, and lives, and a huge infringement on our civil liberties, and is, at its core, deeply unAmerican.

Beyond that I don’t want to pay extra taxes, healthcare costs and related expenses for something that is so easily avoidable.

So you are in favor of making tobacco and fied foods illegal? Contact sports? Mountain climbing? Where does it end?

(By the way, I really don’t mean this to be a flame, but please check out Bob the angry flower and then look at your post title again. Misplaced apostrophes are like nails on a chalkboard to some of us.)

Ben,

Sorry my use of the English language is not up to your standards. Call it what you want a Flame is a Flame.

I still go back to my statement about actively changing the laws. If you believe people have the right to use drugs as they wish, I hope you are active in working towards that law. If you voted “Republican” then you may not be supporting your cause. If you voted “Democrat” you may not be supporting your cause.

I personally feel that using tobacco is basically a poor choice. I strongly believe that I should not be subjected to that “choice”. Go smoke at home, but not where I am eating, drinking or hanging out.

I don’t support dangerous sports that are the focus of injuring people. I don’t see many NFL players without a helmet, and I was in 100% support of the NHL requiring helmets. I don’t support people free climbing on public land without ropes and safety gear. To the point I support them not being given a permit to do so on public lands.

I am politically active and I hope you are to….

But they enjoy a different side of the activity. A side you don’t understand and might never agree with. But I think one of the best aspects of motorcycles, is the fact that it does offer freedom and variety!!! Always remember one of their favorite sayings, “If you have to ask, you wouldn’t understand”. I know this doesn’t help much but it’s like asking why would anyone want to eat escargot? Vive la difference!

Rhino Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t intend to condescend and to look superior, there are indeed many ways to enjoy motorcycling. Blame my poor english. I was just wondering (and I know it’s quite off-topic) about what seems to me a very american-born style of bikes (now widely exported in the rest of the world). I’ve noticed such a trend when it comes to cars also. I especialy remember, during a trip to the US maybe 15 years ago, cars in SoCal fitted with very small but wide wheels, like skate-board’s wheels. Which didn’t make any sense rationaly (where did they put the brakes..?). 5 years later they were gone.
On second thought I suspect it has to do with your longer history of tough traffic regulations. For instance, in France, our speed limits are higher and younger than yours, and not as widely respected. When performance is strictly limited, you try to find your ‘kick’ somewhere else !
Another side note : in france statistics show that Harley riders have a way higher annual mileage than other motorcyclists… And less crashes.

Oh, and I’m in favor of helmet laws, because we’ve got a socialized health care system on my side of the ocean and I don’t want to pay for dumb people. And I do smoke.

gothicbeaST,

As an adult, you have the right to your opinions, and I even personally agree with you on may of them. But the question is whether you have the right to use the law to force those opinions on others.

I don’t smoke or play football or hangglide, and those activities are dangerous even when the proper precautions are taken. But I would fight any legislation prohibiting them, just as I will fight any legislation prohibiting motorcycling.

A decent normal person could easily come to the conclusion that riding a motorcycle is too dangerous to be worth it, and those people are free not to ride and to try to convince others not to ride. I’ll admit that riding a motorcycle is actually pretty irrational if safety is your main value. It’s when they think they know what’s best for me and try to pass laws to save me from myself that they’ve stepped over the line. Once you’ve conceded that they have the right to act as your mommy about helmets, you’ve conceded that they have the right to stop you from anything dangerous.

I would hope that anyone who believes in freedom and living life to the fullest would reject that line of reasoning. That means supporting the freedom even of those who make choices different from our own. Maybe you think the unwashed masses can’t be trusted to make decisions as wise as yours, but I prefer to think of my fellow citizens as adults capable of figuring out what is important for themselves.

If you think people should wear helmets, convince them. If the evidence is so clear, then it shouldn’t be hard to persuade people without using the coercive power of the state. And if, after educating people, some people still come to conclusions different from yours, you might want to consider that maybe, just maybe, there is something important to them that you don’t understand.

Another great quote from Franklin ” Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy “.

Have a drink on me.

rhino,
I’d like to think that if we were all in the same room we’d focus on proving Timmy’s Franklin quote
If any of y’all ever make it over here to the Land of the Rising Sun, the “proof of God’s love” is on me.

Data, data, data, don’t you know that there are lies, damned lies and statistics? Well here is the data (recent Progressive study, 2 million motorcycles over three years) to refute your theory that returning riders and especially Harley riders are the cause of the increase of motorcycle related deaths:
http://pressroom.progressive.com/Releases/Motorcycle_tips_05.asp

Most likely models to be crashed:
1. Suzuki GSX-R Series
2. Kawasaki Ninja Series
3. Suzuki TLR
4. Yamaha YZF Series
5. Honda CBR Series

Least likely models to be crashed:
1. Yamaha Virago Series
2. Honda Rebel Series
3. Suzuki Savage
4. Harley-Davidson FXR
5. BMW R1200C

I can only see one common difference between the two groups. Since Rebels, Viragos and Savages are classic begginner bikes, it is not training. Since both groups have models that start at 125cc up to over a liter it is not size. It is purely the amount of chrome you choose to ride around with. Now I know that a crash does not always equal a fatality, but it hard to have the latter without the former. Speed is definately a factor, but doesn’t that stem more from attitude then bike style? All the SQUIDS I see wear helmets. Performance = Safety? I don’t think so.

BTW, insurance costs do go up when motorcyclists die, but healthcare costs are not the major factor. It is the settlement that they have to pay when the victim’s family sues the driver of the car that killed him.

Healthcare costs of a motorcyclist with brain injuries:
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Jury settlements against negligent drivers:
Millions.
Knowing that you are subsidising the insurance of a cellphone talking, burger eating, head-in-the-clouds Humvee driver:
Priceless.

From this data I move to outlaw any bike with your feet not in font of you. Not really, since I don’t care nor do I have the right to tell other people what to do since I am not accountable for their actions. But I still think we should all drive cement trucks.

AB,

We do work at that place? I just show up for the internet connection and the free donuts

September 21, 2005

For Immediate Release:

“Helmetless” Riders are Less Likely to Die in Motorcycle Crashes on Florida Roads

The 2004 Crash Statistics for Florida wipe away NHTSA’s prediction of a blood bath.

According to the recently released, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles annual Traffic Crash Statistics Report for 2004, motorcycle riders wearing helmets were more likely to sustain an injury or suffer a fatality than their non-helmeted counterparts. The huge increase in death and injury to non-helmeted motorcycle riders, predicted by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) in a report released this summer, has not been substantiated. The numbers are going to disappoint the proponents of helmet laws while simultaneously confirming the facts presented to the public by ABATE of Florida, Inc. (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education). ABATE is a non-profit motorcycle rights organization in Florida and has spent years focusing on motorcycle related issues, including crash prevention and stiffer penalties for negligent vehicle operators who kill and injure motorcycle riders.

Of the 388 motorcycle riders killed in crashes on Florida roads during 2004, over 51% were wearing safety helmets. The crash facts also demonstrate that riders wearing safety helmets were more likely to sustain injuries than non-helmeted riders. In each of the statistical focus topics presented in the study, the percentage numbers were very close between helmeted and non-helmeted riders, except for non-injury crashes. The study stated that non-helmeted riders were 20% more likely to walk away from a crash without injuries than riders who were wearing helmets. This disparity could be due to the visual and physical limitations imposed by a helmet. Wearing a motorcycle helmet cannot keep a crash from occurring, however, riding without a helmet could allow a rider to respond more quickly or to visually recognize potential hazards, decreasing the severity of the injury sustained or avoiding injury all together. There are no statistics available for crashes which riders were able to completely avoid due to training or equipment use.

According to the crash statistics, the top three contributing causes of all motor vehicle crashes include careless driving, failure to yield the right-of-way and driving under the influence of alcohol. None of the three include equipment failure, environmental or weather related issues. Each of the top three causes for crashes are directly linked to driver error or negligent action by the motor vehicle operator. Therefore, in stands to reason that a significant number of crashes could be avoided if motor vehicle drivers took personal responsibility for operating a deadly weapon prior to engaging their engines.

People can only control two things in their lives; what they think and what they do. Personal responsibility cannot be legislated. Political and governmental entities cannot mandate ethical and honorable actions. It is society, which dictates acceptable public behavior. Rehabilitation programs rely on education and a series of problem identification and behavior modification systems to alter behaviors that are harmful to a group or individual. Reeducating the public on safe operation of their motor vehicles or rehabilitating vehicle operators that habitually drive impaired or recklessly is an enormous job, however, ABATE of Florida, Inc. is taking on one piece of that task. The group is getting information out to the public on motorcycle safety and awareness through high school drivers education programs, posters, flyers, the presentation of a free Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Program, along with a series of annual safety seminars for the motorcycle riding and non-riding public.

In conjunction with the Florida legislature, ABATE is putting Billboards throughout the state to encourage drivers to be aware of motorcycles and to drive alertly. In other words, to take personal responsibility for their driving actions and to think about the way they operate their vehicles. James “Doc” Reichenbach, president of ABATE of Florida, Inc. who’s group lobbied strongly for motorcycle helmet reform in 2000, said, “The numbers from the crash report for 2004 may favor our point of view, but even one death is too many. We… (motorcycle riders)… have to ride defensively and we have to educate everyone we meet.” To help educate the driving public, four billboards with motorcycle safety messages have already been installed on major Florida highways. Within the next few months, Mr. Reichenbach expects approximately ten more billboards to be in place in areas where high motorcycle injury rates have been reported.

Motorcycle shop owner, Dan Fish of Doc’s Southern Cycles in Pace, Florida, said, “I’ve had five times as many people in the shop in the past week looking for bikes under 600cc’s.” He said people are worried about getting around and are looking for economical transportation. The motorcycle population has more than doubled in the past five years with over 700,000 endorsed riders. With the marked increase in gasoline prices and concern over fuel availability, the number of motorcycle riders on Florida highways could easily reach 1.5 million in the next five years. Motor vehicle operators will be encountering an ever- increasing number of two wheeled travelers in the future. Motorcycles are smaller and can easily be lost in blind spots of larger vehicles. Drivers need to be aware of the presence of all vehicles in their vicinity and give motorcycles their full lane of travel. Perception of the speed that a motorcycle is traveling is often misjudged and failure to yield the right-of-way is sighted as the cause in a significant number of motorcycle versus automobile crashes.

Statistical reports, no matter how reliable the source, will not stop the motorcycle helmet usage debate, however, the real issue is crash prevention. To get involved in motorcycle crash prevention or to find out more about the Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Programs being offered, contact ABATE of Florida, Inc. at P.O. Box 2520, DeLand, Florida, 32721 or visit www.abateflorida.com.

Contact:
Cyndi von Bulow
PR/Comm Trustee
ABATE of Florida, Inc.
PO Box 2520
DeLand, Florida 32721
abateflpr@yahoo.com
386.760.6610

Its always been funny to me that the same rider who refuses to wear a helmet and battles tirelessly against helmet laws, will inevitably spout oral feces such as “Loud pipes save lives!” when someone mentions noise pollution. Helmets save lives, Why aren’t they fighting to wear helmets? I live in an beach area that sees three biker events each year. Two for Harley riders and one for sport bikes. Both groups are bad for drinking and not wearing helmets.

In my experience Sport bikers are much worse for speeding and doing ridiculous stunts such as wheelies on main highways. Harley riders probably have the larger number of intoxicated riders. These are just generalizations though,and I don’t like to generalize since I don’t fit into either category.

What really surprises me is the number of bikers that I see riding with no shirt,a pair of shorts and flip-flops. Road rash lookin’ for a place to happen. It makes me cringe. This year I was nearly run over on my Suzuki C50T by a 20 something rider with no helmet no shirt and no shoes. He wore only a pair of jeans. He was doing roughly 100 mph in a 55 zone. He barely managed to swerve past me and into the other lane in front of a car before speeding off.
STUPIDITY IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG BIKERS.
If you don’t wear a helmet, you probably don’t have any brains to protect any way.