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Posted on 01/15/2005 12:38:29 PM PST by martin_fierro
Motorcycle safety activists worried about baby boomer deaths
By DAVID SHARP
PORTLAND, Maine — Mike Cullinan broke up with his girlfriend and started a new life. Part of that new life included buying a big Harley-Davidson motorcycle: a 620-pound Dyna Low Rider with a 1,450-cc, fuel-injected engine.
At 38, Cullinan was undergoing just the sort of transformation that happens to many men approaching middle age: empty nest, divorce or just plain old mid-life crisis. Those riders, mostly baby boomers, are driving up the number of motorcycle registrations nationwide.
They also make up the fastest-growing segment of motorcycle deaths.
Across the country, the number of motorcycle fatalities among riders in the 40-plus category has jumped 200 percent over the past decade while deaths among riders under 30 actually dropped, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"It´s really kind of astonishing: The ages of these fatalities are so high. You would think it would be all of the young kids on those fast bikes, but it´s not," said Carl Hallman, highway safety coordinator with the Maine Department of Public Safety.
According to NHTSA´s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, the mean age of motorcyclists killed rose from 32 in 1994 to 38 in 2003. The surge in deaths among older riders helped to push motorcycle fatalities higher overall. They jumped by nearly half during the past five years, from 2,483 in 1999 to 3,661 in 2003.
In Maine, 22 people were killed on motorcycles in 2004, the highest level in a decade. The numbers are even more dramatic in Vermont and New Hampshire.
In New Hampshire, 29 died, compared to nine the year before. In Vermont, there were 11 fatal crashes, more than in the three previous years combined. In all three states, riders in their 30s and older accounted for the most crashes.
Safety experts say many older riders are either returning to the sport after a lengthy absence or have no prior experience.
"From a career standpoint, they have a little extra time and a little extra disposable income. The kids have grown up, so they´re looking for hobbies," said Rae Tyson, a NHTSA spokesman who specializes in motorcycle safety.
That fits with the experience of many instructors.
"I´ve seen a definite increase in men in their 40s and 50s getting back into motorcycling. They haven´t ridden in 20 or 30 years, so their skills are rusty. Motorcycles have changed, and they´re getting bigger motorcycles. And they´re getting on without a refresher course," said Cathy Rimm, program director for Motorcycle Rider Education of Maine.
No one knows exactly why baby boomers are dying at a faster clip on motorcycles because there hasn´t been a national study of the causes of motorcycle accidents since the late 1970s, Tyson said. Motorcycle groups are pressing for an update.
Big, powerful bikes appear to be part of the explanation. NHTSA data show that both engine displacement and fatalities among riders with the largest class of engines rose during the past decade.
Safety officials say older riders thinking about hitting the open road should recognize that their eyesight and reflexes aren´t what they once were. They also say the importance of a refresher course cannot be overstated.
"In our experienced-rider courses, we do take into account the way your body changes, that your reaction time will change and that your eyesight will change. There are changes older riders should make," said Mike Mount, spokesman for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in Irvine, Calif.
In many ways, Cullinan fits the stereotype of an older rider.
The repair shop manager from Standish hadn´t ridden for 15 years, and his life underwent a big change when he broke off a relationship.
He spent more than $18,000 for his ride, a black low rider with chrome. He freely admits bravado played a role, along with enough income to make it a reality.
"I went for the largest bike I could handle, or that I hope I can handle," he said.
Though Maine and many other states require classes or clinics for new riders to get motorcycle licenses, there are no such requirements for a license holder who decides to get on a bike for the first time in decades. No state requires continuing periodic education, said Kathy Van Kleeck of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Cullinan said his eyes were opened by the statistics. He has bought a helmet, which is not required in Maine, and he´s taking a refresher course this winter so he´ll be prepared for taking to the roads this spring.
"I´m hoping I will learn something that´ll make me safer," he said. "I´ll be riding this spring and summer with my eyes open."
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"I´ve seen a definite increase in men in their 40s and 50s getting back into motorcycling. They haven´t ridden in 20 or 30 years, so their skills are rusty. Motorcycles have changed, and they´re getting bigger motorcycles. And they´re getting on without a refresher course," said Cathy Rimm, program director for Motorcycle Rider Education of Maine.
Hardly even see any youngsters on bikes here in Florida. They're all guys with gray hair! 90% of them aren't wearing helmets either
Organ Donor
(not sarcasm)
"Motorcycle safety activists" my arse.
Any person who wants to ride motorcycles ought first to log 30,000 miles on a very small one -- 200 cc or less. That's my advice. Then, work up slowly from there.
They call the bikes, "donorcycles" in the emergency room
1) Write a headline about baby Boomer deaths
2) Find someone born in 1966 who can be the focus of the story
...also part of the increase is the choice of bike. H-D bikes really have not changed much in the last 20 years, whereas the sport bike makers have ALL increased the level of USEFUL technology in their bikes every year.
The sport bikes most buy today will out accellerate, outbrake, out-turn, out perform factory racing machine of 10 years ago.
All of that when used properly will help keep you alive on the street. Remeber with motorbikes it is 90% AVOIDANCE of a collision, 10% survivability after the fact!
I started on a GPz 550, then went to Ninja 600's. What you are talking about is more government interference.
Most riders can handle it.
Some riders are ignorant buffoons. It is only those select few that deserve government intervention. As for me, keep the gov't away from me and my motorbikes!
They call the bikes, "donorcycles" in the emergency room
Do you ride?
Once again, the feds confuse cause and effect. Big honkin' Harleys have become a status symbol. Big honkin' Harleys are very expensive. A lot of older folks with disposable income who want to be part of the new Harley craze are the only ones who can afford the big honkin' Harleys. And they go and buy the big honkin' Harleys but lack the experience to safely ride such a big honkin' Harley. So they buy it the first time they get into trouble.
Which part of Florida? In South Florida, younger guys (under 40) on sport bikes easily make up more than 50% of the market.
Sarasota - Bradenton area. Maybe the younger drivers are out later, but most days, just about every biker I see is an old timer on a big bike or three wheeler.
Motorcycle safety activists don't ride. They should stick to sucking their thumbs.
Yea, and I've been riding for almost 20 years, off-road, on-road, racing (8-years), etc...and have never landed in the ER.
99% of the riders I know, and having been employed in the motorcycle industry in CA, (IOW I know a LOT of them), have NEVER landed in ER. Most of the ones that have were for broken collarbones, arm, or leg, not life threatening injuries.
Yes, part of that 1% does include a few that have died. 1 died in a racing accident. 1 died of a heart attack while sitting on his sofa watching a football game. Sh*t happens and we all know that.
Every rider I know lives life to the fullest. Unlike most of those trapped in their steel cages. Just like being in the military, one never know when your number is up, but we are going to enjoy life to its fullest regardless.
My first bike was a little 150cc Suzuki (cheaper than a car). Then later on I bought a HD Sportster XLCH (it was said that the Sportster XLH was for sissies who couldn't kick start a real motorcycle). I also rode with a 'MC Club' for a couple years too and partied with some ah... 'interesting' people. But all that ended when the shooting started.
My 'Colors' are still in the garage .. someplace.
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