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."
Not only that, but a high end sportbike like a GSXR1000 will out perform an early 80s MotoGP bike. For those who don't know, MotoGP is the Formula 1 of motorcycle racing. Are there any street cars out there that could even come remotely close to the performance and handling of a 20 year old Formula 1 car?
Nor have I. I was there taking care of my mother.
I've had my share of bikes over the years and never had an accident either. I'd love to have one now, but a small stroke 8 years ago left me with a vision deficit which makes riding a bike an invitation to disaster for me at this point.
I don't begrudge anyone their right to ride. I merely passed on my observations.
Agreed.
There are just a hell of a lot more motorcycle riders is all ~ I don't think the % of deaths @ 1000 riders had risen over the years.
When in doubt; add power!
You gotta be kidding ~ how long have you been riding?
I ended up there for a broken toe :) Dumb bi**h rear ended me and totalled my bike. Luckily I had full gear on and my toe was the worst of my injuries. It got caught under the shifter when the bike came out from under me.
All of my friends have crashed and as you say, very few have gotten serious injuries. It also helps that they all wear full gear. Helmets, riding jackets, gloves, boots, and the rest. If you have full gear on, you almost have to t-bone a car to really get hurt.
As they say, there are two types of riders. Those who have crashed and those that are going to. Wear your gear and go have fun. Worrying about what is going to happen is for people in cages.
PEOPLE THAT RIDE MOTORCYCLES ARE INSANE!
Thank you. That is all.
Q: And while they're making snide comments about lifestyle choices, what do E.R. staff call the illegal aliens there for free medical treatment?
A: Señor.
Did you hear Michael Jackson is in the hospital for food poisoning? Yea, he ate a 4 year old weiner.
Remember a young couple, stopped by our place on his Harley about 15 years ago. They left after a short visit.
About 20 minutes later heard all kinds of sirens. We were on our way to cruise down to the beach, so we left. About a mile down the highway, all kinds of emergency vehicles. It was the couple.
A car made a left in front of them, they were doing about 45mph, traveling straight down the highway. He never had time to break, hitting the left turner on the front passenger door, both flew straight up about 25 feet, came down on their heads, on the other side of the intersection. She died instantly, he lived about an hour or so and died in the local hospital of massive head and other injuries.
I gave up riding in the streets long ago, after numerous Harleys, and other assorted bikes, and about 8, very close calls and going down a few times.
I still ride bikes.....Dirt bikes, away from intersections and cars, trucks, concrete etc.....
Besides there are plenty of dangerous sports to get involved in. I once was waiting for a physics teacher to get old and retire, (I wanted his job). When he took up hang gliding I though I saw my chance, but he did just fine. (Did break an arm once, but that was not enough for them to turn over his classes to me.)
The government has lots of areas they should not be involved in, this is another one. (Well OK, they can test and provide street use authorization I guess.)
Real men drive fire engines.
See #30.
Fact of the matter is your out numbered 10,000 to 1 by ignorant buffoons in cars, trucks.
And it's generally always the same statement, over and over. "I just didn't see him officer".
If only I could get the cops to stop seeing me...
They're the least of your worries. Trust me.
That's one way to deal with the coming Social Security crisis. Remember kids, always wear your motorcycle helmet. You're still gonna die, but you can still (usually) have an open-casket funeral.
Whoops. #33 was met for you.
That's horrible!!! See post #27 and go to your room! LOL!!
I work in trauma services, and you wouldn't believe the horrific motorcycle injuries that come into the ER. The most recent was a human wishbone -- t-boned a garbage truck and exsanguinated. There is nothing doctors can do to fix an injury like that. Many of these riders think if they wear a helmet they are safe which is far from reality.
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