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."
Oh, I understand that all too well.
NHTSA knows nothing about motorcycle safety. Their incompetence is legendary.
The people who have the highest number of fatalities and accidents has been in the same group for decades. Its the people who have had their motorcycle for less than six months and have never taken a safety/rider class. Also many of those accidents relate to people without motorcycle license. (don't need one to BUY a motorcycle.)
This also does not consider the fact that 80% (NHTSA's own numbers) are the fault of the automobile not the rider. This article is written with the assumption of motorcycle is at fault.
The incompetence of this article does not consider the fact that older people can affort a Harley after all those years.
These articles are to counter the recent trend of rejecting mandatory helmet laws. IOW the rejection of the nanny state.
last boomers were 1964, per the census. 1965 starts gen X.
That was my point.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 which states the requirements for helmes only tests helmets for 15mph and has ZERO, ZIP, and NADA stardards for neck stress.
(shorthand is FMVSS 218)
One last point hemets are not certified by the DOT. The manufacturer self certifies compliance with FMVSS 218. The snell standard has no effect at law, only DOT certified by the manufacturer matters.
When I get on my bike, I say "Lord, it's a good day to die.". And, what a way to go. 22 dead in Maine, 29 in New Hamshire...la de da, WOW, that made a real dent in the population, didn't it.
These sick pencil pushing idiots have nothing better to do. Maybe they need a reason to up insurance rates or medical costs, as if we aren't paying enough already.
...Oh yeah. Since when is 39 a baby boomer?
PEOPLE THAT RIDE MOTORCYCLES ARE INSANE!
Thank you. That is all.
I hope you live to a ripe ooolllldddd age...bored out of your skull.
I hope you live to a ripe ooolllldddd age...bored out of your skull.
Now I waited all day for a "come back",,,, and that's it? Bored? OK,, how about this...
ANYBODY WITH OPEN PIPES IS A MENACE!!
Thank you. :-)
ANYBODY WITH OPEN PIPES IS A MENACE!!
Insane menace checking in...
I recommend an MSF course for anyone thinking about getting into riding...the answer I get most often is that it's too expensive. Makes no sense to me to spend $10,000 plus on a scooter then complain about a few hundred more to learn the basics.
$10K???
Sporty's are $8,5K
Jap Crusers are $11K
Hog's are $18k(ish)
What comes in at 10?
Oh, and remember--
ANYTHING MORE THAN 2 CYLS IS CHEATING!!
Thank you! :-)
It's raining. I'm home. It sucks. Skull is OK. :-)
2002 BMW R1150GS:
Yea, but I bet you will tell it to at least 10 people in the next week... if you haven't already.
Nice bike. Best braking system in the world.
And, NO. I wouldn't tell that joke! Ewwwwww!! LOL!
That is what I used to have before the dumb bi**h mentioned in post #26 hit me. After that got totalled I got a K1200RS. I really want a new R1200GS. My friend just got one and absolutely loves it. My main gripe with the 1150 was it needed about 10 more HP. They fixed that with the 1200.
Unfortunately, with today's cagers, the back of your bike better light up like a Christmas tree when your stopping.
Fortunately for us, todays charging systems have kept up with the need.
Also---Are those all BMW model #'s? I looked at a few when the brake system came out, what, back in 95 or so? 98? I dunno, I'm hardcore old school, I didn't really pay that much attention. :-)
It did! The rear brake light flashed and the turn signals were also set to flash when the brake was engaged... Didn't help. I watch my mirrors a lot more now and if in doubt run it.
Also---Are those all BMW model #'s? I looked at a few when the brake system came out, what, back in 95 or so? 98?
Yea, they are all BMWs. Check out the R1200GS. It is incredibly cool. Amazing machine. The brake system has gone through a few generations since it first came out.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/r1200gs05first/
One of the best things about BMW is the dealers will let you have test rides. Go check one out. :)
Unfortunately too true.
I've been riding for well over 35 years, and I have a saying I am fond of repeating to those people who say to me " Ya know, I been thinking about buying a motorcycle...I haven't ridden in 20..25....30 years..."
I always remind them that a deaf, nearsighted little old lady in a GEO Metro can and will take them out...most don't or won't believe it...the ones who manage to survive the first few months without crashing or parking it, always seem to bring it up when relating their latest "there I was story".
I still ride with a MC, and would much rather ride than cage it, but I always assume that I will go down....not if, but when...
One evening about 23 years ago, after a tough day for our sick 8 month old boy, he finally fell asleep. A short time later, a straight pipe H-D went cackling by our house. I looked at my wife, noticed her anger, and that she briefly glanced at the well stocked gun cabinet.
Now, I knew she wouldn't have done something stupid, but it just goes to show that people with loud stereos, cars, bikes, etc. don't realize that they can be disturbing other people. Some folks work 3rd and are trying to sleep, for example.
My mother-in-law was an RN for over 28 yrs and refused to let any of her 5 kids have a cycle until they were on there own. She saw a lot of lives maimed or ended because of the inherent dangers of cycle riding. But I agree that the gov'ment needs to stay out of this and other matters.
Got lots of on and off road bike experience, but prefer a horse for true leisure riding (not to mention the help they are in working cattle). In the words of Winston Churchill: There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man. In the words of my younger son: A horse is "way cooler" any motorcycle.
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