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Marty and his Bluetoof Helmet
Posted on 07/15/2007 7:30:18 AM PDT by BraveMan
It's been a year since Jeffrey and Christine Konrath of Slinger died in a motorcycle crash in Dodge County.
Except for the fact that they weren't drinking, the Konraths could be the face of motorcycle fatalities today: older riders - he was 45, she was 48 - on a larger bike, killed on a rural road. And neither was wearing a helmet.
It's that last point that most frustrates Christine's daughter Angeline Schreiber. She has little tolerance these days for motorcyclists who forgo protective gear.
"I would never tell people not to ride bikes," said Schreiber, who is raising her 12-year-old half sister since her mother and stepfather were killed.
"I would just like people to think about safety precautions before they do it."
Jeffrey and Christine Konrath were among 93 motorcyclists who died on Wisconsin roads in 2006, up 79% from a decade ago. Over that same time, motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled nationwide.
Much of that can be attributed to the rising number of bikes on the road. In fact, in Wisconsin, the death rate dropped in 2005 to the lowest level since 1996, when factoring in the number of motorcycles registered, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The death rate nationally rose 30% during that period.
Riders and safety officials say they are troubled by the rising death toll and some of the trends they see reflected in the numbers.
"What stands out to me is the significant increase in those killed that are 45 and older," said Dennis Hughes, who as chief of safety programs for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is implementing new programs to target those riders.
Last year in Wisconsin, 43% of motorcyclists killed were 45 and older, up from around 10% in 1995 and under 2% in '91, according to the state.
"It's that baby boomer generation coming on board," said Hughes.
"Many of them had experience riding bikes. But they're going back to a bike that's a lot different from what they learned on. They're bigger, they're heavier and the maneuvering is a lot different."
Hughes' observations are reflected in the national data as well. Riders 40 and older made up nearly half of the fatalities in 2005, the latest year for which those numbers are available, according to NHTSA, up from 24% in 1995.
Among the other trends in Wisconsin and the nation:
• A growing number of fatalities involve larger bikes with more powerful engines (1,001 to 1,500 cubic centimeters).
• Alcohol consumption and failure to wear a helmet continue to be factors. In Wisconsin last year, 75% of those killed weren't wearing helmets and 47% had been drinking. Nationally in 2005, the latest year available, 35% had been drinking and 43% were not wearing a helmet.
• Of those killed, older riders were more likely than their younger counterparts to have been intoxicated and less likely - at least to age 60 - to wear a helmet. Younger riders were more apt to be speeding.
Brookfield motorcyclists Catherine and Peter Dhein, both in their 50s, aim to defy the statistics. He's taken the Harley Rider's Edge training course, and they always wear helmets, said Catherine, as they readied their Ultra Classic for an overnight trek from Milwaukee's House of Harley to western Wisconsin on Friday.
"We don't drink when we're riding, and we don't drive at night," she said.
Aside from the trends and the growing number of bikes on the road, it's difficult to explain the rising death toll. However, that could change in the coming years.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation in Irvine, Calif., said this month that it would commit $2.8 million to match federal funds set aside to conduct the first comprehensive study of motorcycle crash causes since the 1970s.
The findings could have long-term implications for riders, manufacturers and policy-makers.
"When that's done, we'll understand why this is happening and what we can do to reduce these numbers, said NHTSA spokesman Ray Tyson.
"We know, for example, that increased helmet use helps, that impaired riding is a factor," he said. "But we don't know what else, for example, things we could be doing to make motorcycles safer."
Wisconsin, in the meantime, has been expanding its rider education programs, adding classes to accommodate the growing demand and targeting some to older or returning riders.
In addition to the standard safety program available through technical schools around the state, the DOT offers a refresher course for returning riders and a new Seasoned Rider program that addresses the effects of aging - for example, declining vision and reaction time. And it is launching a pilot program in the Fox Valley that pairs new or returning riders with experienced mentors.
The state is looking to expand a program tested by a motorcycle coalition in Jefferson, Dane and Waukesha counties that lets riders lock up their bikes in secure storage crates at local bars if they are intoxicated, and federal officials are interested in rolling that out nationally.
In every program, regardless of the age or expertise of the rider, safety instructors stress two recurring themes: the importance of riding sober and proper equipment, most importantly a helmet, said Ron Thompson, who manages the motorcycle safety programs for the state.
"We tell people, if you don't wear it for yourselves, wear it for your family and friends - so you can ride again," Thompson said.
Good story.
I stopped in a biker bar after work once wearing a suit and tie. I just wanted a beer before going home. Some dumbshit came up and started bugging me. I had no desire to get into a bar fight fight so I asked him what his problem was. He responded, “I don’t like your looks.”
A biker on the next bar stool “showed” him the door. He came back to me and said that he didn’t like my looks either but it was none of that jerk’s business.
We bought each other beers.
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Marty and his Bluetoof Helmet
What a slanted POS article this is.
Agreed, although I did see a guy in his mid-50’s getting squirrely on a KTM Duke the other day - he’ll probably be a statistic.
Carolyn
Friend of mine was killed on his bike in 2004 and had half his face removed. He was wearing a helmet.
Wrong ~ I'm old (76) and I'm a bold (I have the scars and broken bones to prove it) rider!
It's the adrenaline rush!!
“I had a near fatal crash on the 26th of June.”
That’s rough, sorry to hear it. It’ll probably take something like that to stop me from riding, the minor mishaps I’ve had so far haven’t. I worked with a guy who had a similarly bad crash years ago and while he didn’t ride for years, he did eventually come back.
Good luck in the recuperation department - the motorcycling, despite what some say, is not as important as your life.
Oh no. There are some old bold bikers out there. They’re easy to spot because they walk with a cane.
This is really a no-brainer and I didn’t intend that as a pun either. I’ve owned five bikes but I never went without a helmet. It is pure craziness to think a cyclist can compete with an enclosed vehicle like a car or a truck. The problem is compounded by more traffic in congested areas. The other vehicles simply don’t see the bikers. I’ve dumped a bike before but thankfully, there were no other vehicles in the vicinity. I’ve just given it up entirely. Too dangerous. If someone wants the open air, get a convertible. Motorcycles make sense in the wide open road like Wyoming. But in city areas, you had better plan on getting right with God. Your ticket is likely to be punched sooner than you had intended.
I’ve got a R1100S I need to wear out first...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That bike might wear you out first.
Remember the old honda 50 super cub? The resurected it in the eighties and called it the honda passport.
That thing could supposedly get 400MPG if drivin carefully.
always love people who think the helmet is the fail safe all encompassing magic life saving device....if ONLY they were wearing a helmet....please.
I ride, always wear a helmet, but know damn well its only a VERY SMALL part of the whole safety package.
True. I knocked out a 1800 mile weekend to CA and back the first of June. The bike was fine, I needed a couple of days rest.
I had a recent accident on a bicycle. Serious injuries. The funny thing was, I rode my harley to a location where the bikes were and then crashed on a bicycle. When the Ambulance arrived, they would not let go of the motorcycle idea. They were nearly calling me and my friends liars. They demanded to see the wrecked motorcycle. There wasn’t one. It was very upsetting.
The hospital ended up sending me to different hospital because of differences of opinions. They were threatening to put me under and then treat me as they wish. They were claiming I had 4 broken ribs and a punctured aorta. I knew there was nothing wrong with my chest. I demanded a second opinion but they refused. They scolded me for vomiting blood all over the place. They tried to force a tube down my throat against my will.
The second hospital was much better. It turned out I was right about the broken ribs and punctured aorta. I should’ve sued the F-ing a$$holes for all they were worth, but that’s not my way. I’m healed and thankful there are no lasting disabilities...and back to riding my harley.
No bicycles though. Those things are death traps.
You are my new hero!
Wasn’t that recently declared the most influential bike in the world?
I know what you mean... I've got Brembo brakes on my Ducati, and I once accidentally locked up my front wheel for an instant at 50MPH in the rain.
Two things that are terribly important to the safety of a rider is to learn the skills to ride on your bike, learning what it can and can't do, and more importantly, to take riding classes to learn what you're capable of doing. Start with the MSF basic, and then the advanced course. Then move on to other riding classes. The Pridmore's CLASS or STAR classes, Keith Code's California Superbike School - he does Harley (and other cruiser and dresser only) classes too. There are lots of other regional classes as well.
The second is situational awareness. You need to be aware of everything that's going on around you on the road, ahead, sides, and even behind! If you don't believe that, something important to know is that even a big dresser with bad brakes can stop far faster and in a shorter distance than most cars.
Mark
Some would rather live a shorter life to the fullest, than a cowardly, fearfully existence for longer.
"Don't play with that motorcycle you can poke your eye out."
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