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.
Choices like joining the Army and jumping out of airplanes? I guess I shouldn't do that either. I don't care if you have to talk to families.
And stop trying to "educate" the bikers: you sound stupid and holier-than-thou. Maybe you could lecture us on a good diet, brushing after every meal and wearing layers.
Bite my back tire, pecksniff.
(and before you whine to the moderator again--from Mirriam-Webster online: Etymology: Seth Pecksniff, character in Martin Chuzzlewit (1843–44) by Charles Dickens Date: 1849
: unctuously hypocritical : pharisaical)
[Thanks. Please be sure to get stuck with an AIDS infected needle.
Thanks again for whining to the moderator and getting my post pulled.
I’m not kidding: on every motorcycle thread some sanctimonious half-wit ER tech shows up to lecture us. I’m sick of it.]
What did I ever do to you to deserve your wrath? Speak the truth? Do you have a problem with the truth? You need to learn some humility before your attitudes cause you harm.
You sir, are pretty dang stupid.
You can't really come on a motorcycle thread and claim "you guys are going to die" based on some non-relevant ER experience.
In the ER, you only see riders who crash, so it is a non-representative sample.
Furthermore, you have no motorcycle experience: maybe you are chicken or maybe your wife or 'lifepartner' won't let you get one....
Further-furthermore, what kind of do-gooder self-satisfied instinct does it take to get on a motorcycle thread just to tell us: "OOOOOOH! that's dangerous!"
And as far as me being stupid, you didn't know what a 'pecksniff' was did you? Tell the truth, pecksniff.
I did not state that your are going to die - only that you are increasing your chances of doing so early by riding a MC.
What about taking care of injured MC riders is irrelevant? Accidents happen to everyone. It would be unethical for me not to care for them. I took an oath to do just that.
I don’t ride motorcycles. I get by fine on four wheels. I don’t have a death wish either. Your ad hominem attacks prove the weakness of your argument.
I’m sure a pecksniff was something derogatory in olde English. It has nothing to do with this thread. I am being rational. You obviously are not.
Charles Dickens didn't write in 'Olde English'.
Really, there is one like you on every motorcycle thread....
[Really, we don’t want to be lectured by a dopey PA.]
There you go with those ad hominem attacks again.
[Treating people in the ER doesn’t give you any insight into motorcycle riding]
True. It does give me PLENTY of insight into the kinds of injuries sustained by motorcycle riders, however. Have you suffered brain damage? Seems like it.
[Really, there is one like you on every motorcycle thread....]
I’m happy to learn that. There are plenty like you in every ER, unfortunately. Have a nice life. I’m tired of dealing with someone who comes to a battle of wits with an empty weapon.
You hit it on the nose.People can now afford that big Harley they always wanted or some kid gets a Hayabusa for his first bike.
The old dude is going to learn how to control a big bike, in any situation, on the freeways and the kid will be going 60 between stopped or barely moving, bumper to bumper traffic on the same freeway.
Most accidents happen because SOMEONE did something stupid.
[Most accidents happen because SOMEONE did something stupid.]
You are exactly right. Unfortunately, SOMEONE doing SOMETHING stupid is an all-to-common part of the human condition.
Have you ever worked for a company whose stated goal was to have a “zero” accident rate instead of a “reasonable” accident rate? That’s enough to drive you crazy!
I have to stay vigilant because cagers attitudes vary from apathetic to hostile.”
I ALWAYS assume they will do something stupid and am thinking defensively to the max.”
Here in L.A., I don’t assume they will, I know they will.
50% of the car drivers don’t know how to drive, don’t know the “Rules of the Road”, and at least once a week, I have to avoid someone who deliberately tries to cut me off.
Perhaps their loved ones will though.
I'm glad you're doing ok.
My uncle was killed while riding a motorcycle. A driver turned in front of him, and he left behind a pregnant wife and 4 year old daughter. When my husband insisted that he wanted a motorcycle, I wasn't happy to say the least.
But, he's an adult, so I just insisted that he up his life insurance another $100,000. If I'm going to be a widow, I might as well be a rich widow, right?
Hubby had a small accident (going slowly, narrow rural road, moved over to let a car pass safely and his front wheel went off the pavement) and ended up breaking his wrist and his elbow, numerous scrapes and bruises.
He rode the bike once more. Then he sold it.
The risks FAR outweigh the thrills.”
I don’t ride for Thrills.I ride because I enjoy riding a motorcycle.Same reason people like to ride horses.
Do you rock climb for thrills?If you do, that means you take chances.You like adrenalin rushes.
I feel safer on my bike than I do in a car.
I felt really horrible for my husband because he did enjoy his motorcycle so much. He'd come home from work, go out to ride on our little backroads, and come back relaxed and happy.
I was just starting to not hate the bike so much when he crashed.
I drive my 1 ton pickup truck as fast as conditions allow.”
I’ll bet you do. My guess is you also use your “1 ton pickup truck” in an intimidating way towards other drivers when you want to pass, change lanes, pull out into traffic, etc.
As a rule, we are far more aware of our surroundings on the highway.
We have to be.
Virtually anyone can operate an automobile, motorcycles demand a different skill set, situational awareness, and performance on the part of the operator. A lapse in meeting those demands can be fatal.
As for cagers being the source of problems, in two of three multivehicle (auto/motorcycle) accidents leading to a dead biker, the driver of the automobile failed to yield the right of way or performed some other maneuver leading to the death of the motorcyclist.
Most of us have cages, too. We use them for work, to move materials, and especially (at this latitude) for transportation in winter. Why is it when we drive our cages, we aren't running down people on motorcycles? Because we are looking.
Wonder why we might feel a little superior to the driver sucking on a latte doing their makeup and calling someone on the cell phone--and, incidentally, "driving"?
Only have to wait a year for a nice, fresh kidney since its former owner wrecked his bike.”
Because of this internal organs are only taken for donation from people who are brain dead but whose hearts are still working.”
That is not going to happen at a motor vehicle accident scene.”
Keep talking. You’re proving yourself a liar.
Hubby had a small accident (going slowly, narrow rural road, moved over to let a car pass safely and his front wheel went off the pavement) and ended up breaking his wrist and his elbow, numerous scrapes and bruises.
I felt really horrible for my husband because he did enjoy his motorcycle so much.”
He rode the bike once more. Then he sold it.”
Try to stop a fall with one arm and you will probably break something.
I should have been more specific, I love my motorcycle and I’m not going to blame the bike if I get hurt doing something stupid.
I still have occasional twinges of pain from dumping a Kow 500,at 85mph, in 1977.
I agree with that. I’ve only chanced it once and it was as bad as Atlanta on welfare check day.
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