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.
There have been 5 riders killed locally that were all at least friends of friends.
Only one was hot dogging but it was still a left turning cager who killed her.
I ride about 2000 miles a month, half of that commuting. I have to stay vigilant because cagers attitudes vary from apathetic to hostile.
But we all make our choices and have to realize we assume some risks.
But I refuse to blame the victim.
I agree that car drivers are a big part of the problem.
The “blue-haired old lady in a Buick” is not just a silly stereotype, but a deadly menace on the road. There are others, of course (cell phone users come to mind).
BINGO! I ride extremely fast sport bikes and always break with one finger. I do that puposely to avoid a full squeeze when surprised and having the front wheel go out. Now of course you can't use this technique on a Harley, where one finger will do nothing...
So do 18 wheelers have to pack a keg? :)
One of the recent local bike fatalities was a guy in a pickup who turned left in front of the cyclist.
The reports indicated that the helmet made no difference.
Many times we read that the biker wasn’t wearing a helmet but many times it wouldn’t have made a difference anyway. But the stats don’t usually account for that. It just goes down as another biker died because he wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Not another biker killed because of a careless driver.
I ALWAYS assume they will do something stupid and am thinking defensively to the max.
A coworker was hit by one of those. He was at a stop light. She was turning left and clipped his front tire. He was out of work for months. She reportedly said, "I didn't see him".
Cellphone yackers are a hazard to everyone.
Damned if I don’t turn into Evel Knevel when I drink and ride! Lane splitting at midnight...yikes!
That’s why I don’t do it anymore.
Or do it much :>
2x2 works for me.
No keg, ‘cause they might have to pee in a bottle at the next weigh station, lose their job and/or get locked up!
Commercial driving is a whole other ballgame.
Depends on which finger.
There’s always the Indian Larry Rider Safety Course Graduates to watch out for also. :-)
I might paraphrase that somewhat but am with you in spirit/intent. Proud to say I grew up with them and have, like many in my age bunch, been riding accident-free for over 50 years. The secret is assuming you're invisible to all, keeping your bike well-maintained and never outdrive your headlights, eyesight or skill. Also, don't drink and drive.
Idaho is a good place to be if you need a kidney transplant. You see, there is no helmet law here and there are lots of people riding donorcycles without one. Only have to wait a year for a nice, fresh kidney since its former owner wrecked his bike.
I work in emergency medicine. If everyone rode donorcycles it would be a fair fight on the roads. Not everyone does, however, and I refuse to get into a road fight with something larger, helmet or not. Even riders who wear helmets suffer some of the most gruesome injuries imaginable.
The human body will suffer injury when it impacts anything at greater than 3mph. Greater velocity = greater injury. Think about that.
I work on a military base that requires ‘light or bright colors and/or reflective material’ to ride on base.
I like to commute in a bright yellow long sleeve shirt and during the dark winter months I wear an ANSI approved reflective vest.
There’s reflective tape on my helmet and I’m toying with the idea of mast mounted strobes for the pre-dawn and post sunset commutes.
No, I haven’t considered NOT riding...LOL.
Rest In Peace Indian Larry
NO ONE ever intends to crash or get hurt thus the term “accident” of course but IMHO inexperience is key.......know what can and will happen if you push the press to test button on ANYTHING including an old strata blue 1998 Harley Fat Boy !
Never rely on others to follow the rules of the road, posted stop /yield signs etc ......... and look at everything as the potential hazard it is.
I wear leathers, gloves, helmet etc when I get time to ride but that is my choice. I experienced road rash at an early age and learned what it is and in my older age I am a safety poster boy due the simple fact I don’t heal up as fast as I used too !
I peeked at Exiles (Russell’s) new Trike the other day 60K with paint and 45k without paint. Think I’m gonna save 15k and get 20$ worth of Krylon Black and finish my life riding on 3 wheels just like I did as a two year old on my old tricycle......:o)
I always get a kick out of mototcycle cops handing out no-seatbelt tickets.
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