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.
Part of my commute is through a very busy section of an interstate. I quit riding to work solely because in that section, the drivers aren't paying attention to anything jumping in and out of lanes. Loud pipes should save lives, and I have them, but on this road it doesn't really matter as the drivers aren't paying attention at all.
I think to begin with, Wisconsin is probably one of the states that “sees” motorcyclists and bicyclists more than others (as indicated in the graph, “one of the lowest”).
It used to be said Wisconsin is the only state you can ride across on a bicycle trail. That may still be true.
I see couples not wearing helmets on cycles all the time and although I do admit it is their choice to wear one or not; riding motorcycles with a woman on back is like classic cars in the summer; a lot of the appeal is to the eye, to say cosmetic, but I think it is overtly dangerous to not wear a motorcycle helmet.
Check out pictures where helmets are not used, they are extremely grisly. I’ve come to the conclusion that a man doesn’t care about the passenger on the motorcycle if the passenger is not wearing a helmet.
... Save for a few jaunts in a neighborhood itself without helmets may be safe enough, but not anywhere where there is substantial traffic.
... But it looks cool!
Please cite your source. In my experience, people who die from traumatic brain injuries - especially (and unfortunately) young ones - are the prime source of organ donations. What ER do you work in?
I see lots of traumatic injuries from auto accidents but most are survivable. I see lots of very gruesome injuries from MC accidents and the worst ones I don’t see because they go right to the county morgue.
Sorry, you just can’t get around those pesky laws of physics.
Right on. They've been waiting forty years to "harvest" me. I'm going to make 'em wait a little longer.
I've got a R1100S I need to wear out first...
Fact: Reckless drivers exist among both automotive and motorcycle riders.
For me, the concept of riding a bike among cars and trucks is like bringing a knife to a gun fight.
I do see a lot more of the little scooters around. Perhaps that's leading to more full size motorcycle sales as well. I'm sure they're popularity is due somewhat to the great mileage that they offer. A lady down the street, (I'm guessing in her 40's), just bought a chopper.
I had a scooter many years ago. It was a blast to ride. I never wore a helmet and luckily never had an incident where I wished I'd had one.
If I rode one today, I'd probably wear a helmet. The scooters are smaller so keep your eyes open folks.
OK, I thought about it. How fast do you drive your car?
Funny thing is that I don’t get the tailgaters on my 1700 that I do on my 1000.
I don’t like tailgaters, I don’t stay in the blindspots, I make myself visible, and I always look for the dumbass that can’t/won’t see me.
No garantees, mind you.
There's another thread about a gal who wrecked her pa's Porsche, doing 100 mph . She lost her head, literally.
The California Highway Patrol leaked the crash scene photos. Not a pretty sight.
I drive my 1 ton pickup truck as fast as conditions allow. It has lap and shoulder restraints and an airbag. Plus I’m surrounded by 3 tons of “cager” material.
Ever seen a motorcycle with those features?
Yeah, scooters get something like 4500 miles to the pint or something like that.
Mine gets about 47 mpg average. But I can’t put it in my backpack and carry it to class.
With some vehicles the airbag is behind the steering wheel instead of inside the steering wheel.
Traumatic injuries to the human body that occur at high velocities are rarely a pretty sight. Drive - or ride - carefully and it won’t likely happen.
Be a fool and I’ll see you in the ER.
"But, officer, I didn't see him!"
This is almost always a lie, and I have proof. Well, anecdotal evidence, anyway.
When I lived in AZ I rode a lot (on a candy-apple red Harley FX), and one day some guy tried to run me off the road, so after that I decided to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights while riding.
After strapping on a stainless steel revolver, suddenly EVERYONE in car was courteous and respectful, and never once was my right of way challenged.
People can't see a 600 lb. bright red motorcycle, but they sure can see 30 oz. of steel on your hip!
A friend of mine tried the same thing with the exact same results.
I think you mean “airhead” don’t you?
Do you mean, you don’t think you can effectively lock it up?
The biggest "I don't care" statement is the rider who allows his wife/girlfriend/floozie to ride wearing shorts. A high speed bug, or a piece of gravel will shred the skin down to the muscle, cause an abrupt reaction/distraction and momentary loss of concentration which could ultimately toss both of you as fast as being t-boned by a drunk.
I truly believe you.
Just as some drivers of huge SUV’s develop a ‘screw you I’m bigger’ attitude, some cagers have the same damn attitude no matter what they drive.
Just sold my Suzuki SV650. Bought it when I was 49, crashed it the third day when a van did a U-turn in front of me and I over-braked. Put another 450 miles on it, then decided I didn’t like riding around paranoid all the time. Now I have a fast road bicycle. At least I’m on the side of the road and not competing with cars. Good exercise too.
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