In one study I already linked, 53% of mc fatalities involved a rider not maintaining lane/speed control and impacting an object outside his lane.
well, you know what they say about statistics...
but seriously - i was on my bike entering a turn and on the “outside” of the radius when some nice fellow in a car coming the other way went wide and forced me off the road whereupon i ventured thru someones front yard making various modifications to their garden while managing to stay upright, i was able to somehow get back to the road and survive. point is, if i had hit a wall or something and got killed, it would have looked like a single person accident (like your statistic) on paper because the other guy was long gone and probably unaware that he had even nearly killed me.
and yes, there was much changing of undergarments subsequently...
There is enough blame to go around concerning fatalities. As a now ex-MC rider, I can attest to the fact that I quit riding because of automobile operators (ran off the road twice by oncoming traffic). A good friend of mine is dead because of a cage operator, hit head on. Yet, I also acknowledge that I deserve to be dead about 3X’s because of my own stupidity, but for the grace of God I’m here to inject myself into a pretty heated debate.
As to the original argument, the noise of bikes on the road and the “safety factor”, I consider it a subjective argument. I will say I consider it a nuisance and at times, a startling distraction, especially when the rider decides it’s time to crack the throttle wide open when right next to me in traffic.
But I also don’t see the need for any more laws on the matter either. I don’t know that there is any quantitative/qualitative data to prove the issue either way.
All I can say is “watch out for the other guy”. Vehicle operators of all types should always have their heads on a swivel, and as an ex MC rider, I always look out for them (MC riders). But I also shake my head in amazement at the brazen and obnoxious riders as well. Been there.
http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/index.php?q=2009_Motorcycle_Deaths_California
Motorcycle fatalities continued to spiral upward from 518 in 2007 to 560 in 2008.** Motorcycle fatalities have increased 10 consecutive years and are at their highest level since 1990.
Total motorcycle registrations increased 7% from 772,524 in 2007 to 824,244 in 2008. (DMV)
In 2008, the under age 20 age group had the largest increase in motorcycle fatalities (up 57% from 13 in 2007 to 30 in 2008 with the second highest increase seen in the over age 59 age group which increased 44% percent from 32 in 2007 to 57 in 2008.**
In 2008, 37% of motorcycle operators killed were not properly licensed – up from 36% in 2007.**
Between 2002-08, 60% of motorcycle operators killed under age 25 were unlicensed.**
Of the 560 motorcyclists killed, at least 12% (68) were un-helmeted. Since helmets are about 39% effective in preventing fatalities, NHTSA estimates that 26 of the 68 un-helmeted motorcyclists killed would have survived had they worn a helmet.**
In 2008, 70% of motorcycle operators killed were at fault and 58% of motorcycle operators injured were at fault.*
The percent of motorcycle operators killed with a BAC =.08+ increased from 24% in 2007 to 26% in 2008.**
Super sport motorcycles, defined as consumer versions of the motorcycles used by factory racing teams, account for 14% of the registered motorcycles in California, yet the 211 super sport drivers and passengers killed in 2008 accounted for 38% of the 560 motorcyclists killed in California.**
Between 2002-08, 44% of Super Sport motorcycles that were fatally crashed were less than a year old, compared to 37% Other Sport, 28% Cruiser, and, 34% Touring motorcycles.**
Between 2002-08, 44% of Super Sport riders killed were not properly licensed, compared to 32% Other Sport, 24% Cruisers and 19% Touring motorcycles.**
Between 2002-08, 86% of Super Sport motorcycle fatal crashes were “speed related”, compared to 57% Other Sport, 40% Cruisers, and 39% Touring motorcycles.**
Between 2002-08, 66% of Super Sport motorcycle operators killed were between age 21-34.**
*Data Source – Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)
**Data Source – Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
http://www.ots.ca.gov/OTS_and_Traffic_Safety/Report_Card.asp
http://trafficsafety.org/safety/sharing/motorcycle/motor-facts/motor-injuries-fatalities
The studies that I have seen indicate the most common element of motorcycle fatalities is: owning a motorcycle for less than six months and not having a motorcycle endorsement on their license. (yes you need a seperate license to drive a motorcycle for those in rio linda)