They're out to kill us...

[Black Dog]

Here in Wisconsin, there have been many stories on the news and in the paper, the past few weeks, about the number of motorcycle deaths...  Sort of goes along with Britman's post earlier...

This story (from the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinal) has garnered a lot of attention.  Abate of WI is using this case to bring attention to the fact that bikes are everywhere, and folks just gotta start being more aware...

(snip)

Woman charged in death of motorcyclist

A 28-year-old woman who police say lost control of her car while arguing with her husband and hit a motorcyclist was charged Wednesday with homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.

The accident, which killed Robert Perkins, 54, of West Milwaukee, occurred shortly before noon June 27 on northbound Highway 45 at Mayfair Road.

According to a criminal complaint, Jason Baertlein told police he and his wife, Centurie Baertlein, were arguing as she drove north on Highway 45. He said he was reaching to turn up the radio in order to drown out her voice when she swerved into the center and then left lanes. The car bumped an SUV in the left lane, then swerved to the right, striking Perkins.

Centurie Baertlein told police she thought her husband was reaching for her, and she moved her body away from him when she jerked the steering wheel and hit the SUV.

If convicted, Baertlein faces up to 10 years in prison.

(end snip)

Then ya have riders like this guy (again, the story is out of today's Journal/Sentinal), that make a bad name for all bikers.  Here in WI, it's not uncommon to read about drivers being pulled over for their fourth, fifth, sixth, even ninth OWI...  It takes killing someone, to get these drunks off the road...

(snip)

74-year-old falls off cycle, gets OWI charge
By Jacqui Seibel of the Journal Sentinel
July 8, 2009 


Waukesha -- A 74-year-old Wauwatosa man was charged Wednesday in Waukesha County Circuit Court with his fifth drunken driving offense after he fell off his motorcycle.

Kurt Czerwenka was revving his Harley-Davidson in front of the Butler Inn Tuesday night when a police officer attempted to get his attention because of the noise. When Czerwenka turned around to look at the officer, he fell to the ground along with the bike, according to the criminal complaint. He was not seriously injured.

Czerwenka refused to participate in any field sobriety tests because he said he was drunk and he knew how it worked, the complaint says.

Czerwenka remains in jail on $2,000 bail and a $2,500 signature bond. He faces up to six years in prison.

He was convicted of drunken driving in 1991, 1997, 2004 and 2008, the complaint says.

A hearing is scheduled for July 27.

(end snip)

Lets ride like we're invisible everyone 

Black Dog

[Serk]

Lets ride like we're invisible everyone 

I like to take that a step further... I assume I'm invisible to 90% of the cagers out there... And the other 10%, I'm VERY visible, wearing a bright blaze orange vest, and those 10% got outta bed that morning with the thought "I think I'll kill a motorcyclist today..."...

And you don't know who's who... Ride accordingly...

[JimL]

These stories a good reminder that we must be constantly on guard while on the road and be prepared to take evasive action.  Which reminds me that it is a good idea to take the Experienced Rider Refresher Course periodically which forces us to refresh our skills on evasive techniques.

[humshark]

Here in Wisconsin, there have been many stories on the news and in the paper, the past few weeks,

After moving here to TN from the Milwaukee area, I find it interesting the differences I have encountered.

Wisconsin seems more "motorcycle conscious" overall.  I have often wondered if it is Harley's heavy presence that has helped shape that, or if there is a different root cause.  Either way i noticed many more stories about motorcycles and cycling in general while living in Wisconsin.

Since living in TN, I have really had a couple of close calls with cagers.  Each time, spidey senses were active and helped me avoid potential bad situations.  Here's the real charm since moving to TN however.  After a close call, or an event where I am forced to tap my VERY LOUD horns, the drivers here act like it's MY fault and get REAL jerky.

In Wisconsin, most drivers would wave, or shake their head or give you some other indication of "my bad" glad to see you now! type of indication.

Anyone else experience this?

[~ Timbrwolf]

.....hey Dog


....I can feel alot of...negative vibes...commin offa ya....me thinks ya been takin too many hits from the...civilized world...as of late...


......Doctor Timbr prescribes a weekend up in the Hinterland....you know...woods...great roads....good friends.....sitting out by a lake so damn big ...it looks like the ocean....and a big ol glass of.....Johnnie Walker ? ...I beleive that,s what it was last time...



.....but I,ll just write down.....mega dose of....being in the wind with friends...


......see that prescription through.....cuz Im thinkn you,ll definitely be needin....a "follow up".. 

[stude31]

I agree I have had three friends rear ended or t-boned this year....  One of them is a fellow valk rider...  I had an old apartment neighbor who was a retired veteran got killed while going to the VA to work.   He wasn't wearing a helmet and his head was the first part of his body to hit the ground.   I feel really bad for him.  He was a super nice guy.  He volunteered his time to his brothers at the VA and looked forward to hopping on his Harley and heading off to to see his buddies. 

He was a motorcycle enthusiast, and loved all kinds of bikes.   He would see me cleaning my bike and would stop by and visit and even asked if I needed some help cause I had been out there all day polishing up the black paint.   I would always hint to him that, "Hey Ron I have an extra helmet that would fit your big ole nog'n".  But, he would always politely decline and say, "No thanks, I have rode without a helmet for 25 years I will be fine".   Well he was about 2 miles from his place on his way to work when an elderly lady pulls out in front of him and hits his front wheel with her bumper and he goes down.  I was beside myself when I got word of the passing of Ron. 

Rest in peace Ron...  I will always treasure our conversations.   I don't push wearing helmets to strangers but if your a friend of mine I want you to wear a helmet cause I want you to live if you go down.  I am not saying you can't die if you wear a helmet but you can greatly reduce the chances...   

My mom's boss just died from a motorcycle wreck that caused him to swerve to avoid an animal and lost control of the bike and he dismounted the bike and hit a tree.  He had no broken bones but massive swelling on the brain that caused him to be in a coma state for three weeks and then he had a stroke and died a week ago.  He had lived in Nebraska for most of his life and he just moved to Kansas (no helmet law), 8 months ago.  He was 56.   

I am not for more laws.  But, I just plead for all of you to consider your family everytime you hop on your bike.  You are entitled to make your own decision but the final decision may be forced to your wife, parent, or kids.  When and if you go down and you are brain dead and their are no signs of life.  They have to live with pulling the plug... I want to ride my bike and I know the risks but I know that my risk of death is greatly reduced if I wear a helmet.   

Ride safe and watch out for cagers!!!

Stude31

[Black Dog]

Serk...  You're correct, we've got to be responsible for our own safety.  Driving around the big city (Milwaukee) is something I only do if I need to.

Jim...  I've been telling myself that I need to get into a 'refresher' course.  We all can develope a few bad habits, or get a bit too comfortable in our own ability.

Humshark...  Just last night, there was a story on the news, about how an Insurance Industry study said WI had some very good drivers (Milwaukee 19th in the nation, and Madison was 13th).  That may be true, but when I see the 17 year old 'Prost a tot', texting, her right foot up on the dash, as she zips past me...  The 20 something guys, in a 'stump jumpin' pick-up, blasting through the last bit of a yellow light...  The business man, with the computer on the consol, getting ready for his 'important' meeting (while sipping his StarBucks).  The stressed out mom, with a cell phone glued to her ear, with a car load of screamin' kids...  Like I said...  They're tryin' ta kill us 

Stude...  Sorry for the loss of yer buddy.  That sucks.  Stay safe my friend.

Dr. Timbr...  Your diagnosis is right on the money    Work has been suckin' all the bark outta this ol' Dog.  I need some pine sented air, and the sound of da 'Big Lake', lappin on the shore    The sound of a few cubes of ice, muffled by a couple fingers of fine Scotch, would be the music to sooth this soul.  Steve K and I will be headin' up, early Friday, come hell or high water (lots of the wet stuff started out last years ride).  Can't wait to see you, Chilli, and the rest of Michigans Misguided.

Be safe everyone.

Black Dog