Cycle Fatality Stats

[NITRO]

Interesting statistics. With our first kid making his arrival in about a week, it makes me question why I ride all over...

http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2009/motorcycles.html

[fudgie]

Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths

So I have a 63% chance of surviving without a helmet? 

Reading thru it seems more deaths with helmets. 

[fudgie]

Interesting statistics. With our first kid making his arrival in about a week, it makes me question why I ride all over...

http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2009/motorcycles.html

Never question. Your more apt to get in a car accident then on a bike.
Put your car seat in the middle of the seat.....................

[FLAVALK]

It's normal to think that way, I did when my kids were small. Then I came to the conclusion that when it's you time, it's your time. Don't matter if your riding a bike or a donkey or sitting on the couch...... However, you may expedite the process by having no respect for life and keep pushing the envelope in everything you do. The good lord will give you an occasional pass, he certainly has me, but after that, yer on yer own 

[GreenLantern57]

How many accidents were caused by cagers?  Did I miss that one?

[Duckwheat]

Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths

So I have a 63% chance of surviving without a helmet? 

Reading thru it seems more deaths with helmets. 

Did you skip math Fudgie? I will try to explain it to you. Out of 100 dead guys, 37 of them would have lived with a helmet. The other 67 are still dead. Being without a helmet did help you.

The overall number of total dead has not risen much on annual basis since 1975. I would be willing to bet there are a lot more bikes on the road now vs 1975.

DW

[RoadKill]

Life is too short. Ride or stay on the couch..Either way it's gonna end. crap happens, and EVENTUALLY it will happen to all of us. I'd rather go out knowing I LIVED life rather than not 'living' just to prolong the inevitable. I intend to make the most of the short time I have

 Riding makes me alot more bearable to every one else too!  

[Willow]

Interesting statistics. With our first kid making his arrival in about a week, it makes me question why I ride all over...

It's a legitimate question, but make your decision based on what's real.  That piece presents some valid statistics, but it's much more propaganda than simple information.

Accept that riding a motorcycle in traffic is much more dangerous than negotiating the byways on four wheels.  Air travel, incidentally is even more safe.

Decide whether you can accept the perceived risk for the known benefit.  Make the best decision you can and no one will think the less of you.  Well, I guess we can't really speak for everyone, so we can't promise no one.

Life is terminal.  No one gets out alive.

Someone once used a clever line in a movie.  "Every man dies.  Not every man really lives."

[NITRO]

Interesting statistics. With our first kid making his arrival in about a week, it makes me question why I ride all over...

Someone once used a clever line in a movie.  "Every man dies.  Not every man really lives."

Too bad that guy you're quoting is an anti-semite!

I get what you're all saying. I won't stop riding, but it does make me question it for sure. I'll likely slow down a bit and save my highway pegs in the process.

[NITRO]

How many accidents were caused by cagers?  Did I miss that one?

Look for the single/multiple vehicle stats. Not all mutliple vehicle accidents would be caused by the cage, but I would be willing to bet that most are.

[Duckwheat]

Quick search, in 2000 over 13,000 people died from falling. That is worse than riding a bike.

So no one get on a ladder or use stairs, they were the most lethal.

DW

[MacDragon]

We, as Valk riders, represent 44% of the total deaths with Cruisers over 1400cc... at least it's less than 50% ... the other 56% are smaller rides.
Cruiser/standard 0-1000cc 380 26% 10001-1400cc 424 29% 1400cc>645 44% 1,463 total.
Not overly comforting... but I can live with it.

[DarkMeister]

Looking at the breakdown by age, methinks most of us in this forum are safe.

[x]

Interesting statistics. With our first kid making his arrival in about a week, it makes me question why I ride all over...

It's a legitimate question, but make your decision based on what's real.  That piece presents some valid statistics, but it's much more propaganda than simple information.

Accept that riding a motorcycle in traffic is much more dangerous than negotiating the byways on four wheels.  Air travel, incidentally is even more safe.

Decide whether you can accept the perceived risk for the known benefit.  Make the best decision you can and no one will think the less of you.  Well, I guess we can't really speak for everyone, so we can't promise no one.

Life is terminal.  No one gets out alive.

Someone once used a clever line in a movie.  "Every man dies.  Not every man really lives."

And to add... how situationally aware are you?  You can ride a long, long time by seeing and anticipating... there are many bikers with 500K miles and more without a crash... it has to be more than 'luck'.
 
Sidenote:  My wife rode all over the mountains in North Vietnam... did great... doesn't want to ride in Singapore traffic... I agree with here... she does not have enough situational awareness to be really competent in urban traffic... and you need to be really competent.
 
The wife in Vietnam: 

[Willow]

Looking at the breakdown by age, methinks most of us in this forum are safe.

That could be a bad guess.

 

[Daniel Meyer]

Thirty percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2009 had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08 percent; in single-vehicle crashes this was 42 percent.

Fifty-four percent of motorcycle drivers killed at night (9pm-6am) in 2009 had BACs at or above 0.08 percent.

Don't drink and ride.

[Kaiser]

Did you skip math Fudgie? I will try to explain it to you. Out of 100 dead guys, 37 of them would have lived with a helmet. The other 67 are still dead. Being without a helmet did help you.

The overall number of total dead has not risen much on annual basis since 1975. I would be willing to bet there are a lot more bikes on the road now vs 1975.

DW

DW - just to bust your chops, 37 + 67 does not equal 100.  Who skipped math? 

FWIW, just yesterday I pulled some stats for our county here in FL.  Since 2005, there has been an average increase of 10.2% per year in motorcycle registrations.

[Kaiser]

NITRO - I was asking myself the same question a while ago and got some excellent responses from the VRCC community.  You might want to read this thread when you get the chance.

And CONGRATULATIONS on the baby!

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,20755.msg180046.html

[Quicksilver]

If the question is, are you more likely to die or be injured in a motorcycle accident than in a car accident, we know the answer is yes.
The number of accidents will likely increase with the number of riders, of course. The demographics for the age of the population in the US, show that there has been a substantial increase in the number of people over the age of 50 in the last 5 years. These people are the ones who can afford larger motorcycles, and have more free time for recreational riding. It is not surprising then that motorcycle accidents are increasing in number and killing more riders in the 50 plus age group. Harley Davidson sells over 200,000 machines a year, over 5 years thats a million new machines on the road added to all the years before. If we just look at numbers we can say it's a lot safer riding a Valkyrie than any HD. There are far fewer accidents each year with Valkyries. It must simply be the skill level and maturity of those who ride such a fine machine.

[Jay]

Quick search, in 2000 over 13,000 people died from falling. That is worse than riding a bike.

So no one get on a ladder or use stairs, they were the most lethal.

DW

So, how many of these people were drunk?   Were they wearing a helmet?

[Duckwheat]

DW - just to bust your chops, 37 + 67 does not equal 100.  Who skipped math? 

Duly noted

[alph]

So, you're telling me I’m on my own this summer?  First those two dogs of yours, now a kid!! 

When you were single, boinking all those hoties, there was the fear of catching AIDS.  When you were riding to work in the dark, I would often get worried about you hitting a deer.  Since you're a teacher, I’m worried about that one psycho kid with a gun.  When you get older, it'll be something like cancer.  There will always be something that will threaten your life. 

After watching my father die of lung cancer, I would rather die of a heart attack, or a cycle accident, any day.

[Alaskamike]

This is an interesting thread (since I'm under the weather today - have time to read and goof off!)
It is an issue I have thought about many times.  Riding a bike these past 40+ years I have had a few close calls.  Not only that, but recently my wife of 40 years has decided she wants to ride her own, and get off my back   (got her a trike) and also my 32 y.o. son is getting a bike in the Spring.  My 28 y.o. daughter got a bike last year, and several friends in their 50's and 60's have begun riding again after many years off a bike - somewhat due to wanting to tour with us.
          I tell all of them the same things

1.  Riding a motorcycle is dangerous.
 
2.  You can mitigate somewhat that danger by
     
         Practice riding ALLOT.  I am convinced that occasional riders, those who run to the store once in a while, leave the bike sit for months at a time, and end up with 3,000 miles on a 5 y.o. bike are always going to be at great risk on the road
         NEVER assume what any other vehicle is going to do, no matter what their turn signal says (you can guess how I know).  Drive like everyone is out to kill you.
          If you are new, and riding with experienced people,  still ride at your skill and comfort level.  Just because a group of bikers pass a semi on a blind curve, doesn’t mean you have to ‘catch –up’ with them and prove anything.  Wait to pass till you are safe and comfortable.
3.    Remember riding is a SKILL.   Many of us take for granted adjusting to road conditions, hard breaking, controlling a slide,  powering up out of a curve;  but new riders have to learn these things till they become second nature.   

Finally, many years ago I moved to a State that had mandatory rider’s endorsement on licenses and even though I’d ridden all my life I had to take the advanced course and pass a riding test.   I was frankly appalled at the skill level of the riders there.    But, I met two guys taking  the course in their late 70’s riding full dressed out Wings.  They told me they take the course every year just as riding season opens up to freshen up their skills and get comfortable on the bikes again since they take a long (2,000mi+)  trip together every summer.  I tell ya, that makes allot of sense.  I really respected those two crusty ol’ men.

I ride because I love it.  I know it’s dangerous (see #1).  My kids know they will have to pry the grips out of my old wizened hands If I am blessed to live that long.   Life is a risk…. Only God knows our end.  In the meantime, I’m gonna ride!
         
         
         
 

[FLAVALK]

Interesting statistics. With our first kid making his arrival in about a week, it makes me question why I ride all over...

It's a legitimate question, but make your decision based on what's real.  That piece presents some valid statistics, but it's much more propaganda than simple information.

Accept that riding a motorcycle in traffic is much more dangerous than negotiating the byways on four wheels.  Air travel, incidentally is even more safe.

Decide whether you can accept the perceived risk for the known benefit.  Make the best decision you can and no one will think the less of you.  Well, I guess we can't really speak for everyone, so we can't promise no one.

Life is terminal.  No one gets out alive.

Someone once used a clever line in a movie.  "Every man dies.  Not every man really lives."

And to add... how situationally aware are you?  You can ride a long, long time by seeing and anticipating... there are many bikers with 500K miles and more without a crash... it has to be more than 'luck'.
 
Sidenote:  My wife rode all over the mountains in North Vietnam... did great... doesn't want to ride in Singapore traffic... I agree with here... she does not have enough situational awareness to be really competent in urban traffic... and you need to be really competent.
 
The wife in Vietnam: 

You nailed it, situational awareness is key. To have it is to avoid most accidents. Not to say you won't have any, but you will certainly minimize the chances

[GreenLantern57]

Wonder how many of the ones over 40 were on a bike for the first time ever?  Friend of ours was going through the empty nest syndrome. Went all out and bought a Road King, HD - chaps, jacket, gloves, helmet.  You know,the whole deal. Never had a motorcyle before, rode that summer 4 times and sold the whole thing 4 months later. Glad they sold  before they became a statistic.

There is a lot to be said for experience.

[NITRO]

Besides actually riding, I realized that there's much more to being a Valkyrie owner. Working on my cycle, meeting other Valkyrie folks (and riders in general), seeing new places, enjoying time together with my wife on the back, meeting new people when buy/selling parts, and so many other great experiences. It is these things that are just as important as riding itself.

I spent time thinking tonight about all of the experiences and friends I wouldn't have without my Valks. Hell, I even made the connection that I wouldn't have a pasta roller if it wasn't for the Valk (thanks Alph!). So I guess if it's dangerous to ride, then so be it. I'll do what I can to sway the stats in my favor.

[alph]

I even made the connection that I wouldn't have a pasta roller if it wasn't for the Valk (thanks Alph!).

Still waiting for that Fettuccini Alfredo dinner!! (Chris makes the white sauce just like my father use to)

By the way, got a new recipe for pizza dough, what cha doing this weekend???  Nick says it's awesome!!  This dough doesn't work well for panzerotti's, still working on that one.....  I’ll have to modify the old recipe.

[MP]

Yeah!  What Alph said, Nitro!  How come when we were all there to eat at your place, you did not use the homemade pasta?  LOL   

Am awaiting news on your new addition!  Just a couple weeks to go!  Good luck to Steph and you!

MP

[Fathertime]

Interesting statistics. With our first kid making his arrival in about a week, it makes me question why I ride all over...

Someone once used a clever line in a movie.  "Every man dies.  Not every man really lives."

Too bad that guy you're quoting is an anti-semite!

  And that has WHAT to do with the thread?

[alph]

  And that has WHAT to do with the thread?

that's just what we normally do around here!!   we'll take a guy's threat, then turn it into a food argument, like, who's father makes the best pasta sauce, or who's going to hell, or is it the republicans fault, or the democrats!!   

then it turns into a name calling free for all!!  saying something to degrade the author, and put down his up bringing.....  making fun of his cycle 'cause it's not the pretty color scheme of black and red...... and then the serious insaults such as, "your mother rides a v-twin....." or "your daddy drives a davidson!!" those are some lowwww blows buddy!!  i'll tell you!!  those hurt!!!

(by the way, this is all typed with tongue in cheek.....)

what were we typing about?????

[Alaskamike]

democrates....... I think.....

[Rocketman]

They told me they take the course every year just as riding season opens up to freshen up their skills and get comfortable on the bikes again since they take a long (2,000mi+)  trip together every summer.  I tell ya, that makes allot of sense.  I really respected those two crusty ol’ men.

I'd need a refresher too, if my riding seasons were one month every two years or so like ya'll...

Seriously:
That sounds like a good idea.
To address the study/conclusions:
Statistics are VERY easy to manipulate, and very hard to understand.  Whenever human factors come in, they become even harder.  Every human is different, every crash situation is different, and every pre-crash (or pre-avoided-crash, for that matter) is also different.  People with an agenda (pro-helmet, anti-helmet, pro-motorcycle, anti-motorcycle, pro-all-black, pro-two-tone) can take any data and make a statement about it that makes it sound like it supports their position.  In order to form an opinion, you need more than just the "sound bite", or "data bite".  You need the whole story, and an understanding of the limitations of the data.  Very few people have that kind of time to devote to a particular issue, so we ask for someone to analyze it for us and boil it down, but the cost is that we very likely end up having even less understanding than we did before, because we have just as little actual knowledge, but now we THINK we know!

To boil THAT down:
5 out of every 4 people don't understand statistics.

EDIT:  It's even worse than I thought.  Now that I look at the link, I see that they didn't make any attempt to qualify results with the most basic of mitigating factors.  They point out that deaths in large displacement motorcycles is rising, and show zero deaths in >1400cc for the year 1985.  How many production motorcycles could you buy in 1985 with a displacement >1400cc??  How about miles ridden in any of those situations that they point out?  Experience as a mitigating factor?  I could go on and on, but when they don't even use the first order data of motorcycles registered to qualify results, I stopped caring what they said.
I hate when studies try to read too much into insufficient data.