Unfortunately, we have a few threads on this topic, all with some good info. And I have no idea how to consolidate them. So in the hopes this does not get buried, figured I'd start a new one.
Back on Mar 4 I sent an email to the AMA on this topic, per this thread:
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,75999.msg745983.html#msg745983That email is repeated below:
"As an engineer with over 50 years and around 300,000 miles on motorcycles, I am angry and appalled at the proliferation of hi tension cable median barriers. I have spent days doing research, and it appears no singular state-based study has concluded these are sufficiently dangerous to motorcycles to limit their continued installation.
Basically, the dangers to motorcycles are dismissed as "more study needs to be done", while every day hundreds of miles more are installed. It is a given that the barriers pretty much solve the problem of autos and trucks careening off road and causing carnage with oncoming traffic; and they are cheaper than any other system. The fact (just read some European studies) that they are extremely deadly to motorcyclists seems to fall into the category of "a few must suffer for the good of the many", with apologies to Mr Spock.... We continue to set up motorcyclists to be killed as sacrificial lambs so more distracted drivers can live, while many places in Europe are actually removing these killers from their roadways.
My apologies, but this sucks.
Does the AMA have a stance on this topic? Is there an action group? While fighting against motorcycle only checkpoints for loud mufflers is a worthy and commendable endeavor... the rapid continued rampant installation of these "cheese graters" continues un-abated, and if you ride long enough, will eventually affect you, or someone you know.
Please. Tell me what can be done. How can individuals help. I am active on several motorcycle forums, and this topic is one of energetic concern on all of them.
Help. Please." Received an answer back about a week ago. It appears it initiated some action, however minimal:
"In response to your email, the AMA sent a letter to the Federal Highway Administration..."Full response below:
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Thank you for contacting the American Motorcyclist Association to inquire about the use of cable barriers. Please forgive the delay in responding. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concern.
Department of transportations from various states consider cable barriers effective in reducing crashes on high-speed roadways (particular head-on crossover crashes) where medians are narrow. Further, when compared to other barrier construction methods (concrete Jersey barriers, W-Beam, etc.), cable barriers are said to be less expensive to install and maintain.
The AMA shares your concern with the expanding use of cable barriers. In response to your email, the AMA sent a letter to the Federal Highway Administration to make them aware of recent studies conducted by Virginia Tech on road barriers. The studies, authored by Dr. H. Clay Gabler, identified the number of fatally injured motorcyclists increased by 73 percent from 129 to 224 from 2000 through 2005. Additionally, another study by Dr. Gabler, “…determined that the probability of severe injury in a cable barrier crash is greater than the probability of severe injury in a collision with a concrete barrier, but approximately the same for collisions with W-beam guardrails.”
Dr. Gabler also determined that, “Guardrail collisions pose a substantially greater risk for motorcyclists than do concrete barrier collisions. The fatality risk in motorcycle-guardrail collisions is 12%. The fatality risk in motorcycle-concrete barrier collisions is 8%.”
Reducing crashes involving motorcycles and decreasing the number of motorcycle operators and passengers injured or killed each year is a top priority of the AMA. Through a comprehensive approach of promoting rider education, using personal protective equipment, increasing motorist awareness, improving the safety of riding surfaces and discouraging impaired motorcycle operation, the AMA seeks to enhance motorcycle safety for transportation and recreational activities.
Therefore, the AMA strongly recommended to the FHWA to consider reviewing Dr. Gabler’s reports. With the safety of motorcyclists the utmost priority of the AMA, we are willing to work with the FHWA and other stakeholders to help make a highway motorcycle-protection system a reality.
Again, thank you for contacting the AMA. I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Rick Podliska
Deputy Director, Government Relations
American Motorcyclist Association
101 Constitution Ave., NW Suite 800 West
Washington, DC 20001
1 (202) 742-4302
rights. riding. racing.
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Good news is that they at least contacted the FWHA (Federal Highway Administration) about this travesty. Unfortunately, Mr. Podliska did not indicate if this topic had been brought up before; I would have hoped so? More importantly (I think), he did not indicate what...happens...next. I intend to follow up with him in few weeks and see what needs to, or can, happen next.
It would prolly be a good thing if he heard more voices. I would like to ask everybody reading to please contact Mr. Podliska and voice your concerns; cut and paste parts of my email, mod as you see fit, everything would help. First, or second hand accounts of carnage resulting from these things would, I think, get some attention. As an engineer, I find it ...implausible... that the use of cheese graters results in only a 4% greater fatality rate for motorcyclists.
When you hit and become entangled in the posts or the wires, going from 60 or 70 or 80 mph to zero almost instantaneously will more than likely result in you becoming another statistic about how dangerous motorcycles are.
Please - just do it. The life you save may be your own. :'(
