There seems to be a rash of motorcycle accidents lately. Two fatalities were reported in the Texarkana Gazette. A third death is reported in the Daily Tribune from Morris County. In the two wrecks reported in the Gazette, it appears that the bikers had very little opportunity to avoid the crash.
Many non-riders are quick to tell us how dangerous motorcycles are. There are some added dangers, being on two wheels and not surrounded by metal. Are we taking foolish risks with our lives by riding? Of course not. Recreational activities are often more dangerous than sitting at home reading a book. Consider hunting, swimming, water or snow skiing, or any other physically demanding sport. Nothing worth doing is 100% risk free. With reasonable precautions, the rewards are well worth the risks.
I hope that if I’m called home earlier than expected, that my friends will go on the rides we used to take and take me with them in their thoughts and memories. I hope they go to some of the places where I did something silly, or had a little accident where nothing was hurt, and have a good laugh. And I hope they’re only a little sad, knowing that they made my life richer and that I loved them as much as they loved me. And I’ll be waiting for them on roads they haven’t ridden, with a bike gassed up and ready.
— Guy Wheatley
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:10 am
Having investigated crashes for about 20 years now, we are familiar with the causes of motorcycle crashes.
I’m here to tell you that most are avoidable.
Motorcycling should be about control, not chance, unfortunately, most haven’t been taught.
September 28th, 2009 at 12:12 am
Here’s my 2 cents worth about helmets. I started riding in Oklahoma in the 60’s when helmets were mandatory. I just got used to riding with a hard hat and when I started up again in the 2000’s it just seemed the natural thing to do. Being older than most riders now-a-days I still use one because my reaction time is a fraction of a second slower than the younger people. I’m not for or against helmets but think we should have a choice. We do in Texas and I still choose to ride with one. It may or may not save my life but it sure looks cooler than my bald head and doesn’t seem to sunburn and peel. vic