Posted in Wing World by: Jim Culp, Former Rider Educator for SC-A

When are you most “At Risk” to crash?

When asking the question “When are you most ‘at risk’ to crash?”, several possibilites come to mind….

Dawn or dusk conditions?  Those are potentially dangerous times but, again, what am I thinking.

Riding in heavy traffic?  Another potentially dangerous time but, again, not what I was looking for.

Riding in the mountains with all the curves and stuff?  Possibly a dangerous time, but no.

Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of motorcycle crashes (90% according to the Hurt Report conducted in the 1970’s) occur within the first hour of riding.  More interesting, however, is that 90% of the crashes happen within the first 6 minutes!  That’s, of course, also why most crashes happen within 5 miles of home.

Two main factors involved in these crashes are ATTENTION and CONCENTRATION.  That’s because, as a whole, we as humans don’t readily transition ourselves from one activity (like being at home or at work) to another activity (like riding a motorcycle).  So how focused can we be on the inherent hazards of riding when we are still waking up or thinking about problems at work?

That’s why becoming an ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) rider can be so valuable.  In my case, I have to go get the motorcycle key from the key box, take my riding suit off its hanger and put it on, put on my gloves, put on my helmet, take my gloves back off so I can fasten my helmet, put my gloves back on, walk out to the bike, take my gloves back off so I can un-zip my riding suit to get to the key that’s in my jeans pocket, etc., etc.

Yes, I’m a goofball who can’t remember to keep my keys out (I doubt that I’m alone here).  The point is that all these small steps take some time.  During that time, I’m unconsciously getting myself ready to ride.

Being ready to ride and having my head “In the game” helps me to ride more safely.  Are you consistently taking all the steps necessary to make yourself ready to ride?

THE “INVISIBLE” MOTORCYCLIST“I NEVER SAW HIM.  He came out of nowhere!”  Those are probably two of the most common statements heard at a collision between an automobile driver and a motorcyclist.  And they’re usually statements made by the operator of the auto because the motorcyclist is unconscious (or worse).

As riders we wonder, “How can they NOT see us? Are they just not looking?”

A lack of attention on the part of the driver does explain some of the car/bike collisions; the distracted driver (due to cell phones, unruly children, etc.).  All these can contribute: however, some responsibility belongs to the motorcyclists as well.

I know, I know.  That’s hearsay but let me explain.

• Motorcyclists make up 3% of the “normal” traffic flow.
• People “see” what they expect to see: things like cars and trucks.

Unless the rider does something to visually stand out, he or she can be easily overlooked.  After all;

• Motorcycles, because of their smaller size, are much harder see than cars/trucks.  A motorcycle can easily be “lost” in the background, even with headlights on.
• Many motorcycles are colors that lend themselves to blending into the environment, particularly dark-colored machines (black after all is the color of the pavement).
• Many motorcyclists wear dark-colored helmets (or no helmets at all) and dark-colored clothing.  A number of studies in the US and abroad have shown that a light-colored (white, silver, yellow) helmet is more noticeable (during daylight hours) than a dark-colored (black, dark red, dark blue) helmet.  Why?  The driver sees this brightly colored “orb” floating above the traffic (most riders heads are higher than the hood/windshields of cars), so it’s different.
• Lastly (and sadly), most motorcyclists are not skilled in emergency maneuvers.  Over 13% of the motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes made no effort to avoid the collision.  They didn’t brake, they didn’t swerve; they just rode right into the collision.  That’s because after many have gotten their license, they don’t practice those kinds of maneuvers regularly (or ever).  Motorcycling is a skill.  It takes practice.

So how can you NOT be the Invisible Motorcyclist?

• Position your bike so it can be seen and identified in the traffic stream.
• Wear bright colors.
• Consider getting a brightly colored bike.
• PRACTICE your emergency maneuvers!

Also you can take the advice I once got from a very experienced rider.  He told me not to “ride like I was invisible” but rather to “ride like they can see me and are actively planning to do something to take me out.”

Kay Zetkin – April 22, 2005

Safety in riding motorcycles in order to prevent injuries is a very critical issue especially during the peak of motorcycle season. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons is very much concerned about this issue since there are almost always a lot of motorcycle accidents happening, at least one every few days. Most injuries noted from the people brought in the Level One Trauma Units range from serious musculoskeletal injuries, open fractures and head traumas from motorcycle accidents.

The increasing accidents are linked to the increased number of motorcycles on the road. Records show that since 1997, motorcycles sales increased by more than 90%. Last 2001, motorcycles represented only 2.2 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States and accounted for 0.34 percent of vehicle miles traveled. However, crashes involving motorcycles accounted for 7.6 percent of total traffic fatalities on America’s roadways. As recently reported by the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2002 there were 42,815 fatalities from motorcycle accidents. What’s alarming is this is the highest level of fatality report since 1990.

While some accidents cause injuries or lifetime paralysis, some result in fatalities. Thus, these incidents should be a constant reminder for motorcyclists to protect themselves.

According to Maureen Finnegan, MD, professor at the University of Texas and orthopedic surgeon at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, most motorcycle injuries involve the extremities and the spinal cord. Majority of fatalities are results of head injuries. Thus, she said that the most important tip for motorcycle safety is to wear a helmet. Wearing helmets are estimated to be 29 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries and 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries for motorcyclists. Another thing is the wearing of proper clothing in riding and of course, really learning how to ride a motorcycle and handle certain situations throughout the ride.

Here are other helpful tips in preventing motorcycle injuries:
 

• Get professionally trained in motorcycle riding. Research shows that more than 90 percent of all riders that were involved in crashes are just self-taught or taught by friends.
• Secure your license to drive. Nearly 27 percent or one out of four motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes in 2001 was not properly licensed.
• Do not drink and ride. Those most at risk in getting into accidents are inebriated motorcyclists.
• Use helmets that meet the DOT (Department of Transportation) standards.
• Wear protective clothing this includes goggles or sun shades for eye protection, jacket, full- fingered gloves, long pants and over-the-ankle boots.
• Make sure that your motorcycle clothing and gears are made of abrasion-resistant material, such as leather. Avoid loose, flailing clothing that could impair your vision.
• Wearing brightly colored garments may help other vehicles see/notice you.
• Proper maintenance and monitoring of your bike is of high importance. Observe proper lane positioning of your bike to further increase your visibility to drivers. Keeping a “space cushion” between your bike and other traffic should also be kept in mind.
• Avoid sharing a lane with a car since its driver may not expect you to be there or may not become aware of your presence. Most drivers look out for other bigger vehicles and they may fail to notice you instantly unless something has happened already. 

Ride according to your skill level.  Never overestimate yourself.