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Motorcyclists make up a high percentage of the fatalities on the road. Motorcyclists are more likely to be injured in a collision.
Of interest to myself, as an older rider, is the following: There seems to be a "V" shape to the over-all data. Both young, novice riders (aged 16-25) and, more recently, older riders (aged over 40) seem to make up a higher percentage of the collision data. I have heard several theories on this data, and one particular theory stuck in my mind: There are more "novice" riders in both categories. When you think of the younger riders, this seems obvious. While I know that many riders over 40 may have had their licences for a long time, the skills, road conditions and bikes have changed, and so have the physical attributes of the older rider. In addition, many new riders in this age group are taking up the sport for the first time. While we may have been driving for a long time, riding is a separate skill. Safety skills are learned, not on paper, but in the real world. Skills must be practiced in order to be used effectively. Safety is as much an attitude as it is a skill that you can never stop reviewing and practicing. I would suggest that this data is useful in reminding us of the basic premise of safety. You can never be too safe, and you can never forget that safety should be your first priority. There are so many ways to enjoy the sport of motorcycle riding, I hope we all can continue to enjoy it for a long time to come. Canada British Columbia ICBC Traffic Collision Statistics ICBC Traffic Collision Statistics - 2007 Alberta Government of Alberta - Ministry of Transportation Alberta Traffic Collision Statistics - 2008 USA NHTSA - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration US Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration Motorcycle Safety Information Washington State - Traffic Research and Data Center Washington State - Motorcyclist Fatalities Washington State, 1998-2007 Oregon Department of Transportation Motorcycle Safety Information Idaho Transportation Department Idaho Traffic Crashes - 2008 Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Facts Studies Motorcycle Accident In-Depth Study (MAIDS) The full study is available online at www.maids-study.eu/ and requires you to go through a free sign-up process. Study Review - Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine The 'Hurt' Report (1981) Hurt Report Review - Web Bike World Animals present another challenge to motorcylists. I am interested in particular because I am a touring rider. I have enjoyed some wonderful rides in the evening and night time, and have always been keenly aware of the danger which animals present. While I must say that I have had a couple of close calls with our four-legged friends, I have not yet had a serious incident. I have included some references below as an understanding of the risks, challenges and reality may be of use to riders. Animals: British Columbia Conservation Foundation Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions Washington State Deer and Elk Vehicle Collisions - 2008 Wisconsin Department of Transportation Motorvehicle - Deer Crashes 2008 Deer Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse Motorcycle Cruiser article
Motorcycle Statistics and Resources
Here are some links to information on motorycle collisions, data, statistics and references which may help you to understand the nature of the current road and safety environment. While the specific data changes over time, there are some things that seem to remain the same:Motorcyclists make up a high percentage of the fatalities on the road. Motorcyclists are more likely to be injured in a collision.
Of interest to myself, as an older rider, is the following: There seems to be a "V" shape to the over-all data. Both young, novice riders (aged 16-25) and, more recently, older riders (aged over 40) seem to make up a higher percentage of the collision data. I have heard several theories on this data, and one particular theory stuck in my mind: There are more "novice" riders in both categories. When you think of the younger riders, this seems obvious. While I know that many riders over 40 may have had their licences for a long time, the skills, road conditions and bikes have changed, and so have the physical attributes of the older rider. In addition, many new riders in this age group are taking up the sport for the first time. While we may have been driving for a long time, riding is a separate skill. Safety skills are learned, not on paper, but in the real world. Skills must be practiced in order to be used effectively. Safety is as much an attitude as it is a skill that you can never stop reviewing and practicing. I would suggest that this data is useful in reminding us of the basic premise of safety. You can never be too safe, and you can never forget that safety should be your first priority. There are so many ways to enjoy the sport of motorcycle riding, I hope we all can continue to enjoy it for a long time to come. Canada British Columbia ICBC Traffic Collision Statistics ICBC Traffic Collision Statistics - 2007 Alberta Government of Alberta - Ministry of Transportation Alberta Traffic Collision Statistics - 2008 USA NHTSA - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration US Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration Motorcycle Safety Information Washington State - Traffic Research and Data Center Washington State - Motorcyclist Fatalities Washington State, 1998-2007 Oregon Department of Transportation Motorcycle Safety Information Idaho Transportation Department Idaho Traffic Crashes - 2008 Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Facts Studies Motorcycle Accident In-Depth Study (MAIDS) The full study is available online at www.maids-study.eu/ and requires you to go through a free sign-up process. Study Review - Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine The 'Hurt' Report (1981) Hurt Report Review - Web Bike World Animals present another challenge to motorcylists. I am interested in particular because I am a touring rider. I have enjoyed some wonderful rides in the evening and night time, and have always been keenly aware of the danger which animals present. While I must say that I have had a couple of close calls with our four-legged friends, I have not yet had a serious incident. I have included some references below as an understanding of the risks, challenges and reality may be of use to riders. Animals: British Columbia Conservation Foundation Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions Washington State Deer and Elk Vehicle Collisions - 2008 Wisconsin Department of Transportation Motorvehicle - Deer Crashes 2008 Deer Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse Motorcycle Cruiser article
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