Bend, Oregon MB.fatality, no helmet

[HoughMade]

I will agree that speed is not as much of an issue so long as the bike is properly put together. You make a good point that depending on where you ride, too slow can be more dangerous.

 

[Hawaii_Ed]

I've got many years of ER/Paramedic backgroud. I have seen cases where the helmet would have helped, and I have seen some where all it did was leave a pretty face for the viewing. I have seen deaths on pedal bikes as well from no helmet. Myself and my son always wear one, it gives you a better chance. But if you get hit car vs bike at 60, you do not have much chance either way.

The largest percentage of motorcycle fatalities are young riders, single vehicle accidents, meaning some 20 year old jumped on a sport bike, lost it, and killed himself. Older riders tend to be more mature and responsible, but there is a trend in recent years of over 40 riders with over 1000cc machines dying more.

Motorized bikes 'mostly' eliminate the single vehicle deaths with low-speed. Our biggest threat is getting hit by a cager, either through their negligence our ours. I've ridden MC's over 25 years now, and power/manuverability has saved me many times. MB's do not have the power to get out of the way, but rolling faster in traffic is a help.

I do not see the over 40 MPH as a dangerous pursuit, it is obviously safer on a 35 MPH road to be able to keep up with traffic than be doing 20MPH and have all the cagers whizzing by. To me, each car that passes me is one more chance I might get hit.

There are 73 to 85 million bicycle riders in the US, including 44.7 million over age of 6 who rode more than six times in 2008.

698 bicyclists reportedly died on US roads in 2007.

In a typical year over 90 percent of cyclists killed on US roads die in crashes with motor vehicles.

The "typical" bicyclist killed on our roads is a sober male over 16 not wearing a helmet riding on a major road between intersections in an urban area on a summer evening when hit by a car.

About 540,000 bicyclists visit emergency rooms with injuries every year. Of those, about 67,000 have head injuries, and 27,000 have injuries serious enough to be hospitalized.

Non-helmeted riders are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than helmeted riders.

Head injuries account for more than 60 percent of bicycle-related deaths, more than two-thirds of bicycle-related hospital admissions and about one-third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycling injuries.

A very high percentage of cyclists' brain injuries can be prevented by a helmet, estimated at anywhere from 45 to 88 per cent.

Direct costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $81 million each year, rising with health care costs.

Indirect costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $2.3 billion each year.

Helmet use in the US varies greatly in different areas and different sectors of our society. White collar commuters probably reach 80 per cent, while inner city kids and rural kids would be 10 per cent or less. Overall, our best wild guess is probably no more than 25 per cent.

Bicyclist deaths in 2007: 698 (Down from 773 in 2006)

Bicyclist injuries in traffic in 2007: 43,000 (Down from 44,000 in 2006)

Average age of a bicyclist killed on the highways: 40

Average age of a bicyclist injured on the highways: 30

Bicylists 15 and under killed: 107. Injured: 12,000

Bicyclists 16 to 34 killed: 163. Injured 16,000

Bicyclists 35 to 54 killed: 262. Injured 10,000

Bicyclists 55 and older killed: 4,000

 

[machiasmort]

Put into context of this site, I am overwhelmed by the age of our Brothers ridding motorised bicycles deceased at 50 and above due to accidents. Not often you hear of younger guy's... I would and want to wear a helmet but the problem is that it attracts more attention here. Long sleve (heavy weight) and long pants ect. are essential.

I like Hough's idea w/kevlar. Could probably find some at a sewing shop and sew your own renforcements.

 

[arceeguy]

From what I've seen and heard they only mention helmets and seat belts when there's a fatal accident and somebody ISN'T wearing one. They never EVER print "This dude plowed his sedan into a tree doing about 40mph. Police say he was wearing his seat belt at the time but he later died in the hospital from internal bleeding." They just don't mention the safety stuff at all since they have a (revenue raising) agenda.
There was a bad accident on the news somewhere near boston where 2 SUV's rolled on the highway and all 6 or 7 people died on the scene. They made no mention of seat belt use most likely because they were in Massachusetts and all of them were strapped down in fear of getting a ticket. They were doomed regardless, it's all chance. Banning top heavy SUV's would have saved their lives more than seat belt laws.
If you want to wear protective gear, good! But if you don't who's the granny state to say you have to? What ever happened to people being self reliant and responsible for their own actions. With some of the people I meet every day I wish darwin would start removing bad genes from the pool in a hurry.

I agree - nanny state laws plain suck. I wear a bicycle helmet on my MB, and a MC helmet on my MC. BUT, I don't want laws forcing people to do what I think is right. If someone else wants to ride without, then they should be free to do so!

You know, I bet we can save some lives if we mandated helmets in cars. Along with airbags and seatbelts, helmet use would be a great supplement! (I know, don't give them any ideas!)

As far as "banning top heavy SUV's" - I disagree. Those people that want to drive a SUV like a Porsche deserve to flip them over. Like you said, Darwinism at work. Problem is that other innocent bystanders will get hurt too.

 

[Porkchop]

Here in South Carolina, the laws are funky in my opinion. Helmets are not required. They lifted the required motorcycle helmet law about 20 years or so ago. If you're inside an automobile, you have to wear seat belt, but you can ride in the bed of a pickup truck without a helmet or any type of restraint, so you can be thrown out and about like a rag doll. Makes no sense to me, I don't make the laws, I just abide by them. My favorite though is one day I saw a flat bed truck coming down the road. It had a sofa on the back of it, not tied down what so ever, with a man sitting on it. Go figure ! One turn just a little to fast and he and the sofa would be history. Anyway, I wear bike helmet, kevlar gloves, knee pads, elbow pads and safety glasses.

 

[Silvaire]

Bicyclist deaths in 2007: 698 (Down from 773 in 2006)

Bicyclist injuries in traffic in 2007: 43,000 (Down from 44,000 in 2006)

Average age of a bicyclist killed on the highways: 40

Average age of a bicyclist injured on the highways: 30

Bicylists 15 and under killed: 107. Injured: 12,000

Bicyclists 16 to 34 killed: 163. Injured 16,000

Bicyclists 35 to 54 killed: 262. Injured 10,000

Bicyclists 55 and older killed: 4,000

********************************

Ed,

Thanks for posting these enlightening stastics. It certainly gives one lots to think about regarding their own approach to personal safety.

The last stastic you mention seems a bit off though. From simple arithmatic of the totals presented, the last line should probably read:

Bicyclists 55 and older killed:166. Injured 4,000"

Still, a very significant number...

 

[Hawaii_Ed]

And I just happen to be 40

 

[Happy Valley]

A guy got killed and I want to say rest in peace. Condolences to his family, loved ones and friends and that they find solace and a way to get through.

Linked below is a follow-up story to this tragedy and either directly or indirectly it puts the focus square on motorized bikes. Most states that have a moped law have legal definitions, requirements and regulations on speed. My home state is fairly simple, helmet and mirror, top obtainable speed of 30 and top operating speed of 25.

Those who think speed is not a factor flies in the face of every LEO's opinion.
The arbitrary rationale that keeping up with automobile traffic on a MB is safer, places one directly in the same jurisdiction and legal requirements as those automobiles. You essentially become a motor vehicle operator and logically lose any co-existing status that might be inherent operating a bicycle. The future status of MBs rests in the balance. Speaking for myself, if I had to dice it up with cars at 40+ on a MB, I'd either find an alternate route or another method of getting there.

One other point I want to touch upon is that there are many young or underage and impressionable members and non-members reading here. I'd hope this site and it's mature members reflect a safe and responsible approach to MBs, for general well-being but also for the future of our interests.

Below is the story but the link also contains a newscast video that speaks volumes.

http://www.ktvz.com/Global/story.asp?S=10720943&nav=menu578_1

Deadly collision puts focus on gas-powered bicycles

When a car and bike crash, it's no surprise that cars rule the road. However, some riders are stepping up their game, by adding gas or electric motors to their set of wheels.

"Well, I've seen a lot of sketchy stuff out there - people are just trying to do it, and trying to have fun," Sterling McCord, owner of Bend Electric Vehicles, said Tuesday, in the wake of Monday night's deadly crash between a customized, gas-powered bicycle and a motorcycle.

McCord says if not put together by a professional, motors on bicycles can be bad news.

"I mean, it's dangerous because you're on the road, where you weigh a couple hundred pounds, you and your vehicle," he said. "And everyone else in the street is 2,000, 5,000, 6,000 pounds. So you're at a huge disadvantage - a huge disadvantage."

Bend police and fire medics were dispatched just after 7 p.m. to the reported crash at the intersection of O.B. Riley Road and Empire Avenue, said Lt. Ken Stenkamp. An Oregon State Police trooper assisted police in providing first aid until medics arrived, Stenkamp said.

Bicycle rider James William Gardner, 54, was taken to St. Charles Medical Center-Bend with serious head and leg injuries, and later died of those injuries, Stenkamp said, adding that Gardner was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Motorcycle operator Paul Czmowski, 41, and passenger Deanna Czmowski, 38, also of Bend, were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and later treated and released, officials said.

An investigation determined that the motorcycle was northbound on O.B. Riley Road, behind a Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep turned right onto Empire Avenue and the motorcycle continued north on O.B. Riley, Stenkamp said.

Gardner, who was westbound on Empire, pulled into the motorcycle's path, Stenkamp said.

Speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash, Stenkamp said in a news release.

Officer Dan Ritchie says while the motorcycle had the right of way, no charges are expected to be filed.

However police are not sure if Gardner broke any laws. That's because for each vehicle you put a motor on, whether it be a bike, skateboard or scooter, there are different rules that apply. For example, the driver may need a special registration or insurance to operate the vehicle.

Police say it looks like Gardner added the gas motor to his bike himself.

"It looks like it was a makeshift gas-powered engine, adapted to the bicycle, so I'm not sure whether it would classify as a moped," Ritchie said.

Ritchie says the bike could also classify as a scooter, so they can't say if the operator broke any laws, other than not wearing a helmet.

One woman who witnessed the crash got very emotional, saying she couldn't believe what had happened right in front of her.

"I saw the motorcyclist behind me, right as I was turning," said Carly Cordes of Bend. "And when I turned, I looked over and saw a motorcycle hit a guy on a bike heading south. It was bad."

Cordes said it was a sight that was hard to believe and even harder to watch.

"It was horrible," she said. "It was hard to see, I panicked, I didn't know what to do. I got on the phone and called 911 as soon as possible."

Cordes said the impact of the crash was unbelievable: "The motorcyclist hit the bicyclist
head-on, and they all went flying."

The crash closed both lanes on Empire Avenue as police conducted their investigation.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Self reliance is a wonderful thing, and "manny-state" laws can be very obnoxious.

So, in the interests of self-reliance, and removing the nanny-state requirements, lets do this instead.

No helmet or protective gear, no emergency medical response. If you can crawl to the hospital under your own power after the accident, fine. If you bleed out from a depressed fracture of the skull and torn scalp wounds from hitting the pavement helmetless, the cause of death is listed as suicide.

 

[arceeguy]

Self reliance is a wonderful thing, and "manny-state" laws can be very obnoxious.

So, in the interests of self-reliance, and removing the nanny-state requirements, lets do this instead.

No helmet or protective gear, no emergency medical response. If you can crawl to the hospital under your own power after the accident, fine. If you bleed out from a depressed fracture of the skull and torn scalp wounds from hitting the pavement helmetless, the cause of death is listed as suicide.

I guess the same could be said for anyone riding a bicycle on the same roads as automobiles. Even with your helmet, you'll need to crawl to the hospital under your own power. If you don't make it, they'll bury you in your helmet. My point here is that a lot of things we do are inherently carry more risk than other things. Should we ban things because they are more risky? Or should we allow people to take the risks (like riding a pedal bicycle in urban traffic) and accept the consequences should something happen.

In any case, it is clear from that news link that he did die from head injuries. A helmet may have prevented his death.

Problem is that the media and police are clearly making a big deal about the fact that it was a motorized bike - even though the same accident could have happened with a pedal bicycle. It looks like a HuaSheng 4 stroke frame mount kit. So does this mean that the company that manufactured the kit will now get sued? What about the distributor that sold the kit, will his @ss get sued too because the driver hit a motorcycle head on? Will the nanny state govt simply ban motorized bikes because they think they are dangerous? Or will they regulate them out of existence.