Please RIDE SAFE!

[rforsythe]

At this morning's CDOT/CSP Motorcycle Safety news conference, we learned that 2008 set an all-time record for motorcycle fatalities in Colorado, at I believe 98 deaths. The season hasn't even really gone full swing yet and there are already 14 this year.

Channel 7 News was there filming, and Mike Landess was one of the speakers so I am hopeful it will be aired this evening and help raise some awareness to cagers as well, but the issue is shared by both riders and cagers alike, so please THINK about what you're doing out there! So many wrecks could be avoided with some situational awareness and knowledge of how to handle the bike. And on that note...

ABATE is starting up an MSF-sanctioned, sportbike-specific advanced rider course that I think will be very beneficial; Terry will be posting up details on that separately, but they are going to also be giving CSC a big discount to get signed up for the upcoming class in May. I'm also hoping to incorporate these training opportunities into more CSC-related events in general, but this will be the first chance to check it out and give them good feedback. I also spent a while this morning learning more about the class (and will be again in the next couple weeks) and it should really be a useful thing.

[Snowman]

Did they have a breakdown of the fatalities, such as age, type of bike etc…?

[Matty]

thanx for sharing.

[64BonnieLass]

Good deal Ralph. Thank you.

Also, if it airs tonight, can somebody record it?

I hope it's a safe summer for every one. :)

[Squisha]

Did they have a breakdown of the fatalities, such as age, type of bike etc…?

I too would be interested in the specifics. Though the message is certainly received!

[Snowman]

Yes, the average experience level of the riders would indicate whether things like riding courses do save lives. I would suspect that the majority of the fatalities were from those who only had the basic course and never took an advanced course of riding.

[salsashark]

I too would be interested in the specifics. Though the message is certainly received!

+1 and +1

My thoughts were how many of those fatalities were due to people seeking relief from the pump and buying bikes as a means for more economical transportation. I keep thinking about that guy on the scooter how died last year at Parker & Quincy. Did they include scooters in the statistics?

I think a SB specific MSF course is a great idea. Very obvious when I jump on my Dad's VTX and instantly hit the rev limiter.

[GixxerCarrie]

Here is the 9 news story....
http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=114353&catid=188

[rforsythe]

My thoughts were how many of those fatalities were due to people seeking relief from the pump and buying bikes as a means for more economical transportation. I keep thinking about that guy on the scooter how died last year at Parker & Quincy. Did they include scooters in the statistics?

AFAIK scooters are not included. That's a whole other group of dead people. Also the stats you seem to be after (i.e. "why do you ride") are not collected, so no there are no answers there.

From the 9News article:
"Officers say almost 70 of the riders killed in fatal crashes in 2008 were not wearing a helmet or wearing it incorrectly; 34 percent were under the influence of alcohol; 39 percent did not have a motorcycle endorsement and the rider was at fault in about 80 percent of crashes."

Also the CDOT rep commented on the age groups; the 45+ group represents the highest number of deaths, BUT the 18-35 group was increasing the fastest of them all. It's impossible to read the "why's" into just that information so I won't even try, but it's interesting information nonetheless. I don't know if they currently keep statistics on types of bikes in crashes. I owe the CSP bike unit captain a phone call, so I will ask him more about it later and see what I can determine (or maybe this is something they can add).

[Snowman]

According to the article…
70 were not wearing a helmet or wearing it incorrectly.
33 were under the influence of alcohol.
38 did not have a motorcycle endorsement.
78 the rider was at fault.

[Sean]

Good post Ralph!

I'd love to take another class. You can never have to much education when it comes to riding. And wear the gear people!

[MetaLord 9]

Unforutnately that sounds like a high proportion of these fatalities came from the cruiser community as many of the over 45 group tend to prefer cruisers (with helmets optional) to sportbikes. Either way, we all need to watch our asses out there because awareness is priceless and you can't plan for stupid.

Ralph, details on the course would be helpful so please sticky that thread when it comes out. Have you heard much about it? At which skill level will it be aimed (i.e. mid level rider, novice who's gotten some miles since the BRC, high experience, etc.)? While I still benefited a great deal from the Experienced Rider Course that several of us took part in last year, the entire course was basically the BRC but on my bike. Thanks!

[2009RavenR1]

This is misleading. However all motorcycle deaths are sad, the fact is the PERCENTAGE of fatalities is falling. 2008 also reported a record number of bike regs. in CO. Still be safe and watch ur butt.

[rforsythe]

Unforutnately that sounds like a high proportion of these fatalities came from the cruiser community as many of the over 45 group tend to prefer cruisers (with helmets optional) to sportbikes.

Perhaps, though I'm hesitant to assume. Also the quickly rising 18-35 group suggests the trend may be shifting.


Ralph, details on the course would be helpful so please sticky that thread when it comes out. Have you heard much about it? At which skill level will it be aimed (i.e. mid level rider, novice who's gotten some miles since the BRC, high experience, etc.)? While I still benefited a great deal from the Experienced Rider Course that several of us took part in last year, the entire course was basically the BRC but on my bike. Thanks!

I will definitely sticky it. It's an advanced course that will cover more techniques specific to sportbikes and geared towards the way they handle. Green novices will likely not get as much out of it, though as long as you're comfortable with riding the bike it should be fine. I'll post up more about the actual curriculum once I've seen it.


This is misleading. However all motorcycle deaths are sad, the fact is the PERCENTAGE of fatalities is falling. 2008 also reported a record number of bike regs. in CO. Still be safe and watch ur butt.

There's nothing misleading about it. The number of dead motorcycle riders on the highways this year is the highest on record, which is what I posted. I don't care if we had a higher number of regs or not, the fact is we also have the most advanced gear and the best rider training available to us that we ever have, which means the message isn't getting out as much as it should. Rider-induced wrecks/deaths happen because of stupidity, ignorance, or apathy, nothing more. With the resources available to riders these days, less people should be dying plain and simple.

[rforsythe]

Excuse me, 16 deaths so far this year.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=114329&catid=346

[2009RavenR1]

The message must be getting through... A SMALLER PERCENTAGE of deaths have been occurring since 2002.

[Mizzybeff]

This is really great message and I won't ride unless wearing a helmet and protective gear. Not only would someone i know not let me ride with them unless geared up but personally I wouldn't even try it without gear.

[rforsythe]

The message must be getting through... A SMALLER PERCENTAGE of deaths have been occurring since 2002.

114 people didn't get the message since Jan 1st of last year. I'm not trying to split hairs with you on this, and I see your point. Mine though is that percentage notwithstanding, the quantity of dead people in bike accidents is going up, so something is not happening here.

[Ricky]

114 people didn't get the message since Jan 1st of last year. I'm not trying to split hairs with you on this, and I see your point. Mine though is that percentage notwithstanding, the quantity of dead people in bike accidents is going up, so something is not happening here.

Yeah, but you can guarantee the quantity of riders has gone up too. You can't look at just quantities for that stuff. There's more riders, which inevitably leads to more accidents and deaths. You have to look at the ratio of riders to deaths, not just deaths this year vs deaths last year. Hell, even the population of our country has gone up, which leads to more drivers, which can ALSO lead to more motorcycle deaths.

[Pandora-11]

The good news for CSC is that even for total newbs like me, unschooled in the art of motorcycle riding, and approaching the ride, that you all have done a more than adequate job of making it clear that equipment is necessary and not optional. That alone should make you all proud of the fact that you reduce deaths everyday for even the most casual potential rider who tunes into the forum. I say "Good work".
How many Harley riders zip up and down Hwy 24 on a daily basis without helmets?
They obviously are not getting the word out.

[asp_125]

It's all just statistics. Depending on how you look at the data you can draw different conclusions. The underlying fact is that riders are still dying, regardless. The military has stepped up with their sport bike program on bases, for that I applaud their attempt to be proactive. Perhaps it's time the civil side took notice. We've already had a few of our own post up about crashing this season.

[MikeG]

Here's the Colorado Statistics
this site is very informative, I've used it as a reference for my term paper on motorcycle helmet use:
http://www.dot.state.co.us/trafficsafety/most/stats.cfm

[dapper]

Perhaps, though I'm hesitant to assume. Also the quickly rising 18-35 group suggests the trend may be shifting.

Interesting info.
Thanks for taking your time to participate and post this thread.

Since you might be calling the csp anyways.
Could you request for them to break the age groups up a bit. A 35 year old shouldn't be compared with the maturity of a 18 year old.
Maybe 18-24 and 25-35 would be a better breakout than their current system.

Just a thought... :D

[MikeG]

Could you request for them to break the age groups up a bit. A 35 year old shouldn't be compared with the maturity of a 18 year old.
Maybe 18-24 and 25-35 would be a better breakout than their current system.

+1
that is a terrible way to break down age groups, I've thought the same exact thing as I've been working on my term paper. The breakdown you suggested would be a more appropriate way to determine trends.

[= Buckeye Jess =]

Yes, a sad but important post to read. I know for sure that I'll be signing up for that class if it is going on while I'm home!!

[Casper]

Back in Illinois at SIU in Carbondale (as well as several other locations throughout the state), there was a very popular FREE non-profit MSF basic rider course. I got out here and found the same course for $300 something... for a weekend course, that certainly gives college tuition a run for its money and I can understand some new riders being discouraged. Is there any alternative to high cost around here?

[BeoBe]

Great post, and yea be safe out there guys.. theres enough people out there that wanna kill you as it is

[pilot]

It's all just statistics. Depending on how you look at the data you can draw different conclusions. The underlying fact is that riders are still dying, regardless. The military has stepped up with their sport bike program on bases, for that I applaud their attempt to be proactive. Perhaps it's time the civil side took notice. We've already had a few of our own post up about crashing this season.


Very true and thanks for making mention of this. The military is very concerned for the safety of our soldiers, and specifically in this case, the Marines. You can see that the course is not limited to sportbikes. To the contrary, all riders are welcome to participate. American Legion magazine will be doing a full story on this training and sending it out to 2.5 million members in the near future.

This is our second week out here on the west coast and believe me, it is not all beach, bikes and babes. There is a lot of sweeping of sand off the range, too! Somebody send me a new pair of gloves:):)

Ralph, thanks for taking the time to go to the CDOT/CSP meeting and providing us with this information.

[pilot]

Back in Illinois at SIU in Carbondale (as well as several other locations throughout the state), there was a very popular FREE non-profit MSF basic rider course. I got out here and found the same course for $300 something... for a weekend course, that certainly gives college tuition a run for its money and I can understand some new riders being discouraged. Is there any alternative to high cost around here?
In Nevada the BRC is $100 and the ERC is $50. Go figure, same M.O.S.T. certification courses as recognized by most states in the Union.

[kawasakirob]

The MSF course does work. But how many people, after riding the 125's in class with full gear, will show up to their favorite hangout, and get heckled by the "bro's" about their bike and over use of safety gear. After riding 500mi or close to it, they are experienced riders. Time for an upgrade. 750lb. cruiser, 1000cc sportbike...hop on! It also seems alot of people already have their bikes picked out before they even are enrolled for the class. Their are many fingers that can be pointed, but what it comes down to is knowledge. Knowledge people do not recieve withour proper guidance.